Be Fierce And Courageous

 

Today I was struck with the word "fierce".  So, I looked it up and one of the many definitions of the word is, "showing a heartfelt and powerful intensity".  When I think of this word, I envision a person who is strong, proud, passionate and ready to face any situation head-on.


I coupled this word with "courage".  And this means, "having mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear or difficulty".  Being courageous can be incredibly difficult, but the end result of persevering through a given situation can be extremely beautiful.  

My daughter recently said, "Mommy, we all have to find a way to be fierce. But being fierce is not about being the best.  It is about having the courage to do what you want to do."  I would lovingly argue that my 10-year-old is wise beyond her age, and she is intelligent enough to implement her comment. 

So, she continued the conversation with a real-life example to further explain what she meant.  At which point she said, "A gymnast may be scared to do a roundoff into a back handspring.  But, they need to have enough courage to do the skill.  They need to have the courage to learn how to do the skill.  In order to try it for themselves, they need to be fierce.  They have to have the courage to be fierce and be fierce enough to have courage.  Then and only then, Mommy, will they be able do the skill to the best of their ability."  

While I am not physically fit enough to do a back handspring, I am intelligent enough to know that there are many life lessons to learn through her words.  Do I have the courage to learn something new?  Am I fierce enough to implement the new skill that I learned?  Yet, I also know that being fierce is not just about learning a new skill.  Rather it is about having a new mindset.  This could be a new way of perceiving different situations that life unfolds right in front of me.  

So today, I ask you to take a moment and think about the courage that you possess within yourself.  Do you strive to be fierce through the challenges that life presents to you?  I know that whatever life throws in your direction, you will handle it with grace and poise.  This is because each one of us is beautiful and perfect in our own way.  So, slide your feet into those high heel shoes and be the fierce courageous person you were born to be!

Love Note: With all my heart, I genuinely request that due to the content written, please seek the guidance of professional help should you feel you need it.

Do Not Clip Their Wings, Add Feathers

Someone once wrote, "Each of us shines in our own unique way, so there's no need to dim or block one another's light.  Let us shine brightly together as a collective whole."  

This quote really spoke to my soul.  I believe in the importance of lifting up one another, and I value surrounding myself with people who do the same to me as well.  It is as if we are all beautiful angels with wings that have feathers.  People who love and value you will add feathers to your wings.  While those who don't, may clip your wings and it can be detrimental to your wellbeing.  

Ever since the start of my professional career, I have always looked up to financially successful female role models.  Many women I follow are entrepreneurs while some are politicians, personal trainers and organizational leaders.  The women I admire have worked very hard to achieve the respect of others and the financial status that they hold.  

Last week, I was reading about a female self-made millionaire.  She explained that the small business she started grew into a huge successful organization.  And during her journey, she stated that she paid no mind to other people and led a lonely selfish lifestyle.  She outwardly stated that she felt like no one wanted her to succeed.  She said she was alone and had no friends nor family to support her throughout her professional career. 

It is very interesting how much I let this woman's story bother me.  I was impressed with her journey to financial freedom, yet part of me was very saddened that she felt so lonely.  Not only did she feel unsupported, but she also felt that other people did not want her to succeed at all.  And this made me very upset because I believe that the way in which we interact with others is very important.  And as we cross paths with various people, I think finding ways to add feathers to the wings of our surrounding angels is important.  This helps us soar higher and fly further than we have ever gone before.  

Today and always, I hope you will make a conscious decision to try and surround yourself with people who add feathers to your wings.  People who add value, love and support throughout your time here on earth.  And I also hope, that as you place your feet into your high heels, you will make a conscious effort to add feathers to the wings of other people as well.  

Love Note: With all my heart, I genuinely request that due to the content written, please seek the guidance of professional help should you feel you need it.

Hobbies We Unwrap Are Gifts To Others

 

Growing up, I had a few simple hobbies.  My grandmother taught me how to sew and I would make clothes for my dolls.  And my mom taught me how to crochet.  Together, my mom and I made blankets and scarves.  While these hobbies were enjoyable, nothing really stuck out to me that I did often, just for myself.


I feel like a hobby is a little gift that we offer ourselves for simple pleasures or even relaxation.  A few examples of hobbies are playing a musical instrument, knitting, reading, walking, coloring, writing or doing yoga.  And these hobbies can turn into gifts when we bless others with them.  For instance, a person who knits may gift others with scarves.  Or a person who plays a musical instrument may play in a band.


Do you have a hobby?  How long have you done your hobby?  What excites you most about this hobby?  Now that you have one in mind, what about this activity gives you pleasure, peace and a sense of simple soulful purpose?  And if you are open to sharing this hobby with others, what are some ways that you can unwrap your gift and make it a habit?  

When we take our hobby, make it a habit and share it with others, it becomes a beautiful gift.  Not all hobbies are to be shared with others because they are special to the person who uses them as a means in which to rest and find relaxation.  But they can become beautiful gifts when we are open to sharing them.  

Recently, I was talking to my counselor about my hobbies.  I personally like to go for walks and color.  And I still like to sew as well.  But, he asked me point blank, "What is your gift and how do you unwrap it?"  And I knew immediately that I am already using my hobby of writing, making it a habit and sharing it as a gift to others through my blog.  

A hobby should make you smile on the inside.  It should be something special you can lean into on your most chaotic days to calm your mind and ease your heart.  And sometimes, when we make a hobby a habit, we can return to this activity when we need it the most on a tough day.  

I hope today, when you put on your high heels, you will think about your hobbies.  And I wonder if you unwrap them, and share them with others, what kind of a special gift you can offer the world.  And while the activities of life spin around us, I hope you will find time to pursue your own hobby that makes you smile and gives you comfort.  

Love Note: With all my heart, I genuinely request that due to the content written, please seek the guidance of professional help should you feel you need it.

Being A Mommy To Lots Of Plants

I LOVE plants!  And I LOVE being a plant Mommy!  All my plants have names and I talk to them all the time.  They look different, need various lights of sun in order to grow, and they all require a certain amount of water to stay healthy.  

When I water my plants, I talk to them.  When they are not growing or even drooping, I touch their little leaves and put on my fingers on their soil to find out what nutrients they may be lacking.  Sometimes they need more light.  Other times, they need fresh soil.  And sometimes they need a friend so I move them closer to other plants where they can flourish and grow together.  

I have a piece of my great grandmothers plant.  Her original plant was so big that we trimmed it down, rooted the pieces and the children were all given a little plant.  This happened for two generations and now I have my own plant which I have propagated multiple times.  This plant was named after my great-grandmother and her name was Mary.   

Unfortunately, one of my Mary plants had "root rot" and was dying.  I over-watered her this winter for fear that her soil was too dry because of the heater.  However, I was wrong and she became very sick.  So, I salvaged what I could of her and re-potted her.  I put her in new soil and in a new location in my house.  Sadly, Mary went into shock and started wilting.  I thought I had lost my original little Mary plant forever.  

However, for an early Mothers Day gift, my husband and daughter gave me a wooden plant stand.  I moved a lot of my plants over to this stand, including my little dying Mary.  Much to my surprise, Mary started to heal.  And then, she began to grow again.  She loved the new location, snuggled around lots of plant friends, and enjoyed the heat of the morning light without it being directly on her leaves.  

If the saying is true, and people are similar to plants, then each individual person requires something different in order to flourish and grow.  Each person may need different nutrients in their soil.  We all require a different amount of fluids.  And while some people are most comforted when they are alone, other people need a community in order to grow.  

As I look at my little plants and analyze their needs in order to thrive and survive, I also look in the mirror and honor my own needs.  And I hope you will do the same for yourself.  For example, is your soil being watered enough?  Are you surrounding yourself with family and friends who will help you grow?  Are your roots planted firmly so that you can stand strong and proud?  As you put on your special shoes today, I hope you will reflect on what makes you grow as a beautiful, blossoming uniquely precious individual.  

Love Note: With all my heart, I genuinely request that due to the content written, please seek the guidance of professional help should you feel you need it.