Living Your Truth: 5 quotes of MOJO for your Monday!

Check out these quotes about LIVING YOUR TRUTH, something we all want in theory, but don't always choose in reality.

Most people hate confrontation. 

If you're human, chances are you've given in to something you were against because you were in people-pleaser-mode, wanting to fit in, or trying to avoid upsetting the balance.

Sometimes we need to pick our battles. But there's a difference between finding a healthy compromise and selling yourself out. 

It takes courage to be true to yourself, especially when you know your path or opinion isn't popular. We waste SOOO much time wrapped up in what other people think.

When you live for others (in the sense that you're not being who you really are), you aren't living fully. 

As much as your EGO might enjoy the superficial approval of others, you won't be grounded in your own truth and will never experience real peace and fulfillment.

We learn as kids that bullies are the ones with the insecurity problem. As adults, the negative opinions and judgments of others are often more subdued. They can slip through the cracks and into our psyche if we're not careful.

As Gandhi said...

and...

So consider the opinions, advice, and guidance of others. Hear all sides and be open-minded, but listen closely for the truth within yourself.

You're the only one who gets to live your life. 

Might as well create one that's really true to who you are and what you believe.

VOTE NOW!!! 

Please vote in the poll to your right. Check the topics you're into & help shape the future of littlemissMOJO! 

XOXO

Have an awesome week!

COOKING UP SOME MOJO STEW!

Been a busy bee lately! 

Whipping up some major MOJO stew over here, including a 

littlemissMOJO! MAKEOVER

& a guest blogging spot on another fun site... 

so stay tuned for all that! 

Looking forward to sharing it all with you as soon as possible. 

In the meantime, enjoy more short and sweet posts...

... and PURDY PLEASE take a moment to VOTE 
in the 
POST PREFERENCE POLL 
to your right!!! 



Select as many as you wish.
And don't forget to...

THANK YOU!
XOXO

WORDS OF WISDOM

THE HOLSTEE MANIFESTO

MOJO MONDAY: You.Are.Amazing.

LOVE this little snippet I found on YourLifeYourWay, a great site full of inspiration and tips for living with more MOJO!... or as Tia Sparkles Singh calls it... SPARKLE.

Have a great week!!!

xoxo

MOJO MONDAY: Give yourself a SPIRITUAL MAKEOVER in 21 days!

No more excuses. Opportunity awaits...

Dr. Deepak Chopra, scholar, activist, best-selling author, and spiritual leader is offering a FREE 21-day meditation series through The Chopra Center. 

Starting July 16th, The Chopra Center will be presenting a new meditation exercise each day for 21 days. You'll get the downloads emailed right to your inbox when you register. 

It's the easiest way to test the waters if you've never practiced meditation before, and to commit consistently if you have. 

They say it takes 21 days to create a habit. This is one you want in your life. 

Trust me, I wasn't always this "gung-ho" about it. 

It took time, patience, and practice. But now I see significant shifts as a result, so there's no denying the impact. I want you to experience that for yourself.

I even feel the difference daily now based on whether or not I meditate. 

Don't have time? MAKE SOME! 

It's not about religion or subscribing to anything other than stepping up your MOJO (whatever that means for you).

It's like exercise for your mind-soul-spirit. 

You go to the gym to exercise your body. Why not meditate to exercise your brain? 

It's all about slowing down the inner monologue in our minds so we can process everything more clearly. 

Here are just a few benefits of consistent meditation:

1- mindfulness/awareness

2- decreased stress/anxiety, increased calmness/peace

3- clarity of thought/concentration/focus

4- increased energy

5- improved physical well being

6- increased creativity

Neuroscientists have proven that meditation actually changes our brain chemistry, causing positive shifts in how we process fear and anxiety. 

Check out these articles from Psychology Today and The NY Times for some interesting info on the mind-body connection and the positive implications of meditation.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

To start practicing before Monday, read my previous post on this topic and try these simple, guided mediation videos on YouTube. They just focus on relaxation and breathing, the foundation for any practice. You don't have to be a master to participate. 

I'll be starting this challenge next Monday... challenge yourself!

xoxo

Have a great week!

FUNK THAT! Top 10 tips for an instant mood makeover...

This post was inspired by the horrendously stressful morning I had yesterday, and my commitment to regain my MOJO and not let it ruin my entire day.

We all have those moments and sometimes it's easier to work our way out than others. It takes energy, focus, and motivation, which we usually lack when we're in that head space.

Surprisingly, sometimes we even find it easier to indulge our funk than put in the effort to get out. It's easy to get comfortable in a cycle of negativity. If you're prone to depression, that can be dangerous territory.

A bad mood can turn into a bad day, a bad day into a bad week, and pretty soon you're under the covers with a pint of Ben & Jerry's on a sunny summer afternoon. FUNK THAT shit!

Instead, rip off the bandaid and do what you've gotta do to get back to yourself... ASAP.

Here are my top 10 tips for an instant mood makeover... Comment below to share yours!

BAD MOOD BLASTERS
1- change your tune - Music feeds the soul. Put in your earbuds and listen to your favorite upbeat songs. You may not feel it right away, but keep listening and you'll find the switch hard to resist. Have a stash of inspiring go-to music on standby (or turn on Pandora - Bob Marley and U2 work or me.).

2- schedule a 30-minute massage - This was the turning point in my day. You can find virtually anything in Manhattan at any time. If you're at work, use your lunch hour to rejuvenate. If you can't find a massage place, try a nail salon... even a 10 minute hand/neck/foot massage can give you new life.

3- animals & babies - I can literally feel an instant physical change in my state when I pet a dog, or engage a smiling baby or playful kid. If you absolutely can't stand babies, kids, or animals, connect to something else that makes your heart happy. Otherwise, umm this blog might not be for you.

4- get outside of yourself (i.e., your head) by engaging in a focused activity. Sometimes we need to break a negative cycle of thoughts by putting our attention elsewhere. The idea is to get out of your head... just be careful not to become an escape artist who doesn't deal with their shit. It'll keep coming back up anyway.

5- go for a walk, preferably someplace serene and/or invigorating - the process of walking tends to clear the mind and gets the blood flowing. Just stay away from Times Square. Get moving, get present.

6- be nice - chances are if you're feeling shitty, you could use some compassion. The best way to get is to give. A lady complimented my sweater as we passed each other in the subway yesterday. So nice! I immediately smiled. Do the same for someone else - smile, say hello, offer a compliment (the non-creepster kind). Force yourself to engage someone else when you're feeling bleh. You'll take the attention off yourself and adopt a more positive attitude. (Ever notice how feeling shitty breeds more shitty happenings?)

7- meditate - I strapped on my headphones and did a 10-minute breathing exercise in the middle of Starbucks. No one seemed to notice and it was actually a great challenge to focus despite all the chaos around me.

8- exercise - spin class, an intense run, the batting or golf range, or even a brisk walk will get the endorphins flowing. Sweating out the stress feels great and gives you an immediate feeling of accomplishment. It also takes the focus from your racing thoughts to your body. Sex counts ;)

9- connect with nature - walk barefoot in the grass, lay under a tree, sit in the sun for a few minutes, look closely at a flower. It's impossible not to appreciate the beauty and calmness in nature.

10- phone a friend - call someone who will both support you and call you out on your shit. Good friends will listen without judgment and encourage you to dust yourself off... not allow you to go on and on with your sob story.

BONUS
11- treat yo'self - have some mac and cheese or a warm chocolate chip cookie (as I did yesterday), buy yourself some flowers or a fun magazine. Do not... I REPEAT, DO NOT indulge in irresponsible retail therapy. Sorry ladies (and gents). I'm guilty of it too, but it always comes back to bite you in the ass.


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Have an amazing weekend!

xoxo

Grow dammit!

AS HUMAN BEINGS, we all have the desire to do better... to be better.

For those of us who make the effort to open up, take a hard look, and gain awareness about ourselves, it's only the beginning of the process of change.

It took me ages to really get that for myself.

I used to think it was enough to be aware of the things I wanted to change.

That awareness is huge. Nothing can happen without it. 

Awareness leads to great insight. But it takes more than insights to create real change. 

It takes action. Not once. Not here and there. Consistent, persistent action. 

That was a tough pill to swallow as someone who used to be more of a thinker than a doer.

When it comes to personal growth, we're often tempted to get impatient, especially when we see something in ourselves that needs to change. 

Sometimes we pretend not to be aware so we can avoid responsibility (aka denial), even as that little voice in our heads is actively calling us out.

We want the instant gratification. Grow dammit!

But like everything else, it takes hard work. Persistent, consistent work.

It can be frustrating when a bad habit stubbornly lingers, especially after putting in the work to change it.

What you should know from the start is that certain tendencies and temptations may never go away. They'll always linger.

That's what makes us all imperfectly perfect.

The challenge is in choosing to indulge something better for yourself in those moments of temptation.

This applies to everything...

-physical habits like picking up that bag of chips

-thought habits like constantly thinking you're not good enough for XYZ 

-communication habits like talking shit about co-workers, family members, etc.

If you're really committed to changing something, get ready for battle, but know that the longer you stick to your guns, the stronger you'll be in the fight. 

And know the most important weapon in your arsenal is patience.

When we tend to ourselves with care and compassion, we're more equipped to put our best foot forward in whatever it is we're striving for. 

It doesn't mean letting ourselves off the hook. It just means not beating ourselves up, and choosing instead to own it, recommit, and move forward. 

Pretty soon you'll be looking back in wonder at how much you've outgrown that little ole pot you were planted in. 

MOJO NEWSFLASH!

***Tune in today at 2PM to hear my live interview on SpeakSpin Radio! If you miss it, you'll be able to download after. 

***Check out my new post about speechwriting for WORD-OLOGY!

Life Beyond The Box...

Next Monday marks a great milestone for littlemissMOJO.

I'll be interviewed on internet radio show SpeakSpin Radio about the basics of blogging.

I'm a little nervous but mostly psyched. Who knows where it could lead, but if nothing else, it'll be fun!

Stay tuned for details on how to tune-in live or download the recorded session afterwards.

I've never been on the radio before (internet or otherwise) and I wasn't sure I was ready to represent the blogging community being that I still feel like such a beginner.

Just a side effect of my dysfunctional perfectionist mentality that in the past has kept me from doing things unless I could do them perfectly. 

But I'm learning you've gotta start somewhere and it's ok to put yourself out there before you're an expert. 

THAT's the message I'll be driving home to potential new bloggers listening in on the interview.

I'm thankfully at a point where I'm more afraid of missing opportunities than failing at them. 

Taking action that forces you to do something you thought you couldn't is crazy empowering.

The feeling gets addicting and you start wondering what else you're capable of.

SO, where can you stretch your comfort zone this week?

Choose one thing you're afraid of or uncomfortable doing... then do it anyway.

TIPSTER: Telling someone else will hold you accountable and increase your rate of follow-through. And PLEASE share your mojo in the comments below!

It doesn't have to be big and it doesn't have to be perfect. The goal is to get thinking and living life beyond the box.

Why? Cause that's where all the really good shit happens.

xoxo

WORD UP!

Suffering a bit of writer's block the last few days. Usually stems from some form of life block or lack of motivation and inspiration.

In lieu of crafting words, here are some images of words randomly taken by yours truly throughout NYC.

They've already provided some much needed anti-funk juice for me. Hopefully they will for you!

Be on the lookout for words and images that inspire you. When your eyes are open, you'll find them everywhere.

under the Brooklyn bridge

on the east side somewhere

Huge wall of words at a Lululemon store under construction 

(think on the west side somewhere)

(same as above)

 Upper East Side 

xoxo

MOJO Mission: Parktivity

When I first created this blog, part of the vision was to share and promote great things being done out in the world through a little thing I call The MOJO Mission.

I'm very excited and very proud to introduce Parktivity to the MOJO mission stage!

It's not just a cool name, it's a nonprofit organization created less than a year ago by my good friend Emerson Sarmiento.

Emerson and I met in a leadership program last fall. The core component of the class was for each student to create a project in their community.

"Community project" was a loose term that really meant anywhere outside of yourself and anything from cleaning your garage to creating a nonprofit from scratch.

Emerson chose the latter.

He told me all about growing up in the Philippines with no parks or recreational areas to play in.

He described a concrete landscape without basketball courts or baseball fields, or places to play without cars passing by.

There were simply no public parks where kids could run around and... well... be kids.

There were no jungle gyms where parents could sit and watch their kids climb the monkey bars or fly down the slide.

Emerson's mission was clear - to bring playgrounds to his home town, and to underprivileged areas around the world.

Several months, endless work hours, and one team of relentlessly passionate people later, Parktivity was officially born.

I literally can't imagine what life would be like if I hadn't spent my youth playing softball on countless local fields.

I can't imagine what it would be like going to elementary school without the jungle gym in the courtyard, or summer camp without fields for kickball, soccer, and colorwar.

Imagine every memory you have playing on a playground as a kid. Now imagine a life without them.

Parktivity's mission is to build neighborhood playgrounds so that kids everywhere can live out the true spirit of being young and having fun. They also want to foster creativity beyond the playground by building volunteer-based programs around sports, art, and dance. Amazing!

The goal of Parktivity parks is keep kids at the playground and off the streets by giving them a place to do what all kids are meant to do... play!

Check out Parktivity's cool video snippet below and come out next Thursday for Parktivity's official launch party!! Get your tickets here.

The event will be held at Knoll Studio in the Google Building... that's in the meatpacking district, so wear your fancy pants and be prepared to eat, drink, and be inspired! 

It'll definitely be an amazing event, but if you can't make it you can also support the cause by purchasing a raffle or simply donating. 

Rockin' the graduation commencement speech

Today is a very proud day for me.

At 7PM this evening, my client will be delivering a graduation commencement speech at Nassau Community College... a commencement speech I wrote!

He was asked to give the speech as an alumnus and entrepreneur, alongside keynote speaker Chuck Schumer.

Apparently the crowd will be upwards of 13,000... CRRRRAAZY!!!!!

After hearing me speak at my sister's wedding a few months ago, he enlisted my help in getting his ideas down on paper.

I was so thrilled and flattered. This is exactly the kind of writing I'd love to be doing more often.

It was definitely a challenge though. We met for a few hours to brainstorm and the process unfolded from there.

We went through several drafts over several weeks before finally getting it right.

Believe it or not, the initial problem was too much content. Shocker.

We had so many great ideas and only 4-7 minutes to deliver them... a little scary when we realized the first draft timed out at 14 minutes!!

It was hard to let go of some really great inspirational nuggets, but I eventually went at it with a chainsaw and hacked off anything that wasn't absolutely essential.

So excited to hear my words over the mic! I can only hope they inspire the audience as much as I was inspired writing them.

This is the reaction I envision!

I'll upload the video version of the speech asap on my WORD-OLOGY site, so stay tuned for that.

In the meantime, check out these memorable, laugh-out-loud commencement speeches below.

Humor is a common thread that's always welcome in speeches... especially during long ceremonies involving thousands of people with super short attention spans.

I wouldn't ever attempt to be that funny, but I did throw some jokes in there so hopefully we'll get some laughs.

There's always an element of research involved in writing. Watch and learn from the masters and then toss in your own spin.

Luckily in this case, the research was thoroughly entertaining!

LOVE Coco!! F-ing genius!

2000 Harvard Commencement Speech Part 1

2000 Harvard Commencement Speech Part 2

Steven Colbert... another comedic genuis!

Take a look here for a more straightforward, but amazingly poignant commencement speech delivered by Steve Jobs...

...short, sweet, and inspiring.
It's one of my favorites!


INSPIRE SOMEONE WITH YOUR WORDS TODAY!
XOXO

Natural stress relief just a click away!

We've all discovered ways to blow off steam and alleviate stress, but some methods only add fuel to the fire.

With all the noise going on around us - especially in our heads - it's no wonder we're constantly longing for an escape.

In lieu of packing up and moving to the tropics, there's meditation.

I've found the best way to achieve balance and focus, relieve anxiety, and de-stress is to  give my mind a micro vacation each day.

Meditation can have profound effects on your health, mental awareness, clarity of thought, and stress levels.

It's a practice that dates back thousands of years and is finally staking out territory in the landscape of our mainstream Western culture...

...with the help of respected proponents like Deepak Chopra and celebs like Howard Stern and Russell Simmons. 

There are countless types of meditation, some stricter than others. 

The most fundamental link between them all is the importance of relaxing your body and quieting your mind.

We all get distracted and consumed by our constant stream of thoughts. 

Meditation teaches you to detach from all that noise so you can actually relax, be present, and sharpen your mind.

Like anything else, it requires practice, patience, and persistence. Your brain is a muscle and meditation is a method of strength training.

Most of us are grossly over-stimulated and out of shape when it comes to being mindful, so it can be challenging at first.

But rest assured that if you stick with it, you will see results. 

KEEP IN MIND: being attached to getting it right, doing it perfectly, or seeing results will have the opposite effect. 

The whole idea is to let go and just BE.

Since we live in such an instant gratification culture, I figured I'd post a few very basic meditations I found on Youtube. 

You can also order CDs and download a 21-day meditation through the Chopra Center, a wellness and holistic healing center/website established by world renowned doctors Deepak Chopra and David Simon.

It's great to know that natural stress relief is just a click away. 

There's a ton out there, but these guided meditations are a great place to start until you figure out a practice that's right for you.

It's pretty amazing once you get into it. Doing just 10 minutes a day will make a difference.

Try it... nothing to lose but your stress!!!

20 min

10 min

Have a stress-free week! 

xoxo

Pretty Great Perspective

Aimee Copeland

AND

Lauren Scruggs

It's stories like these that make me incredibly grateful for my health and my life.

Of course, it's all relative. We all have good days and bad.

But consider these beautiful, brave young women the next time you feel like complaining about some trivial inconvenience like traffic, gas prices, or a pain-in-the-ass co-worker.

If you have love and health in your life, and you're not dealing with tragic circumstances, consider yourself one of the lucky ones.

Every moment is precious. We're not entitled to anything. The only guarantee is that right this minute, we're still breathing.

Everything beyond that is a bonus... and a blessing.

Things can change at any moment, so enjoy all you can while you can... right now.

Have a great week!

xoxo

Mojo Monday: Let the games begin!

When you start to feel like things are getting a little status quo, the best way to spice things up is to find something new and adventurous to get into.

No, I'm not referring to sex... at least not in this post. 

I vowed in the beginning of the year to find some interesting new activities that didn't break the bank. 

Although I loved the Russian baths, I haven't been back since, so I've been itching for something outside of my typical social schedule. 

The goal was also to be spontaneous and say "YES" to things popping up unexpectedly that might lead me outside the box.

Well, it just so happened that my friend invited me unexpectedly to take a ride and hang in the park in our neighborhood.

It was a gorgeous day and I had no set plans other than to get some work done, so I said yes.

We sat in the sun drinking beer out of paper bags old school style, and I was so happy to be outdoors.

We noticed some people walking over to the empty field nearby and my friend pointed out that it was an archery field. 

Archery on Staten Island? Really?

I was surprised I never knew it was there or knew anyone who had done it before. 

I watched through the fence, seriously impressed as they shot their bows and arrows Robin Hood style.

Finally one of the guys yelled out for us to come over and try it. I hesitated for a second, and then said YES.

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I was SERIOUSLY excited. I felt like I was getting to experience a part of history. 

Maybe it was the fact that I'd seen The Hunger Games, Braveheart, and Robin Hood in the two weeks before, but I was like a kid in a candy store. Who knew?

These guys were no joke. They had some serious gear and some more basic stuff for beginners like us who wanted to try it out.

A "quiver" used to hold arrows behind your back

beautifully crafted bows, which can be pretty pricey

They were using traditional bows and arrows...

NOT the more modern compound bows common in hunting today. I was told those require less skill and effort than the traditional versions.

There's a whole subculture linked to archery, and although they were laid back, they definitely took it seriously.

I asked about a million questions and learned that they each had pseudonyms, and there are huge events where people set up tents, dress up in medieval garb, and represent their "kingdom" in competitions.

Yes, it was all a little "dungeons and dragons" but these guys were so cool to let us try it out. And because they had extra equipment, it was free!

I got a quickie lesson on safety, form, and mechanics before strapping on a leather arm band, finger tab glove, and taking my first shot. So exhilarating!

I was nervous at first, but it was actually a pretty calming, meditative experience once I got into it.

I definitely shot better than I expected to. The arrows flew straight and quick, just a little to the right of the target board. Eventually I hit it, and naturally, I did a cheesy celebratory dance.

I was very proud of myself. It was so fun, I felt like Katniss! (That's the girl from The Hunger Games in case you've been living under a rock.)

Ironically, the next day I got a Groupon for archery lessons on Staten Island... pretty strange coincidence. 

A few hours after that, I opened a People magazine right to an article about an actress who is into archery. Weird.

Then I had a dream someone was trying to kill me and I was defending myself with a bow and arrows, lol.

Clearly all signs were pointing in that direction, so I went with it.

They invited us to come practice any time, so I went back again, making a lot of my shots on the target board. Three or four even hit the blue!

Apparently there's a whole points system and ranking procedure. I'm not there just yet.

It was honestly one of the coolest things I'd done in a while. It's not often we stumble onto activities that are new and exciting.

It was definitely outside my comfort zone, but well worth it.

Admittedly, I'm a GINORMOUS geek. And while I might not meet the man of my dreams at the archery field or become a grand master bowman with a pseudonym like Angel Heart Demon Slayer, it sparked something in me that made me feel like a kid again.

I'll be on the lookout for other things that ignite the kid in me, and I encourage you to do the same.

So next time you're on the fence and someone asks you to cross over and try something new, do yourself a favor and just say

  YES!!!!!!!!

Mojo Monday!: Fortunate Wisdom

Those fortune cookie people are pretty wise.

I love finding simple statements that are so profound... and so damn true. 

We often assume people will just know where we're coming from, as if they have access to all the things going on in our heads. 

But just as we can't read their minds and can only judge their words and actions, they too can't read ours. 

Make your intentions clear. Act. Don't assume others know anything other than what they hear you say and see you do.

You can have the best intentions, but intent isn't seen or heard or felt. All anyone knows is what you actually show them. 

In the same respect, there's likely more than meets the eye going on behind someone else's action or inaction. Take a moment to consider that and inquire before you rush to judgment.

Hmm, if only the laws of clear communication were emphasized in our learning the way multiplication and the periodic table are, the world might be a more peaceful, loving place. 

Just saying. 

The Rat Race

I recently heard this very wise quote and had to share:

"The problem with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat."

Think about that for a minute. Even if you're "winning" the rat race - making money, acquiring bigger and better toys - are you enjoying it? Are you really winning?

I'm not trying to downplay the importance of working hard, providing for ourselves and our families, accomplishing goals, the fun of enjoying the finer things, or the role money plays in our lives... especially in our society.

But I also know the satisfaction we get from "having" as opposed to "being" is superficial and short-lived. Don't get me wrong, I love a new pair of shoes as much as the next girl, but I try not to be fooled by the allure of false confidence that brings. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But I always try to catch myself.

Success for me is realizing I've overcome a fear, learning to let go of a negative habit, accepting something about myself or my life I wouldn't necessarily choose, or being a source of strength or comfort for someone else.

I believe in creating balance, spending as much time as possible doing things you really love, and enjoying what you have now, instead of waiting for the arrival of the things you're chasing after or believing where you are now is not good enough.

Our culture reinforces the notion of HAVE MORE = BE MORE, but every time we reach a "have more" moment, we inevitably create a new one to chase. That wheel never stops spinning, so prepare to be running forever.

We're all running on a wheel. The question is, what are we running towards?

It's a choice.

My equation is DO MORE = GROW MORE = BE MORE

So think about what you're chasing in comparison to what you really want out of this life...not what you think you want, but what you REALLY, truly want in your heart and soul.

It might not align with what everyone else wants or expects of you, but at the end of the day, you're the only one living your life and the only one responsible for your own happiness.

Then, stop thinking and start doing.

xoxo

Aint No Mountain High Enough

Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.

-Theodore Roosevelt

Been feeling really good about my work prospects in this new year. WORD-OLOGY is growing its wings, and I've been really inspired to get it to the next level.

I've learned to be comfortable with the idea of the unexpected, so I'm open to things heading in a new direction, but I really love the one they're heading in now. 

Freelancing opens up all kinds of opportunities to meet and work with different people. It keeps me mobile and my schedule flexible...HUGE plus on my list of "dream job" criteria.

It also keeps me working on different projects, which keeps me entertained and away from the dangerous wrath of boredom...another HUGE plus on the list.

On the flip side, freelancing is a constant balancing act that isn't always stable or consistent.

There's no one providing you with benefits and no guarantee that work will be there at any given time.

It's a constant search and it can be scary and stressful.

The good news is I have a lot of feelers out there, I feel confident about my ability, and the work itself is proving to be pretty lucrative.

It's been a long struggle but I can finally sense the sweet smell of success on the horizon. I feel like it's only a matter of time before my plate...and my bank account are full.

My goal is to establish a consistent roster of clients so I'll continue to have work lined up for long periods.

I've already got several projects under my belt, I'm doing additional work for my new job, and waiting to hear back on some new clients. 

The big difference I've noticed is how I'm presenting myself. I'm advocating a lot harder than I ever have before and the response is definitely noticeable.

It's been a long time coming, but I finally have my range of work in one place and it no longer feels like a bunch of scattered, wasted efforts.

I used to view my professional history as a series of sordid affairs. Now I see it a series of adventurous pit-stops along this endless road trip.

There is no map. You just have to explore until you find a place you want to settle into.

It actually feels purposeful, like I've finally reached the top of the mountain. There's certainly more hiking to do, but it already seems easier from this altitude.

I've ventured into new territory several times before but something feels very different this time.

I'm operating with more clarity and more faith than ever, and that now makes me feel like a person with endless possibilities. 

It's even more empowering and encouraging when you start seeing opportunities that align with your efforts. There's nothing more validating....it's like God is telling you, "Yes, you're headed in the right direction. Keep going!"

Eventually, it'll be time for new mountains. But for now, I'm enjoying the view from this one.

Whatever it is you're striving for or struggling with...addiction, being a great parent, going back to school, dealing with a loss, getting a promotion, losing weight, building a better marriage, starting your own business...I seriously encourage you to keep going and have faith that if you keep putting one foot in front of the other with your eye on the prize, eventually, you'll reach the mountaintop. Wink wink.

xoxo