There are times in life we ask “Why”

Why is this happening to me?

Why did I get offered this?

Why couldn’t I give more?

Why should I ?

The list of Why’s could go on and on.

This week I have been feeling overwhelmed. I have shed some silent tears, some crocodile tears, and those water works tears that you just can’t seem to turn off at times.

My biggest why- WHY AM I CRYING?

I have felt so many emotions. Excitement, pain, hurt, fear, love, and happiness. Not all my tears were sad tears. It seemed as if I felt like my life had finally started to come together with a purpose and a path. And just as I was taking off and soaring like an eagle in the sky - a little mechanical malfunction decided to show up.

How often do things show up just as we feel we have hit a high note or that things seem so incredible. I believe these glitches are opportunities to do more, create more, and be more. I often tell friends, we are only given what we can handle. Our attitude of how adapt to change/glitches/malfunctions show our true character.

Typically you will see me in public - I am the one dancing, bouncing, smiling, laughing, or positively uplifting. And yet every once in a while, I admit those tears well up in my eyes. I think we all have moments like that- where we need to release. Apparently my release was shedding some tears. I always try to stay strong, positive, and live in the moment.

Each day I realize how important those moments are in life. I never want to take anyone, anything, or any minute for granted. I stop asking why , and start focusing on what can I learn, what can I teach, or how can I grow from this experience.

Bring on the why - because it only supports my passion and purpose in life.

So ask yourself “Why Not” the next time you wonder “Why”!

Enroute. I am walking through terminal 2 in the Salt Lake City International Airport, with the smell of adventure on the air.

Flying is actually quite therapeutic for me. Some of my best ideas come while I am above a sea of clouds.

Amos Lee, ‘Windows are rolled down’,
Is playing on my iPod. The words are playing in my mind -

Windows are rolled down, the sun is setting high,

Windows are rolled down, I am fixing to die..

My mind is processing the meaning of this chorus and this very moment in my life.

I choose to live from the purpose that I have only a fixed amount of time in me . I don’t know how long I have here. I choose to live in the moment and for the moment.

There are days my mind becomes clouded. I am sitting with the clouds and not flying above them. Why else would I get my best ideas at 10,000 feet in the air? The famous Sintra song- “come fly me”- lets fly away!

It is as if when sitting in an airplane
Awaiting arrival of my new destination- I trust that someone has their hand in watching me get to where I am going. I have no hope or agenda… It just happens. I am safely traveled to my destination without me doing anything other than choosing to sit done, buckle up, and enjoy the ride.

I imagine the windows rolling down in the airplane. My tongue is tasting the clouds. I am watching the sunset high above clouds. I can almost taste the salt in the air from Harbour Island and feel the sand on my toes.

Flying is like a dream world. Scenery, A good book, and time to reflect on life.

I love the air… I believe it inspires me. It takes me away from the everyday real world an puts me into a space where the only thing I have to do is keep my seatbelt fastened.

Too often we cloud our mind with what we think we should be doing or what we should feel. We let little seeds sprout in our head and take root- with the attempt to overtake our heart.

So the ultimate question stands… Are you looking up? The world is yours! Is your shoelace untied or your soles worn?

Where you want to go is your choice… You just have to believe in you and be willing to take that journey.

Are you fixing to let your charisma die because you settle for less than what you deserve?

Remember , your greatest growth comes from your deepest pain- if you allow it.

I dare you - embrace the mystery.
Lace your new shoes, trust, and and allow.

The latest buzz word : Authenticity! Everywhere you turn someone is telling you to be authentic. Commercials even try to take a spin on this word. It appears that our world is digging deeper and searching for more meaning in life.

Gone are the days where instant gratification actually satisfied our needs. We want more, we need more, and we want to make a difference. So a trend has starting in marketing, Be authentic.

What does this mean? Dictionary.com defines authentic: not false or copied; genuine; real.

So you are telling me that authenticity means to be real. So real must mean to be and represent who you really are as an individual. What is your personality and the “stuff” that makes you?

Recently I was asked to send a bio to a company in regards to some consulting work. My bio explains how I love to inspire people, add a smile to brighten someones day, and guaranteed to give you a laugh or start dancing to engage with my audience from the stage. A comment was given to me how unprofessional this approach was in my life and my business.

So let’s dissect being authentic. If you change from who you are to fit the mold of someone else that is wanting to control a situation, are you truly being authentic? The minute you change from who you are to fit into a mold for someone else, you will lose a little bit of yourself.

When you start forcing who you are, copy someone or something else, what are you really saying? YoU don’t believe enough in yourself, product or service to stand alone and say…”Here I am! Here is my value!”

When you stay true to who you are, you will attract the people, places, things into your life that are in alignment with you. So how do you know what your true authenticity is? What are you about? First, it starts with your heart.

What gets you excited, motivated, inspired, or puts that incredible-unexplainable smile on your face. Start here. Figure out what you are passionate about. What do you want in your life? You were meant to shine! You are unrepeatable. Genetically, not one of us is made up the exact same, so why do we try to be someone or something else, other than ourselves? Why would you want to be anyone other than yoU?

You know who you are. Do you show up in professionally or personally the same person. Or do you have a mask for different parts of your life? Do you show up in life with all your peers, friends, co-workers, family, etc. the same? Or are you different around different groups and settings.

Take a moment to really dissect this. Really dig into you and find out if you show up as you everywhere you are!

If I would have adapted to an opinion that I was not professional, I would have not created a relationship with some amazing influencers, clients and friends in my life.

When you remain true to who you are, amazing opportunities and people will show up in  your life.

As Dr. Seuss says:

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

So just be yourself. Do what feels right and stay true to who you are and what you represent. If you want change in your life…work on it. But you are still you! And your experiences, pains, & triumphs are all a part of you and who are!

How do I complete the task at hand with so many pop-ups in my life? I have my to do list, my goal list, my workout list, my grocery list, my errand list, my create list, my laundry list of to get done. It all seems so overwhelming at times.

I sit down in front of my computer and realize I have just spend an hour chatting on Facebook with friends that inspire me and make me laugh, but I am an hour behind and not any further ahead. Whether it is Facebook chat, a television program, a phone call, how often do we lose sight of what we are doing & get distracted from the one thing that needs to be done.

Perhaps we are procrastinating. Maybe even unsure of ourselves.

Believe me, everyday seems like “online-pop-up-ads”. Click here, you are a winner, Buy Now, and so on. How do you choose what to engage in, what to leave alone, and what will bring joy to your soul?

Think about, there are times in life,  you spend an hour on the phone with a friend or loved one, escape everyday life and find balance in the outdoors. There are moments where perhaps that “To-Do” List needs to be buried in the bottom of the garbage can.

I am a true believer that you should go after what your heart desires. Engage in activities that feed your soul and allow you to enhance you. What are you about? What distractions can you simply let go and not engage in?

I have always said, you are always a representative of who you are. What are YOU all about? And will you sacrifice who you are, or your inner confidence for someone or something else. What do you stand for and what are the things you want in your life?

Are you searching outside for validation because you have FEAR that has built up inside, and now you don’t know if you can make it, do it, believe it?

I am telling you- your strength has to come from inside. Searching and gaining hope from the outside will only be a temporary fix. I have experienced this first hand. My fears sent me looking for something. Instead of being me…I started searching for something to fill a void inside of me, when reality was…the void was there because of a fear or insecurity in myself. I was afraid to commit or allow my heart to be vulnerable.

If I was not vulnerable, how could I grow? How could I step out of my comfort zone and leave the distractions behind and live big. Be bold. Be strong.

I dare you to in the next 24 hours write down the distractions that “pop-up” and how much time you give them or take away form your core purpose and passions in your life.

What do you want in your life? What will you do to get it? Are you willing to step away and stay on course with the things you desire in your heart?

Will one distraction stop you from achieving your goal or dream? Will it blind your eyes, so much your heart stops pursuing?

I dare to take one extra step.

I dare you to smile.

I dare you to greet everyone you come in contact with.

I dare you to tell someone you love them.

I dare you to give yourself a compliment.

I dare you to help someone.

I dare you to be important in the life of a child.

I dare you to call a friend just to say hello.

I dare you to do one more thing today that you did not do yesterday.

I dare you to take that one step just outside of your comfort zone. Too often we get caught up in our daily routines. Wake-up, work, tend to kids, get a workout in, etc. Our lives tend to be rushed or focused on our needs for that day. What if you shifted that to  stepping just outside yourself and do something for someone else.

I dare you to DREAM BIG! LIVE BIG! I dare you to fall in love! I dare you to follow your heart! I dare to take a leap of faith and just go for it!

I DARE YOU!

Last night, 3:34 a.m., I woke up after an intense dream. I sat straight up in bed, looked at the clock, and actually touched my face to see if I was real and had actually not died.

We have probably all experienced dreams where we have fallen or felt as if we were falling. This dream was not about falling, but what I experienced felt like I was in the movie “Ghost” and headed towards a light.

There was someone in the distance telling me I had 30 days. 30 days to live. I was being given an opportunity to to know I would be leaving earth, and needed to use my next 30 days wisely. I was told to follow my heart and make a difference. I was given a task list it seemed to enhance the lives of everyone I came in contact with.

I remember waking up completely in shock and having that feeling that there is something I am meant to do.

I will not lie, this dream has been on my mind all day. Each night before I go to sleep I remind myself and others to Dream Big! Fall asleep with positive affirmations in life to help you achieve your dreams and goals. This dream was a positive affirmation for me to enhance my world over the next 30 days.

What in my life needs to change? What is missing?

I asked myself, “If I really had only 30 days to live, what would I do?”

My answer: Take Polaroids, make people smile, laugh, create memories, travel, and enjoy the friends and family in my life. I would make it my purpose to make each person I come in contact with to smile or laugh. I would share my book titled “Becoming” with organizations and individuals needing a motivational boost to overcome challenges. I would apply to TED to give the powerful speech I have in my heart. I would make time to cook and bake, and spend a day making pies with my mom. I would dine in New York at Carmines once again, I would visit Bedford New York and have a latte, I would soak my toes in the sand in Harbour Island. I would go to Italy and have pasta. I would skydive, and swim with a dolphin, and I would tell everyone I loved them.

I would want to leave behind a legacy that I brought a little bit of sun into the lives of others. I would hope my words would be like The Band Perry song titled ” If I Die Young” -

“A penny for my thoughts, oh no, I’ll sell them for a dollar
They’re worth so much more after I’m a goner
And maybe then you’ll hear the words I been singin’
Funny when you’re dead how people start listenin’

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

Uh oh (uh, oh)
The ballad of a dove (uh, oh)
Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep ‘em in your pocket
Save them for a time when you’re really gonna need them, oh”

These words to me, mean, if I die young, maybe people will listen to the words of hope/inspiration and choose to smile everyday.

This dream has reminded me, am I doing everything in my life today that represents who I am? Am I following my heart, dreams, and passion? This dream is a reminder to always be in alignment with who I am and what I want in my life.

If you had 30 days to live, what would you do differently? What would you want to accomplish? And who would you spend your time with?

If your goals change as a result of the fact that you know you only have 30 days to live, I challenge you to start implementing change in your life today. What will you do differently today if you knew you would be gone tomorrow?

There are 24 hours a day. Typically 8 of those are for sleeping. 16 hours of time in one day to shower, look presentable, run errands, take care of kids, feed the dog, eat, work, play, catch up with friends, mow the grass, work on goals, pay the bills, clean the house, etc. Our TO DO List everyday seems to grow bigger each day. When we don’t accomplish something from the previous day, we seem to slip it in to the next days 30 minute lunch break. As this continues each and every day we feel as if we don’t have time. There is never enough time. We become overwhelmed.

How do we balance work, family, friends, at home responsibilities, and the pursuit of happyness?

Each day - how we spend our time is a choice. The world is always there. Over stressing ourselves each day on the things we feel we need to accomplish can lead to regret, fear, and anxiety.

Prioritize the things you need to get done. Spend a minimum of 10 minutes in the morning and in the evening just for you. Relax, unwind - read a book, do yoga, relax on patio - whatever activity that will give you a boost. That 20 minutes will be both refreshing and rejuvenating and make a difference in how you approach the beginning and ending of each day. 

As you conquer your list for work, play, & family - be realistic. To often we over extend our time and become frustrated when we cannot cross off our list. Create time blocks to accomplish the cleaning/cooking/shopping. Time blocks for friends. Time blocks for appointments. Value yourself and your time. You cannot be everywhere and once. When you have to say No, it is ok. You value yourself, and you in return others around you will respect you and your time.

Many of my friends are working on new projects, goals, or dreams. Perhaps you fit into this category - a new business idea, a home project, or planning an annual activity. Looking at the project as a whole is overwhelming. How many people put dreams or goals on hold, because they do not have time & they become more frustrated then before their idea was born?

If this is you, find more time by doing a little each day towards the overall project. Take 10-40 minutes a day to devote to your creation. Use your resources. Ask for help, and in return be prepared to give your help. Having just enough edge to change your daily habits and reorganizing your time is where you will find your answer.

Take off 20 minutes of TV time. Listen to a book on Tape as you drive to work or appointments. Spend less time on Social Networks. Take the time away to invest in yourself. When you choose to invest in yourself and the dreams and goals you have in  your life, you will find more time.

All we have is time. What if time ended tomorrow? How would you want to know you spent your time? And who would you like to spend your time with?

Each night before I fall asleep, it is a routine of mine to remind myself to dream big! My version of sweet dreams to my loved ones is Dream Big! Allow yourself to fall asleep imagining all your dreams coming true!

Do you know the dreams you have for your life? Do you remember what you always wanted to do or be when you grew up?

As a kid, I dreamed of DisneyWorld, Beaches, Training Dolphins, Dancing, & Traveling the world. I had dreams of becoming a lawyer, owning a dance studio and being successful. In my eyes, success is not defined by the amount of money I have, the material possessions, but rather how many lives I can touch and make a difference.

My dreams are Big! I remind myself daily of the things I am, or I am becoming! Life can throw curve balls and speed bumps. Our path is something we choose. Do you allow lemons to send you on a slight detour or do you stop pursuing your passions? Do you stop dreaming or stop believing you can have it all? According to Cinderella, A dream is a wish our heart makes! What wishes are in your heart that you have kept hidden?

I challenge you to write down 3 dreams you have for your life. What would it take to implement those dreams into your life? What is something you have always wanted to accomplish? Where is somewhere you have always wanted to travel? Who is someone you would like to meet? What is one thing you don’t want to live without doing?

Our true happiness comes from within. Surrounding ourselves with the people and things we love. If we tell ourselves we are not enough, not deserving, or are unwilling to go after the things we want, we can expect defeat on the playing field. When we truly believe in ourselves and others, the impossible becomes possible.

2011 has been a true defining year in my life. A year of possibilities! A year to start living my bucket list! Life is short. Are you living your dream and wearing your passion?