Be You…

A few days ago I was asked to speak at an awards event later this month.  When I got the invitation I was super excited because I really want to get into public speaking more and this event is the perfect opportunity for me.  When I shared this good news with a close friend of mine their response was, “you don’t know anything about speaking in front of people.”  I have known this person for a long time and they always have the most negative things to say so I should have known better.  I was simply excited about my good fortune and wanted to share my excitement.

My initial reaction was hurt, anger and frustration.  Then I had a thought.  There will always be people around to tell you what you can’t do.  I know for certain, people who do that are guided by their own fears.  They figure they can’t so why should you?  When you go thinking and believing that you can start your own business, write a book, go back to school to get your degree, change jobs, buy a house, travel to an exotic island or raise your kids to believe they can do all those things and more; there is always going to be someone lurking behind you to tell you those things can’t happen.

When people live in fear they will try to cast their fears on you.  They haven’t lived their own dreams.  They haven’t overcome their own challenges and most of all they haven’t learned how to grow.  Without growth, all of their hopes, dreams and ideas will die with them but that doesn’t mean that has to be you too.

Don’t let someone else decide for you what your life should be or how you should live it.  You have everything you need to be great. All you have to do is get started.  Surround yourself with people, pictures, books and seminars that will help you to achieve your goals.

Then you got to kick some people out of your life boat.  Clear a path for yourself and don’t drag people along who don’t support what you were trying to achieve.  Anyone who always has something negative to say and nothing positive to offer has to leave your boat.  As my dad used to say, “some people you got to love at a distance because everybody can’t go where you’re trying to go.”  In the last year that statement has begun to make more and more sense to me. BE YOU!  Live out loud and be who God created you to be!

Everything you want is on the other side of fear…:)

#FindingStrength #Inspiration #Focus #HealthyMinds #Growth #LovingLife #Faith #GrowthMindest