I was recently working at a place that paid well, but it wasn’t what I loved, nor what I wanted to do. The money was steady, work was consistent, and the benefits were there. What I really want to do with my life is inconsistent, freelance, and no benefits. You can see the dilemma. In the past month few weeks I passed up three amazing opportunities doing what I wanted to do because of my commitment to the place that gave me a regular paycheck. I realized it was time to make a move. I had nothing lined up, but I knew that I needed to leave my job to pursue the career I was working towards.  I put in my two weeks notice and I started to worry about the future. I spoke with some friends and colleagues of my fear of the unknown as the days counted down. I wondered if I could take back my two weeks notice and stay, feeling that I wasn’t ready yet. My heart told me to be brave and I stuck it out.

On my last day of work I confirmed my first two freelance jobs.  I had an amazing opportunity to work with some of my colleagues who also work freelance and stay very busy. This was all the reassurance that I needed. I knew that I made the right choice. My future is uncertain and I know I need to be careful with what little money I saved, but I am optimistic. I took the leap of faith and hopefully this time next year I will report that it has been working well for me.

Affirmation: My dreams can be my reality if I work for them.

Call to Action: Is there anything holding you back today from something you wanted to do? Please share with us you dream, or how you plan to achieve your dream.

“Choose your own path.” – Fortune Cookie paper found on a chair in the Houston airport

A few days ago, I finished reading “Yes Man.” The story’s premise is the Theory of Yes; seizing opportunities that present themselves that we might otherwise ignore. At the beginning of the book, the author asks the reader to keep a list of all of the things they could have said yes to, but chose otherwise, while reading.

It didn’t take me long to complete the book, but my list was longer than expected when I finished. In the beginning, it took quite a bit of careful thought to discover opportunities I had missed; I simply didn’t recognize them right away. After awhile, it started to affect my thought patterns: I didn’t want to say yes to everything, but maybe I should start by considering saying yes more. And not just to little things, but to more important things.

Let’s just say, this is going to be a work in progress. But what’s the harm coming out on the other end having been more open to what the world has has to offer?

Affirmation: I will let go of quick responses and make thoughtful choices about the perfect path I choose to take.

Call to Action: In the coming week, strive to be more open to opportunities the world has to offer. Please share about those adventures, because who knows what will happen…

“Truth is by nature self-evident.  As soon as you remove the cobwebs of ignorance that surround it, it shines clear.” – Mahatma Gandhi

I have been spending time contemplating my life lately, During this process it has become clear to me how many lies about my life and the world around me I have put faith in.  As a result I decided to take some time to determine what my Truth is today.  I have been looking at this opportunity like some sort of cleaning, where I can recognize my false beliefs and cast them out while I firmly identify what my core truths are.

I think that I am not alone in saying that there is room for improvement in this area.  As I go throughout my days I constantly come in contact with people who are obviously stuck in a delusion that this life that we get to live is not a gift.  I think That is my first Truth, This life is a gift, I am so blessed to be present in this moment and feel how incredible it is to be alive.

My second firm truth is that this life is what I make of it.  If I believe it is a gift then I should treat it as such.  I realize that like most gifts at times it may lose its shine and appeal but usually I can find a way to actively spiff it up.  All to often I get in the mindset that I am stuck in a position because of outside circumstances but in this moment I know that is just a false belief.

Affirmation: Today I stand firmly for what is True, as my life actually is.

Call To Action: Take some time to clear out some false beliefs so that you can stand more firmly on what is actually true. Please share some of your Truths with the CLYF nation.

“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” – Desmond Tutu

Yesterday afternoon my family and I had to come together to make some tough decisions in regards to my grandfather’s living situation. It has been amazing, and it was amazing to see my family come together for my grandmother yesterday, and over the past few weeks. I can be mentally critical of my family at times, but yesterday I was reminded of how blessed I am.

I recognize that not everyone has a great biological family, but what I have also learned in my life is I am able to create a group of people around me that are just as close as “family.” It is important for each and every one of us to look for the blessings that our biological family has given us. We should also approach those that are like family, and let them know how much we appreciate them.

Affirmation: The world is full of potential brothers and sisters. I embrace you as my relative, and I extend my love to you.

Call To Action: Who is a part of your life that you have not told them you care and love them. Please share stories with us about how you embrace your biological family, or people that are just like family in your life.

“Fear kills more dreams than failure ever will.” – Unknown

30 years of my life was robbed by irrational, uncontrolled fear. Even after removing binge drinking from my life I was still in the shackles of fear. Not the fake fear that you see in movies or you hear from children, but the kind of fear that ripped the joy and life out of my soul. Thankfully,  I have been blessed with a spiritual awaking that has shown me fear is not to be avoided but reviewed and dissembled as a bomb squad does the most treacherous of deadly devices.

This may sound dramatic but to me it was all too realistic. An all too pathetic dilemma was deciding what movie to watch on a Friday night. “What if I don’t like the movie after I start it ?” “There is no way I could enjoy this, why waste 2 hours watching this?” Yes, after extended periods of flipping channels and these type of irrational conversations I would waste hours. Not to mention I would see no movie (which I may have enjoyed) and caused myself an abusive mental work out. In dating situations or out with the guys I would always seem cool and confident when truthfully I was dying inside constantly trying to make everyone like me and be the guy I thought I needed to be to “fit in”.

What has changed in my life to grant me this “Spiritual awaking”? I have experienced over 2 years 9 months of continuous sobriety and I worked with others who have the calm and piece of mind that I wish to enjoy. I also studied other people and I realized we all have our internal issues. We all are great at somethings and have room for improvement in other areas.

Affirmation: I will no longer let fear stand in my way of enjoying what fate has in store for me.

Call to Action: In your life don’t be too fearful to make a new contact. Hold the door and say good morning (with respectful eye contact) to a stranger. Buy the person behind you their morning coffee. Leave a note for a loved one to say how meaningful they are to you. Please share your experiences with the CYLF community.

“Most of life is showing up. You do the best you can, which varies from day to day.” – Regina Brett

Yesterday I had an amazing chance to show up in other peoples’ lives. I woke up to a call from a man who has a drinking problem. He has been able to stay sober for sometime, but for some reason he purchased a couple bottles of alcohol and was going to drink them. Deep down he did not want to drink, luckily I was able to invite him over to my house, we poured the alcohol down the sink and ate breakfast.

30 minutes after he and I went our separate ways.  My grandmother called, she was very worried about my grandfather because his leg was swollen and he was very short of breath. I was able to take my grandparents to the ER, once my grandfather was admitted to the hospital I stayed the night with him.

Just a few days prior to this unfolding in my life, I was focusing on “my life” and “my needs” and where I needed more things in my life. This day was a reminder of how grateful I am for the life I am able to enjoy today. I am able to show up for others at a drop of a hat. When I went to bed the night before, the way I envisioned my day was much different than how it unfolded. Thank You Life!

Affirmation: I show up for life just the way it unfolds. My life plays out perfectly on a Universal level.

Call to Action: Who is someone that you have shown up for recently. If you can not think of anyone, think of someone you can show up for today. Please share your experience with the CYLF community.

“I believe that we were meant to live as social creatures, to reach out and bless each other’s lives.” – Richard Paul Evans

A couple days ago I received a text message from a good friend I have not spoken to for a couple years. Normally a message out of the blue would seem strange, but since it is the holiday season texts and calls out of the blue are normal and actually seem common. I took the example from my friend and reached out to a few others.

As the years go by we make friends, move, drift apart, become romantically involved, and just grow up. For whatever reason time goes by and we lose contact with friends that are important. As more time passes the phone becomes heavier to pick up and liking a picture on Facebook starts to feel like a justifiable equivalent. I assure you an actual conversation will reward you on a deeper level and the person on the other side of the phone call will be glad to hear from you.

Affirmation: I am important to my fellows and they would love to hear from me.

Call to action: Take advantage of the holidays and take an interest in those you haven’t spoken to in a while. Pick up your phone and call an old friend from the past.