Posts tagged ‘Follow your dreams’

April 24th, 2012

What Lies Are Holding You Back?

{photo by The Inspiring Bee}

For me, it was:

“You’re not creative.

You’re not talented enough.

No one’s going to really believe you’re a writer.

Writer’s don’t make $.

You’re nothing special.

There are millions of people more talented than you so why try?”

Deep in the dark, dusty corners of my mind was a slew of non-confronted falsities that were not only taking up some important real estate, but were insidiously controlling my life.

I realized to get beyond it, I would need to tackle each one. And not just with sprinkles of positivity, but gut-wrenching courage, anger, and a fiery attitude. If could not change completely get rid of the voice that brought me down, I sure as hell would not let it control my life.

Maybe you’re battling your own lifetime of lies. Well today is the day you decide to stop listening to them!

  • Do not spend any more time, energy or money on believing in something that is not your own truth.
  • Do not give away your power to “friends,” relatives, co-workers, acquaintances who wither in your light.
  • Do not focus on what you can’t do.
  • Stop believing that you need a guarantee to go forward with your dreams.

The only difference between you and your successful colleague is that they ventured out and tried.

Free yourself from the lies that you’ve been told about what’s possible for your life.

Embrace who you are wholeheartedly and dare to risk that every thing you’ve been told about how ___ (fat, dumb, ugly, stupid, untalented, etc.) you are, is untrue.

Create your own reality.

Define your own life.

Then join us reformed souls on the other side.

{If you want to learn how I found an extraordinary moment while in traffic, check out my latest article for Beliefnet Health, “Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary.”}

August 16th, 2011

Bullying Isn’t Just for Kids

Pinterest photo

Bullying is a serious thing going on with kids today. But this isn’t about that kind of bullying.

This is the seemingly harmless adult bullying that can steal you away from your dreams.

  • It’s what happens when Aunt Marge asks when are you going to find the “right” one (job, partner, etc.).
  • OR when you’re going to stop with all this silly freelancing and finally settle down.
  • It’s the pressure you feel to conform to other people’s wishes and thereby negating your own.
  • It may not be as life threatening as the bullying that goes on with kids, but it is serious and can be dream threatening for sure!

The sad and unfortunate thing is that most people are doing it for good reason. They want you to be happy, successful and wealthy. But life doesn’t have a perfect one-size-fits-all equation. There’s no way to know which way is the right way.

But one thing’s for sure.

Keep on the road to other people’s dreams and you’ll definitely miss yours.

If you want to be free of dream bullying, however, here are a few tips:

Prepare a mantra ahead of time.

Whether it’s, breathe, calm, peace or love. Think of something that will temporarily distract you when noisy people try to change your mind.

Listen with love. 

Another Pinterest photo

This is a hard one. But most times people give you advice or ask you questions because they are concerned. Many times they don’t realize the consequences of their constant questioning. Instead of responding or reacting, trying listening with love. What they tell you may be more about them and their unfulfilled dreams then about you.

Plan what you’ll say in advance.

Prepare something non-snarky in advance so you don’t experience a slip of the tongue and say something you might regret.

Here are a few examples. When a friend says, “Everyone wants to find their dream job, but we can’t do whatever we want.” You could say, “Thank you. I know you’re concerned about me. But I guess I’m lucky that I can.”

When an acquaintance says, “When are you going to get a real job?” You could say, “I’m pretty happy with the one I have now actually.”

Do you have any advice, tips, suggestions for how to respond when a bully tries to bully you? Share them in the comments below.