Change Your Life Friday

2021 Restart, Reset, & Relaunch

Creativity

Posted on July 26, 2013 by changeyourlifefriday

“…by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”

-Sylvia Plath

Over the past few years one of my friends and I have talked about creating a movie script. Every once in a while we would bring it up and make comments about different ideas for scenes, characters, topics or themes. This talk and banter has always been fun, but until this week it had not gone much further than that. In truth, I never really took it much further than the idea, since I had no experience in the script writing or movie- making realm.

On Wednesday, my friend called me and asked if I was ready to sit down and start writing that script. Out of the habit to saying yes to life I said, “absolutely, meet me in an hour!” Before that self-doubting part of my brain could kick in, tell me I didn’t have the skills, or the experience to try something new involving creativity, he showed up. I am so grateful for my cultivated reaction to say yes today.

When my friend arrived to my house I was committed and all in. We sat down and began talking and writing, making notes, dreaming and brainstorming. The result to the effort was the birth of creativity. Two open minds came together and worked towards one common goal and inspiration happened. The experience was so positive and exciting that we sat down again, with an even bigger group of people, the next day and made more progress and created even more. What I see today is just another reminder that all of the creative thoughts that I have are always just a little effort away and they are so exciting to tap into.

Affirmation: I am a creative and intelligent being, and in this moment I am inspired to cultivate new thoughts and experiences!

Call to action: Please take some time today to flex your creative muscle. Write a poem, a story, or an experience on paper. Or reach out to a friend that you have been talking about a project with sit down together and figure out what it will take. Share your experience with us so that we can all grow together. Lets change our lives again this Friday!!!

29. Experience

Posted on July 19, 2013 by changeyourlifefriday

“What one has not experienced, one will never understand in print.” – Isadora Duncan

Last weekend at a resort in Phoenix Arizona several thousand people gathered together to celebrate their lives and inspire the lives of others. I was blessed to be a part of the planning and culmination of this event and could not be more proud of the results that were apparent throughout and after the weekend had passed. Part of my job in putting this event together was to get the word out to people so they would not miss out on the experience of being a part of something so big and beautiful. I recognized I can share a concept and an idea, I can do it with love and enthusiasm, but a concept will never have as much weight as an experience.

My life today is so much different than when I was younger, thanks to some very vivid experiences I have been graced with. These experiences gave me the ability to see how my choices were giving me a life I no longer wanted. When I look at my life in reverse, all of the great changes have taken place came as a result of some experience that opened a window of willingness to take action for a change. I often see people who are begging and pleading for a change and I do my best to tell them how the changes in my life have taken place. Sometimes, I feel so strongly about these things that I want to scream at the top of my lungs to help inspire someone but then, like this weekend, I am reminded if the words could help someone change then no one would have issues or problems.

I know today, life is what I make of it and the best I can do is help others get out in the world to have their own experiences. My life happens out in the world and the only way I can capitalize on that is by becoming a part of it as much as I can. The world is waiting for all of us when we step away from this page. With a little bit of action maybe this will be the Friday that you truly change your life.

Affirmation: A good life is not just a concept; today I will take the action to make it my actual experience.

Call to Action: This is the juice as my friend would say. Every week we share an idea that can inspire change. What this week calls for is going out and being that change and sharing with us the results. I know what my next step is and today I am going to choose to take it, the result will be an experience that I can build on to. The world is waiting for you.

15. Believe

Posted on April 12, 2013 by changeyourlifefriday

“There are no constraints on the human mind, no walls around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress except those we ourselves erect.”

― Ronald Reagan

Last Saturday I was invited to go help as a volunteer for a nonprofit that is near and dear to my heart. I was under the impression that I would be assisting with some games that included tarps and parachutes, it sounded like a blast. Due to wind, and some other circumstances the activity had changed to face painting. For anyone that does not know me, I do not have an artistic bone in my body, so I thought I would hangout for moral support. About 20 minutes into the project there were more kids than volunteers to paint faces. One of the women looked at me, smiled and said, “You can paint a heart, right?” before I could answer an eight year-old girl enthusiastically came skipping over as I, much less enthusiastically, picked up a paint brush.

While I was painting the third kids face, and saw the joy in his eyes, it dawned on me that the kids did not care about my poor painting skills they were just excited to have their face painted. My depictions of soccer balls, sharks, hearts, and even a batman logo were mediocre at best. My real lesson came as the afternoon was winding down. A very ambitious boy, who just witnessed another little boy get a skull painted on his face sat down and said “I want a brown skull, with fire eyes, and wings, and vampire teeth, and bats flying around his head, and…” the list went on for a mile. My first reaction was “I do not think I can do all of that.” Immediately he and his two siblings exclaimed “YES YOU CAN! We believe in you.” My first reaction was a cynical thought that these kids need to be a little more realistic, and my second was that they must read corny inspirational blogs.

Their excitement coupled with their unhesitant belief in my ability allowed me to paint three more skulls, two of which had fire eyes. I had a ton of fun during that three or four hours of painting, doing something that brought real joy to kids, and it reminded me the importance of getting out of my comfort zone.

It took a bunch of little kids to remind me that I need to believe in myself twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. When I am engaged in maximizing my usefulness in the moment, I get to have an amazing experience.

Affirmation: I am capable, capable on making an impact on someone else’s life. I am the positive change this world needs. I believe in myself.

Call to action: I was so blown away by the hope and belief that these kids displayed in my abilities that I did not know I had. They came through as an outer voice for that inner knowledge that says I can do anything! Well this is your reminder, take some time today to recognize some limiting thoughts and remember, “YES YOU CAN! We believe in you.” You might just be surprised in what you create as a result today. Please share your thoughts with us.

14. Winner

Posted on April 4, 2013 by changeyourlifefriday

“The odd were against us, but we deserve to be where we are.” – Steve Gerrard

I was struck by an amazing thought the other day while I was out for a run on a beautiful afternoon. It came like a flash, and I was filled with this sense of duty and purpose, in that moment I was at perfect peace and was fully aware of the greatness of my life and experience. The thought that I had was simple and I know that I have had it before but like most things it would stay for a bit and then fade, as a result I would forget one of the most amazing things that truly can inspire me at any moment. The thought “I am truly blessed to be alive, the chances of me getting to be must be astronomical.” What I knew after thinking that was that I am grateful for this chance today and this experience and I want to make sure that I am showing that gratitude in every moment of my life.

For the past week or so I have been revisiting this idea, enjoying the feeling that comes when I think about how special I really am to have this chance to experience life and also how special everyone else is who has gotten their chance as well. As usual I wanted to look a bit deeper into what the odds really are, did I really hit the lottery already? Have I already been granted the greatest gift the universe can bestow. So I hit the internet up for some answers. First I would like to say that I have gambled in my life and I know that a 1 out of 100 chance is pretty poor odds. Furthermore my chances of winning the powerball seem so unlikely but they are around 1 in 175,223,510. Now my odds of being born at this time in history are about 1 in 6000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000, that is 100 zeros if you wanna count. I would call that the not a snowballs chance in hell number.

But here I am! Writing this to you and there you are. We are the winners! We are enjoying this thing called life. Life is filled with all sorts of experiences but it seems that when I take this idea of how fortunate I am into them, regardless of how they make me feel in a moment, I am still one of the biggest winners this world has ever known. It seems so easy to get down and live completely separated from gratitude for this gift, but constant recognition of this divine miracle seems to be an amazing way to connect to what is the real truth in this world; You are so special and amazing beyond measure, you make a 1 in a million chance seem like child’s play.

Affirmation: I am so blessed to be right here right now.

Call to Action: Take some time throughout the next several days to feel how special you are. With that feeling in mind how will you celebrate your victory?

13. Step to the Plate

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“God gets you to the plate, but once you are there you’re on your own.”

-Ted Williams

Spring is officially here, which is easily my favorite season. Not only because of the weather, but every spring brings us a new baseball season. If you’re like me when you are watching the art of baseball everything just seems right in the world. The perfection displayed on a baseball diamond is a magnificent thing to witness.

Watching the game is one thing, participating is another. I am writing this because a few days ago, not on the ball field but in the game of life, I was thrown a curveball. The end result was a big swing and a miss. I immediately found myself irritated, frustrated and mad. Why did I deserve this curveball? I try to participate in life everyday and do my best to grow as a person at the same time embracing the the life I have been given. I thought how dare I get this for my efforts?

After stepping back and reviewing the situation with some close friends of mine I realized that I was not unhappy with the curveball, I was unhappy with myself for not being prepared for it. After all, is not life full of curveballs? I would be naive to think that life is full of nothing but fastballs right down the middle of the plate. Therefore I found myself asking why was I not prepared for the curve?

Upon a little more reflection I also realized that my life is full of fastballs right down the middle. My problem had become that I was not embracing them as I had thought I was. I was not swinging for the fences of life. Today I will fully embrace the easy fastballs that life deals me and be aware to not take them for granted. I will also prepare myself for that big sweeping curve that will someday come my way again. With some simple practices of gratitude and humility I will fully participate in all aspects of my life. With some action and practice no matter fastball or curveball I will always swing for the fences.

Affirmation: I am ready and prepared for anything that comes my way today because in this moment I am whole, loved and supported.

Call to Action: It is easy to see how an unplanned and unpredictable situation can really startle us in life but it really is through those times that we get a check as to how rightly we are living. Have you had any curveballs thrown your way lately? If so how did you adjust to get a better perspective on them? Please share so that we all can follow your footsteps of growth and change.

In continuation of building our community of inspiration, I hope you enjoyed our third guest submission. This year, the last Friday of each month a guest writer will have their submission posted. If you have a thought, stance or story to share please send it to our email @ changeyourlifefriday@gmail.com

12. Connecting

Posted on March 22, 2013 by changeyourlifefriday

“Life is a journey, not a destination.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Last weekend I had the chance to travel through several states and log many miles with a group of people in a van. Over the course of the weekend we were able to go through several stages of growth together since we all had a common goal on our journey. At the beginning of the trip it was a bit awkward because the group was comprised of 11 people who knew each other mostly as acquaintances. At some point everyone in the van started to get out of their shells through accepting the group and the role that we all had collectively as well as individually. The music inspired conversation which turned into jokes and joy for everyone involved. At some point we also came up with a chant made us smile and turned some heads which finished with the phrase, “No Regrets.” We continued to bond and by the time we returned it seemed that we didn’t want to part since our conversations continued to deepen throughout the journey.

Over the past several days since the trip we have all seemingly found reasons to get together and relive the moments that we shared on our trip and also make new memories together. I really feel that once we all started to let our guard down and talk about our lives honestly and from the heart our little community began to bond in a very beautiful way. The most interesting part to me when I look at this experience from the outside is how we all grew once we freed ourselves from judgement and accepted each other and our mission.

I think the lesson that I learned and that I want to share with you is that I find so much growth for myself through the times I spend with others. I also find that there is not much that is more inspirational than to see someone else grow and change in front of my eyes. When we left I am certain that we were all thinking about our goal for the trip but I feel that it was in the journey that we found the most growth. The only way that this can happen though is to get involved and take an active role in the lives that we have been given. I am so proud of my new crew that took that chance at being uncomfortable and put themselves in a position to show me once again that I am completed by the people that I surround myself with. Thank you all for being a part of my experience, I love my CYLfriday crew, No Regrets!

Affirmation: Today I embrace my journey. I make memories and connections with all who I come in contact with. I love the idea that all people can be old friends when I let them in.

Call To Action: Share with us a recent time that you have had deep meaningful conversation with someone other that a dear friend. When was the last time you were vulnerable, and the result was something unpredictable and beautiful?

11. Reach Out

Posted on March 14, 2013 by changeyourlifefriday

“Don’t be afraid to talk, be afraid of staying quite.” – Eugene Lebid

I was talking to a friend the other day who proclaimed that her life was ruined, her future was hopeless, and she had no one to turn to. I quickly spouted off a list of family members and friends that could potentially help her. All of which were immediately rebutted with reasons why they could not or would not based on past interactions. I simply replied maybe this time it will be different.

I know the feelings of hopelessness and isolation. I have been in that same position where I cannot see the light. It usually takes another person to point out that there is hope and the light is very close. I often forget how many people are in this world that I can turn to. I forget that when I need help all I have to do is ask. I forget that I have been here before and it is always darkest before the dawn. By reaching out and being vulnerable, I have grown in many ways. The majority of this growth was ignited by some of the most unlikely people, or so I thought. It is a great joy to go from seemingly hopeless to seeing a world of light and possibilities.

I beg of you to reach out. Talk about what is bothering you. Share your struggles with us and may we help you bear the load. When we keep things bottled inside it only makes us sick. When we share we heal and learn that maybe other people have been in our same situation and can lead us to what helped them.

Affirmation: I am loved. I have someone I can share with. I am a part of a community. I can be there for my friends who need me.

Call to action: Share something with a friend or loved one that you decided to keep to yourself. Maybe they are waiting for your call now. You can leave a comment below about how this changed your life today, or email us directly if you don’t want to talk to any of your friends. changeyourlifefriday@gmail.com

10. Evolution

Posted on March 8, 2013 by changeyourlifefriday

“Love is a sacred reserve of energy; it is like the blood of spiritual evolution.” – Teilhard De Chardin

Over the last five years I have been conscious of my ever growing life, and specifically I have been an active member in my own personal evolution. I am fairly certain this process has been going on my entire life, but I also humbly acknowledge I have not always been a participant in the development.

Today I get to be engaged in my personal growth. My greatest growth has come in two forms. First when I realize something in my life that is an internal block to Love, and in response to this epiphany work to dissolve that block. This usually occurs when some “crisis” occurs. It might look like an end of a relationship or perhaps a financial problem. The other is when I actively find situations that take me out of my comfort zone, and makes me aggressively do some deep soul searching. One personal example is a meditation retreat I attended.

Inadvertently this week’s topic has elements of the last 3 weeks of CYLFriday. The fact is it takes a great deal of self-love and persistence to evolve in breaking down internal barriers, and seeking barriers that I may not be aware of. The process has been such a wonderful adventure I now find it important to pass it on to others. If I am able to take action to be a better me this is the best type of leadership I can give my fellow wonderer on this path called Life.

Affirmation: I draw from the sacred well of life to bring in the Love that helps me to evolve to a new outlook and new me.

Call to Action: You are an ever-evolving, ever-unfolding expression of love and life. Take some time to see where this growth has taken place recently, truly take the time to honor that growth and share it with the people around you. I know the best teachers that I have ever had in my life are the ones that knew and lived their passions. You are one of those teachers, head forth and find your students!

8. Leadership

Posted on February 22, 2013 by changeyourlifefriday

In continuation of building our community of inspiration, please enjoy our second guest submission. This year, the last Friday of each month a guest writer will have their submission posted. If you have a thought, stance or story to share please send it to our email @ changeyourlifefriday@gmail.com If you feel called, please listen to the words of our second guest and lead us…

“A leader is a dealer in hope.” Napoleon Bonaparte

I feel like Napoleon, despite his politics, can teach us all an excellent lesson in leadership. For he was a man not even born a Frenchman but ended his rein as the Emperor of France, King of Italy, Mediator of the Swiss Confederation, and Protector of the Confederation of the Rhine, which stretched from Norway to Prussia to Spain.

He accomplished these feats by offering hope. His countrymen and even the people he conquered were in dire need of hope. He saw the need and he provided relief that situation demanded. He used hope as an instrument to motivate and lead individuals.

We must remember, he was not unique and his situation was not unique. He only had the passion needed to capitalize on such a situation. He had the self-confidence, determination, integrity and the emotional intelligence to accomplish his goals. He took the skills he possessed and turned them into hope for millions.

Once again we must remember, he is not unique in this area. We all have these gifts. It just depends on if we choose to utilize them or not. It has been proven,

LEADERS ARE NOT BORN; THEY ARE MADE.

Every one of us could be a leader if we simply make the decision to lead. We all have that power within us. We have the power to give hope, and there will always be followers seeking hope.

Affirmation: I have the power to lead and I have the capability of offering someone hope.

Call To Action: Never sell yourself short and think that you aren’t good enough to positively influence another human being. Find a person who is dying for hope and show them the way. We all have experiences that can help another person, do not let this go to waste. Live. Know. Show.

7. I Love Myself

Posted on February 15, 2013 by changeyourlifefriday

“The most powerful relationship you will ever have is the relationship you have with yourself.” –Steve Maraboli

Once a year our culture is reminded to put forth some effort in an expression of love to the people we care about with gifts, kind words and amazing gestures. I hope that all of our community was able to find someone else to share their love with, whether it was a friend or a lover, a parent or a child, maybe even a stranger. If you had this chance and were graced with the joy of another I think you got it right. The process of bringing the love we have within to the physical plane can quickly lift the giver and the receiver up in an instant.

That brings us to today; the day after all of the Valentines giving is gone. This seems to me to be the perfect time to give a little love back to ourselves. Actually it may be better served today to give yourself a lot of Love. I have often heard throughout my lifetime that is wrong to pat ourselves on the back or to put ourselves first. What I know today is that if I am not right with myself and I do not love the me that I see, I will not be able to love you or anyone else fully and completely.

So on this day after Valentines, I am going to spend some time reminding myself of all the good things that I do and all the good that I am. It is very easy to put ourselves down and most of us do it very often. Just as we shed those feelings about our partners yesterday let us shed those feelings about ourselves today.

Affirmation: I love who I am in this moment, exactly as I am, as I really am.

Call to Action: Make it a point to give yourself some love today. Write a note to yourself about how much you love those things that make you you. Put it somewhere that you can see it throughout the day as a reminder. Take this as a chance to woo yourself, you deserve it, and who knows you better than you?