Taking Risks

TAKING RISKS

Taking a risk is scary, applying for a job out of your skill range, trusting somebody, abseiling backwards off a cliff and a million other things I'm sure you've thought about. Risks can be amazing, either with a successful outcome, or a fantastic learning experience. Or they can be terrible, either a bad outcome, or a risk not even taken.

Taking risks, whether they end up being successful or not is crucial to your personal development. Each risk you takes allows you to connect with who you are, discover your strengths and weaknesses and develop your identity.

It is often said that "What we do, is that which defines us," and I think that is particularly true in regards to taking risks. If you don't do anything new or accept new challenges, who will you be? You won't develop a diverse identity to go through life with.

Saying that, taking risks such as drunk driving, are just stupid. They will defiantly define you as an irresponsible and un-mature person, but they will do no good in your life. You need to take risks, which even though may be a failure, they will be an excellent learning opportunity.

You need to take risks that will define you in a positive way.

So this week, instead of backing away from that job higher up, accepting friendship from someone new or doing the easier assignment, I ask you to take a risk.

Take a risk that will define you, that will develop you, that will shape your identity.

Love Katie xoxoxo

Dare To Be

Dare to Be

When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.
When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.
When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.
When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.
When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.
When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.
When you’re feeling tired, dare to keep going.
When times are tough, dare to be tougher.
When love hurts you, dare to love again.
When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.
When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.
When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.
When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.
When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.
When the day has ended, dare to feel as you’ve done your best.
Dare to be the best you can –
At all times, Dare to be!

― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free

Take A Moment

When you walk outside do you look up and around at your surroundings? Do you observe the beauty of the world around you and embrace the natural essence of life? Or do you walk quickly with your head down, because you're in a hurry?

In our busy lives we often don't take a moment to observe the natural beauty around us, we are to worried about work, money, family and the material world to pause. 

Taking a moment out of each day to just watch what's going outside is truly important in finding a connection with our world. The moments we spend with our world, rather than in our world are a time of reflection and relaxation. 

Reflection on how amazing the miracle of life is, whether spiritually or scientifically, on yourself and your connection with the world. Relaxation with the beauty of nature and the precious gift of life that is bestowed on us.  

Take time this week on your way to just pause for a minute and reflect and relax with our home, the earth.

Love Katie xoxoxo

You Are Important

How Much Do You Want It?

“If you want something you’ve never had, you’ve got to do something you’ve never done.”

We all have dreams and aspirations for our futures, and ourselves but how far will we go to achieve them? Will they always be solely letters on a page or will they become a reality?

When we really want something we need to get out there, sitting at home and convincing yourself it isn’t possible will never get you anywhere.  If you truly want something you need to go after it with everything you have and pour yourself into achieving your outcomes.

I often tell myself how much I want something, and get angry when I don’t get it, but I didn’t really do something new to achieve my goal. I didn’t go the extra mile to ensure my outcome would be realized. I thought I could achieve my goals without putting 100%, yet that is not what happened.

It wasn’t until I really went for my goals, did things I’d never done and given everything that I had that I finally started achieving the results I had desired. I realized from goals from true grit and determination, and by doing things I’d never done.  

So I challenge you to think about your dreams, how much are you willing to fight for them? Are you going to do things you’ve never done to achieve the things you want? How much to you want it?

Love Katie xoxoxo

Embrace Your Individuality

We are designed to be different, embrace your individuality

Everyday I hear statements like 'I'm not good enough' and 'I'm not smart enough,' and. I think to myself 'for whom?' All that matters in life is that you are the best version of yourself, and not trying to aspire to be somebody else. Constantly aspiring to be somebody else can be very damaging, because on your quest to be somebody else you loose track of who you really are. We were all designed differently, with different looks, personalities and talents. We were never made to be the same.

Life is filled with diversity and rich in culture, and this has only happened because people have embraced their own individuality. To often I see people loosing their individuality because of their desire to follow the crowd and fit in. I've always held the view that you need to embrace your unique personality, as it is a gift and not a burden. YOU are an amazing and by trying o be someone else you loose a key part of your unique spirit. Learning to be happy with who you are a challenge, one I still work on every day, but it is an Important and healthy challenge. Learning to embrace who you truly are is difficult, but it will be so worth it in the end.

Every time that you think you're not good enough, make sure you ask your self who you're not good enough for. If the answer is for your friends and family then you need to know that you are good enough. They love you just the way you are, regardless of your flaws. True friends don't want to change you into somebody you're not, and neither will your family. If your answer is for the world then chances are you're trying to live up to the standards the media and advertisements place on us. They are never worth it, those standards may seem ideal but are not who you are.

So give it a try for a week, exist for YOU and not the world, be content in the fact that your family and friends love the real you.

Love Katie xoxo