The messages we get from media suggest perfection. It’s easy to forget that we are most likely viewing someone else’s “highlight reel” rather than their behind-the-scenes footage. My behind-the-scenes footage includes rolling out of bed after hitting the snooze button five times, fumbling for some coffee, getting dressed, and scrambling to get my daughter off to school. I put on makeup in the car (at traffic lights) and whip into my parking place just before my show goes live.
Like many of you, I am a busy working mother trying to make my mark in this world. Every day, I juggle the many facets of my life and some days I fail miserably; other days, I feel like singing from the mountain top. It is all about choices, and I choose not to compromise the well-being of my mind, body, and spirit. We simply can’t let our circumstances dictate how we live our lives. You will never have enough money, time, support or resources if you continuously focus on what you don’t have. My world positively changed when I began to focus on what I have, rather than on what I don’t. I also surround myself with an inner circle of women who support, inspire, and encourage one another as they go after their dreams. My grandmother was right––it is not about the quantity of people in your life, it is about the quality.
Another major lesson I have learned on my journey of success is that you cannot trick your belief system. If you believe you can (or can’t) do something, you are right. The secret to having it all is believing you already do—and for good or bad, what you dwell on expands. Right now, at this very moment, you are in the process of creating your world by what you think, believe, and expect. When we believe we are not “good enough,” we block the divine flow in our lives and can become desperate. Desperation can make us do crazy things, like settle for unhealthy relationships or compromise our health and well-being.
In order to live from a divine place, choose an empowered mindset—a pure state where excitement, joy, happiness, love, and creativity reside—a place where gratitude thrives. When you are living from that place, you tap into your full potential. I encourage you to begin to listen to what I like to call the “wisdom within.” When we’re faced with questions about the direction of our lives, we tend to seek answers outside of ourselves, but that inner wisdom is always trying to guide us. Accessing this ever-present wisdom within requires quiet-time every day. When we are purposefully quiet, we allow ourselves to sink into a deep state of surrender and openness.
Focusing within doesn’t take attention away from others, it makes you a more engaged, connected, and inspiring mother, wife, partner, friend, daughter, and/or sister. It sets the foundation for everything in your life.
My challenge to you is to set a non-negotiable time every day to turn inward and find the calm within the “busyness” of life. Pray, meditate and write in a journal. Just let your thoughts flow and follow their lead. . .don’t censor! I believe journaling can lead you exactly where you need to be.
