Hump Day Thoughts on "Coming to terms - mine, yours, or ours" 05/9/12

Already the 9th of May, and so far it seems like this month is just rolling along. All the signs are present that spring is definitely in the air as I see flowers in full bloom and folks have long since shed their long sleeves. This is probably one of the most exciting times of the year for a lot of families with the flurry of graduations and Mother's Day this upcoming weekend. Twelve years ago I know how exciting it was for me to walk across the stage at Jackson State University the day before Mother's Day. What an exciting time that was for me to make my mother proud and begin new chapters in my life. Looking back over the last twelve years it seems as though I never left school because the learning doesn't stop. Sometimes I wonder about the journey that I have taken over the years only to see where I am growing still learning about the world and myself. I have realized that once you stop learning you have really stopped growing. Through conversations with some people and a little self-discovery I have accepted the fact that I am selfish about some things. At first I was a little taken aback, but then it made sense as I am very hesitant to let go of; things I have worked for, my time, my thoughts/ideas. I guess the common denominator is that those things are mine before anyone else's. This observation took me down a path of in what circumstances do I share these things. At the end of the day, I make the choice to share these things on my terms; when and where I want to. Is there anything that you tend to be selfish about? What are those things? Why do think you do? So I started to develop some of my thoughts on why we tend to be selfish with things and it appears that it all boils down to on whose terms. Confusing at this minute probably. I am probably going to have to dig a little deeper to make the connection between selfish and terms. You may notice how the world works that if the terms are favorable for another party then there really are not any concerns on their behalf. And I guess that's really human nature for people to choose to engage in things where the terms are favorable based on their situation. Why would one ever engage in something where the terms were unfavorable? Have you ever agreed to something on unfavorable terms? Why did you do it? At some point in life we may have to make a decision on whose terms things are going be on. Before we do anything we are given a choice and it is important to figure out how we want to proceed. Whether its a relationship, career, giving of our time, or even a purchase of something there are terms that we are willing to agree to. What happens when the terms are not something you are willing to agree to? What are your next steps? Do you look elsewhere for an opportunity that's on your terms? Or do you just deal with it what you have? Is there an opportunity to negotiate to more favorable terms? You may be in a situation right now having trouble coming to terms with something, but you are going to have to be the one to make the decision whether you will or not. People can present things to us over time, but we still have to decide what we are going to do. Whether they are my terms or your terms, you can't escape coming to terms with anything. It all starts in the mind and you have to remember that positive thoughts breed positive actions. From here on out, remember that the #PositiveMovementsForward lifestyle is the foundation to get you where you want to be. Have you come to terms with that, yet? All the ingredients are present now for you to live life and be amazing, but the question is are you willing to agree to the terms to get you there? “In simplest terms, a leader is one who knows where he wants to go, and gets up, and goes.” John Erksine “Stop thinking in terms of limitations and start thinking in terms of possibilities” Terry Josephson “If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.” Confucius “Those who really seek the path to Enlightenment dictate terms to their mind. Then they proceed with strong determination.” Buddha “The most valuable things in life are not measured in monetary terms. The really important things are not houses and lands, stocks and bonds, automobiles and real state, but friendships, trust, confidence, empathy, mercy, love and faith.” Bertrand Russell “The customer perceives service in his or her own terms” Arch McGill “If you wish to converse with me, define your terms” Voltaire “You are a product of your environment. So choose the environment that will best develop you toward your objective. Analyze your life in terms of its environment. Are the things around you helping you toward success - or are they holding you back?” W. Clement Stone “Anyone who cannot come to terms with his life while he is alive needs one hand to ward off a little his despair over his fate... but with his other hand he can note down what he sees among the ruins.” Franz Kafka “If you haven't the strength to impose your own terms upon life, you must accept the terms it offers you.” T. S. Eliot

Over the Hump Thoughts on "Getting Intimate" 5/3/12

We are three days into the month of May and I can already see that there will be a lot of memories here. There is quite a bit going on in my world which is a mirror of the rest of the world. I know that a lot of people will remember today based simply on some of the news stories that were reported throughout the day. You can't turn a TV on right now without hearing something about the passing of Junior Seau, suspension of the New Orleans Saints players for their bounty program, or justice for Robert Champion(FAMU Drum Major killed during a hazing incident). Some of these events may catch a quick thought from you and you may even have an opinion, but if you don't have an intimate relationship with any of incidents it probably doesn't impact you as much. My thoughts and prayers definitely go out to the families and friends of Junior Seau and Robert Champion with everything that they are dealing with right now. I didn't want to reference these things, but as I am a sports nut Sportscenter and various news channels were flooded with this information I began to have a few thoughts on the brain. The events are sad, but they lend me an opportunity to dive into something that will bring a little more clarity to my life. Define intimacy for yourself. How do things change when you choose to have a intimate relationship with people? Your career? Relationships? God? Anything? Surprisingly, I think when most people see the term intimate they immediately think of men and women being intimate with one another. The term is so much bigger than that as I believe that you can see a direct correlation to how things turn out for you based on your intimacy level with them. Why is it we tend to avoid intimacy with things? Is it that we are we scared? The thoughts that are on my brain right now are pretty heavy and I know that they are probably going t get deeper as things start to unfold. Take a quick moment and think about everything that you have chosen to have an intimate relationship with. What is it that made you desire to be more intimate? Is it a feeling right this moment? Or the promise of something amazing at the end? No matter what is, when you make the decision that you want to become more intimate, there's an immediate change for you in the way you look at things and your expectations from there on. Our intimacy levels with things can be the difference of success or failure in many different areas of our lives. Is there something that you may have wanted over the course of your life, but just could not attain it? Why do you think that is? Did you get intimate in developing your plan to achieve your desired result? As we continue to move forward in life, it is important to decide what we are willing to get intimate with in order to get to the next level. Getting intimate with the right things at the right time may change our lives as well as the lives of those around you. Your attitude is where it all starts and you have to remember that positive thoughts breed positive actions. Living the #PositiveMovementsForward lifestyle is the beginning of where change happens for you. What are you willing to get more intimate with now? “Passion is the quickest to develop, and the quickest to fade. Intimacy develops more slowly, and commitment more gradually still.” Robert Sternberg “Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing.” Rollo May “Most people have come to prefer certain of life’s experiences and deny and reject others, unaware of the value of the hidden things that may come wrapped in plain and even ugly paper. In avoiding all pain and seeking comfort at all costs, we may be left without intimacy or compassion; in rejecting change and risk we often cheat ourselves of the quest; in denying our suffering we may never know our strength or our greatness.” Rachel Naomi Remen “It's the most precious thing...to know absolutely where you belong. There's a whole emotional wrapping-around-of-you-here. You see the same rock, tree, road, clouds, sun – you develop a nice kind of intimacy with the world around you. To be intimate is to grow, to learn... [it] is absolutely fulfilling. Intimacy, that's my magic word for why I live here.” Tessie Naranjo “To mature is in part to realize that while complete intimacy and omniscience and power cannot be had, self-transcendence, growth, and closeness to others are nevertheless within one's reach.” Sissela Bok

Hump Day Thoughts Before Day on "Knowing Yourself" 4/25/12

Wednesday morning before the sun comes up and my mind is racing quite a bit. Tuesday got away from me as know there were a ton of things I needed to accomplish before I drifted off to sleep, but it didn't happen that way. It seems as though the day sped by and I did complete most of the things that I tasked myself to do yesterday. By no means, am I going to look at it like a wasted day as I did still accomplish some things and had opportunities to grow through conversation and learning. I continue to marvel at life daily as I realize how small the world is. Let me tell you why I am saying this. Yesterday afternoon I was in the barbershop getting a fresh edge up and this young man was reading a magazine and busted out with this comment, "Jackson, Ms is the #1 worst city to do such and such." Immediately, my ears perk up and I say, "Come again, what did you say about my hometown there sir?" So the young man and I get into a discussion as he tells me that's his hometown too and I almost fall out of the barber chair. As we continue to talk and I realize that he went to high school with my cousins and also attended Jackson State with me, I really begin scratching my head. Who would have thought yesterday that I would be sitting in Phoenix, Arizona over 1,400 miles away from my hometown talking with the God son of one of my play mothers. Immediately, I get on the phone and connect him with his God brother who can't believe that the two of us were standing in the same place. I could only say wow at how small the world is and that everything happens for a reason as design of our destiny is controlled by a higher power. I bet you are sitting there wondering where I am going with all this and how I am going to connect all the dots back to the subject. I am sure I will get back on track and everything will make sense really soon. Well, I can say that I have had some thoughts in my head for over a week and originally I was writing something on "Knowledge of Self". I decided that the term knowledge limited me in conversation as it seemed too defined as it wasn't ongoing and was just based on a point in time. I came to the realization that knowing was the correct term to use as it allows the opportunity to continue to assess and check-in every step of the way to make sure you are on point. Here are some questions that I asked myself as I thought about this topic. How do you handle constructive criticism? Professionally? Personally? In your relationships?? Are you able to put yourself in another person's shoes to begin to see the things as they do? Or do you immediately go into defensive mode? If so, why is it that you do that? As you start to ask yourself these same questions, you may see how my thoughts began to develop and why. Situations are always going to exist that may cause you to check in and see who you are as often times there are things that influence our feelings or moods. At that same time, we have to be honest with ourselves about our true state of being. There are times when maybe we have been guilty of doing things that are pleasing to others and not ourselves. Down the road, we may be able to look back to see that maybe a different decision based on being honest with yourself would have led to a different result. I believe that one of the hardest things in life for some is to actually allow the mirror to be put up and look at every aspect of our lives. I know for a fact that some people only think of the mirror physically and won't take the time to figure out how to use the mirror to look at their mind or soul. Why do you think it is so hard to put the mirror up? Are we often times scared of what we see? If we take time out to look at every aspect of what makes us who we are knowing ourselves better can be the thing that propels us to the next level. In our careers? Relationships? Spiritually? Maybe it is time to do a SWOT analysis to figure some things out.(Evaluate your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) Change is inevitable and with that sometimes it is necessary for us to change also. The definition of insanity is 'Doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.'. As I sit back and think about this I can probably say I have been foolish at a few points in my life. So I know that my experience yesterday with someone from my hometown that happens to live in Arizona now, was the little extra bit that I needed to remind me that I am still in learning mode about myself. All I know is the timing was perfect as it brought back memories as I reflected on who I was, who I am now, and who I am striving to be. The truth is in all of us and it is up to each one of us to know it and live according to it. As you get over the hump today, remember that positive thoughts breed positive actions. You can "Live life and be amazing" as long as you adopt the #PositiveMovementsForward lifestyle. The ingredients are present in order for you to go from amazing to phenomenal, you just have to do it! “Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing. Use the pain as fuel, as a reminder of your strength.” August Wilson “Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.” “You never find yourself until you face the truth” Pearl Bailey “Any life, no matter how long and complex it may be, is made up of a single moment, the moment in which a man finds out, once and for all, who he is.” “We're constantly being told what other people think we are, and that's why it is so important to know yourself.” Sarah McLachlan “Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew. They're what make the instrument stretch-what make you go beyond the norm.” “Ninety percent of the world's woe comes from people not knowing themselves, their abilities, their frailties, and even their real virtues. Most of us go almost all the way through life as complete strangers to ourselves.” Sydney Harris “Know yourself. Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.” Ann Landers “I think self-awareness is probably the most important thing towards being a champion.” Billie Jean King

Sunday Evening Thoughts on "Making the most of your Chance" 4/15/12

This time last week, I was enjoying another Easter Sunday and time spent with friends and extended family. Over the last week, I have done quite a bit of reflecting through conversations with friends and family about what's important. Amazing, how when you look back in time to see what you valued only to see how things change as you mature.

My thoughts have been all across the board the last couple of days, but I think I may have landed on something to make you think. I can't help but be reminded of something that I learned from my advisor Dr. Chris Jeffries back at Jackson State. He taught me about the TANSTAFL(there ain't no such thing as a free lunch) principle the first day of my Economics 101 class. Over the years, I have continued to use this principle as I weigh the opportunity cost of any decisions that I make.

It is not to any surprise that I see my thoughts revolving around chance and opportunity. The terms are interchangeable to a certain degree, but I want to focus on chance considering the word is shorter with less syllables.(Don't judge me I have my reasons for keeping it simple)

How many times have you wanted a second chance at something? Have you ever felt that you squandered away your one chance at something? Are you prepared for any opportunity that may come your way?

They say that chance/luck is when preparation meets opportunity, but often times we haven't prepared ourselves to be ready when we are given that chance. Regardless of what aspect of our lives the chance to do something arrives in, in that moment we have the opportunity to make the most of it as it may not come around again.

Not sure how many people saw the story on ESPN where Heisman Trophy Finalist Trent Richardson took a leukemia survivor to their high school prom in Alabama. The story itself was touching and seeing Trent Richardson talk about how he had a chance to make a difference in the life of someone as well as attend a prom considering he never went to his. As I watched this story I thought to myself am I making the most of all the chances that life is given me to make a difference.

On the job, at home, in our relationships, or our spirituality we have a chance to do better. Yesterday has happened, and tomorrow will bring us another chance to make the most of our opportunities. So what we didn't live up to all the promises of yesterday, dust ourselves off and embrace the chance to be better. No matter what you are going through, you have to remember that there's always a chance/opportunity to do better. Yesterday does not have to define you and the past does have to imprison you as tomorrow is your chance to move forward.

Are you afraid of taking chances in your personal life? Your career? Your relationships?

Are you ready for your chance to be more? To do more? Do you make the most of your chance at a good first impression?

Has anyone blown their chance for you to be on their team? Have you blown the chance to be on someone else's team?

As you prepare to move forward into another week, remember that only you can push yourself to make the most of your chances. Positive thoughts breed positive actions and adopting the #PositiveMovementsForward lifestyle can make all the difference. Go forward and make it an amazing week people as you deserve it.

“Hope is the most exciting thing in life and if you honestly believe that love is out there, it will come. And even if it doesn't come straight away there is still that chance all through your life that it will.” Josh Hartnett

“It is by chance that we met, by choice that we became friends.”

“It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance. It is the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance. It is the one who won't be taken who cannot seem to give. And the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live.” Bette Midler

“Consider how hard it is to change yourself and you'll understand what little chance you have in trying to change others.”

“I will study and get ready, and perhaps my chance will come.” Abraham Lincoln
“Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.”

“Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.” Dale Carnegie

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression”

“All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion and desire.” Aristotle

“A truly great person is the one who gives you a chance.”

“When a man is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“If you are never scared, embarrassed or hurt, it means you never take chances” Julia Soul

Tuesday Evening Thoughts on "Enduring Through it All" 4/3/12

The Tuesday before Easter and all appears to be well in the world before the Valley of the Sun turns into one of the hottest places on the planet. I can't do anything but enjoy the cooler temperatures before they begin to creep closer to triple digits. My initial indicators tell me that it is going to be a very very warm spring and summer.

I am not going to lie and tell you that the last 7 days hasn't been challenging, but as I look at where I am now I see that I made it through. It really doesn't matter what is going on if you have it in your heart and mind you can push through anything. It all starts in the mind and you have to believe that you will see the light at the end of the tunnel. Often times I think we always just hear the phrase there's a light at the end of the tunnel, but we don't always have 100% that we will see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Have you ever given up on something? Why do you think that was? Was it too painful to continue on with? Were you not ready to go forward? Were you missing something?

As a country, history shows us that we have endured a lot as a whole and it has not been easy. Through the Women's Suffrage movement, the Civil Rights Movement, and many other moments over the years there has been pain, sacrifice, and struggle. None of these situations was easy, but through the pain and the resilience there has been growth. The evolution is present and we still have room to grow as there is still elements of discomfort. When there is discomfort it means we are growing and things are changing.

I talked about the world and hit on a few things that people have endured in the recent past. I want to dig a little deeper and explore a few things within my own existence that may open up the discussion further. In the 34 years that I have been living, I can pretty much confirm that anything worth having is worth the work put forth to attain it. The concept of what you put in is what you get out has never been more present than it is now. It seems as though everyone is out here dealing with their own struggles and there's no handouts to anyone as it is survival of the fittest.

I use the term "Survival of the Fittest" because as things change we have two choices to become an agent of change or a resistor to change. It is in that moment you choose the road you will be traveling on and what you are willing to endure. More often than not we don't look at obstacles as opportunities to use our past experiences to bring us through whatever it is we are dealing with. I can't help but think of this verse, 'Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.'

Maybe you haven't reached the summit of many different areas of your life, but you feel as though you can't go on any further. These experiences are preparing you for something amazing that was designed only for you. Are you willing to endure longer for the promise of something better in your life? Career? Family? Relationships?

Inside each and every one of us there's that one thing that we are willing to endure heartache, long suffering, or disappointment for in order to achieve something. What is that thing for you? Is it your family? Financial Security? Helping others? Why is it that you endure some of the things that you do? Do you believe in your heart that things will be better as a result of holding on?

If you are enduring some pain or heartache for anything there's a direct correlation with how much you care about what it is you are doing. If there wasn't would we even be trying to live through whatever it is instead of just letting go.

Positive thoughts breed positive actions and as we endure anything in life our mind has to be strong. Focus your energies on bringing the right thoughts into any situation as #PositiveMovementsForward will bring you through any darkness to walk straight into the light at the end of the tunnel. Live life and be amazing in every moment that you have. You have already prepared for the next moment, so just endure this one with a smile.

“Endure the present, and watch for better things.” Virgil

“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars.” Og Mandino

“Those who endure conquer.”

“Enjoy what you can, endure what you must” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“Life is truly known only to those who suffer, lose, endure adversity and stumble from defeat to defeat.” Anais Nin

“He who has a why can endure any how” Friedrich Nietzsche

“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Christopher Reeve

“You are capable of more than you know. Choose a goal that seems right for you and strive to be the best, however hard the path. Aim high. Behave honorably. Prepare to be alone at times, and to endure failure. Persist! The world needs all you can give.” Edward O. Wilson

“In the darkest hour the soul is replenished and given strength to continue and endure.”

Over The Hump Thoughts on "Being Brilliant at the Basics" 3/29/12

The month of March is just about in the books and it means that a quarter of the year is gone. Like clockwork Wednesday come and gone and we've made it over the hump. It comes around every week and I have an idea of what lies on the other side, but getting to the other side isn't always the same.

This hump day was a little tough as my family comes together again with the unexpected passing of my dad's sister Tuesday. As always I am truly thankful for my extended family and friends who are praying for my family during this difficult time. I can't stress enough to anyone that I see or talk to to enjoy this moment as you just never know what opportunities you may have tomorrow.

A couple of days ago I had a few thoughts on the brain that I was really having trouble developing and didn't know where to go. I wasn't expecting my conversations the last couple of days to influence my thoughts, but ironically my interactions with my family helped me to expound on the thoughts that were lingering.

Over the course of time that I have been in the world, I have seen where most people want maximum results with minimal effort. Or everyone wants something for nothing. It is pretty simple and you can test the theory out in a lot of ways. You get out of something what you put into it. This pretty much applies all across the board in my book. I think have found the solution to having positive results or success in anything.

What are your core values? Do your core values influence your decisions about life? Career? Family? Relationships with people?

I remember in a few instances over the years people saying KISS which means "Keep It Simple Stupid." I am starting to understand more and more how important keeping things simple makes life so much easier. Even the most difficult things in life don't seem as hard to deal with when you really live the mindset of keeping things simple. No matter what we do in life from our conversations to our actions, there is a direct correlation all to our core values.
Right now, I don't know if I am talking to myself trying to get on board or I am accepting this amazing revelation that's always been here. Our core represents the basic things that make up who we are. Ask yourself these questions; Who are you? What do my core values say about me? How can I be a better me?

As I think about becoming a better me it's all about being "Brilliant at the Basics." In my book the basics should be present in every thing that when they aren't we should notice that some things seem off. Take a moment right now and look at where you are in life; Have you gotten away from the basics?

Think about your career? Your marriage? Relationships? Children? What were the essential building blocks that laid a foundation to embrace wonderful things down the road? I am willing to bet that a lot of things we are engaged in revolve around the golden rule.(Treat others as you would have them treat you or Do unto others as you would have them do you)

I am starting to learn that this thing called life isn't rocket science and its really pretty simple. The concept of "Being Brilliant at the Basics" exists in every facet of our lives, but we just have to embrace the simple concept and live it. How can you expect to be ready to deal with the amazing things coming for you if you can't deal with the basics?

Close your eyes take a deep breath and focus on getting back to the basics in order to position yourself to get where you want to be. I know that the core of MY being revolves around altruism, family, friends, and my faith. I have learned that I can not nor will not be successful in anything if any of those things are not present. I challenge you to really figure out what those things are for you.

So the formula is pretty simple in my book. "Being Brilliant at the Basics" + lifestyle of #PositiveMovementsForward = One Amazing life for you and all those around you!

Make it a great rest of the week folks. Live life and be amazing.

“Consideration for others is the basic of a good life, a good society.” Confucius

“Every sale has five basic obstacles: no need, no money, no hurry, no desire, no trust.” Zig Ziglar

“Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals.” Jim Rohn

“The basic difference between an ordinary man and a warrior is that a warrior takes everything as a challenge while an ordinary man takes everything either as a blessing or a curse” Carlos Casteneda

“Here is the basic rule for winning success. Let's mark it in the mind and remember it. The rule is: Success depends on the support of other people. The only hurdle between you and what you want to be in is the support of other people.” David Joseph Schwartz

“The basic rule of free enterprise: You must give in order to get.” Scott Alexander

“The character ethic, which I believe to be the foundation of success, teaches that there are basic principles of effective living, and that people can only experience true success and enduring happiness as they learn and integrate these principles into their basic character.” Stephen Covey

“Many of life's circumstances are created by three basic choices: the disciplines you choose to keep, the people you choose to be with; and, the laws you choose to obey” Charles Millhuff

“The family is the most basic unit of government. As the first community to which a person is attached and the first authority under which a person learns to live, the family establishes society's most basic values.” Charles Caleb Colton

“Of the billionaires I have known, money just brings out the basic traits in them. If they were jerks before they had money, they are simply jerks with a billion dollars.” Warren Buffett

Tuesday Morning Thoughts Before Day on "What are you missing" 3/20/12

The sun isn't quite up yet and I probably have about another couple of hours before the sun comes peeking through my window. The weather here in the Valley of the Sun is still pretty crazy as in the last 72 hours I have seen almost 80 degrees, a hail storm, and temperatures drop to the 40's.

Another sleepless night and my mind is fully engaged in a few deep thoughts that may just propel me to the next level. Last week I wrote about moving forward and I believe I still have a few lingering thoughts about the topic.

Take a look at your life right now and ask yourself a few questions. Have I missed anything? What is it I am missing? Is there something that missed me? Am I missing someone?

Probably asked myself these questions a million times as it seems like moving forward is sometimes difficult when I feel as though I'm missing something. Have you ever packed for a trip or prepared to go somewhere and you couldn't quite leave cause you felt like there was something you forgot to do or pack? Or have you ever been in the kitchen preparing something and it seems a little off and you realized that it is missing a little something?

We encounter a lot of moments in life that remind us that we might be missing something, but the question is what do we do in those moments. Lately, I have been doing a lot of reflection about the time I spent with my great-grandparents. I really don't know a lot of people that can say they spent 30 years with their great-grandfather, but I can say it cause I lived it. I miss the conversations, the lessons, and the visits that I will always have memories of, but its still a lot missing for me. I feel as though I lost a lot, but through my reflection I have gained a lot of wisdom.

Sometimes looking back on the things we miss gives us another opportunity to gain perspective on the lessons that were there. If we get to a point and we realize that we are missing something it is not hard to see that it means/meant something to us.

Is there something that you missed that may be keeping you from moving forward? Have you missed any opportunities in your job? With your relationships? With your family? In life period?

Often times we are so focused on some things that may not really matter as much as we think they do. Ask the father who missed his child's first words or first steps. Ask the mother who missed her son's first touchdown playing on the varsity team. I use those examples to show that sometimes there are some moments that just can't be recreated.

Have you ever found yourself sitting back saying, "I can't believe I missed that," or "What would have happened if I would not have missed that?" There is no DVR in life and we can't pause or rewind the moments to ensure that we don't miss anything. Sometimes it is as simple as refocusing our energies in a different area to keep us on track.

As you move forward, challenge yourself to live the life you have imagined on all levels. Find the balance that allows you to maximize your opportunities with all those things that you are truly passionate about. If you choose to adopt the #PositiveMovementsForward lifestyle I know that you will begin to see noticeable differences in your days.

Let's welcome the 1st day of spring choosing to take advantage of every opportunity to live life and be amazing! Make it a great week folks.

“Time goes by so fast, people go in and out of your life. You must never miss the opportunity to tell these people how much they mean to you.”

“Plenty of people miss their share of happiness, not because they never found it, but because they didn't stop to enjoy it.”

-William Feather

“Don't worry about failure. Worry about the chances you miss when you don't even try.”

“Shoot for the moon and if you miss you will still be among the stars.”

-Les Brown

“Don't miss all the beautiful colors of the rainbow looking for that pot of gold.”

“Don't get too comfortable with who you are at any given time - you may miss the opportunity to become who you want to be.”

-Jon Bon Jovi

“We may run, walk, stumble, drive, or fly, but let us never lost sight of the reason for the journey, or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way.”

“Opportunities are like sunrises -- if you wait too long, you miss them.”

-William Arthur Ward

“You never miss the water till the well has run dry.”

-Irish Proverb