The author , Don Miguel Ruiz, wrote in his book , The Four Agreements, ” our biggest fear is taking the risk to be alive and express what we really are”. Although I do believe that it is a natural impulse  to want to “belong”, it is unhealthy to base your worth on anything or anyone outside of yourself. Regardless of  your status or material possessions, true self worth comes from recognizing, embracing and ,ultimately, living your truth …. unapologetically. I read an interesting article a few nights ago. The author’s name was Darcy Bartlett and she posted her article on a website addressed www.mindbodygreen.com( I will always give c In the article, she shared five questions that could help someone to find their authentic self. I am going to share these questions with you while adding my own twist to them.

1) When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Perhaps , as a kid, you  like to play “Cowboys and Indians”, ” Cops and Robbers”, Nurse, Doctor, Astronaut, etc.. Did you ever ask yourself , at any point, what would it be like to actually be one of those characters? There are many people who knew , intuitively, from an early age, what career path they wanted to pursue . Perhaps you wanted to be a professional singer  or even a rock star, yet, either your parents, other relatives, teachers, or guidance counselors advised you to be “realistic” . They suggested you pick a career that was more secure or safer. You believed them. You might have taken their advice , pursued a “safe” career and even achieved a reputable degree of success. Are you satisfied? fulfilled? Let’s get to the point… ARE YOU HAPPY? That’s the million dollar question. Are you happy or settling for a lifestyle of quiet desperation? Welcome to the status quo.. For many of us, we were simply playing and that’s OK. I’m addressing the those of us who knew early on exactly what they wanted to do. The choice was as natural to make as drinking water, yet, they chose a different route i.e. a “safer” one. For those of us who stayed true to the vision that we had of  ourselves , there are no regrets. The funny thing is that ,at the heart of it, the true happiness is never achieved at simply at reaching the career goal. The true happiness is realized along the journey. Please don’t get me wrong. Although  it is a great feeling to accomplish a career goal, there is something to be said about the feeling of living your truth , relentlessly, despite popular opinion, en route to the accomplishment of your goal. Doesn’t it make the accomplishment that much “sweeter”? Imagine having a career that years later produces the same feeling as it did as a kid except now you get to make money at it. Each day you get to “play”. I have only one thing to say about that, ” Heaven on Earth anyone?!!!”

2) What makes you laugh?

This is a serious question. Could you imagine being happy while spending your days laughing ? Day after day?!!! What’s that like? Believe it or not, it’s your birthright. Yes, you heard me. It is a natural part of life.It is something that is innate and inborn. Laughter has many health benefits. It relaxes the whole body by relieving stress., boosts the immune system, triggers the release of endorphins (“feel-good” chemicals). To say the least, there are many mental, physical,emotional and social benefits to laughing. What you find funny tells a lot about who you are as a person.This can be a great thing. Laugh on:)

3) What clothes do you feel comfortable in?

This is an important point because clothes are a way of expressing yourself. As a disclaimer, I am not advocating that you wear pajama’s to work. I am suggesting that when you select clothes to wear, consider wearing what you feel comfortable in and which clothes reflect the real you. Be a trend setter rather than a trend follower. Be yourself.

4) What activities do you enjoy?

What do you like to do? There are no limits. Don’t be concerned with “gender oriented ” activities. Perhaps there are activities or hobbies that you have been considering, but were far too concerned with what others would think of your choices. In order to be truly authentic, you have to be comfortable in your own skin.Immerse yourself with activities that resonate with you. Have fun. Life is meant to be enjoyed. At are our core, we are energy that attracts “like” energy. Our emotional determines the situations and individuals that we attract into our space. Do everything within your power to immerse yourself with activities and hobbies that you genuinely enjoy. If you were to sum up your life by the end of it, it should consist overwhelmingly with moments of true happiness. Make that your goal ,Ok?!!:)

5) Who can you be yourself around?

It is important for us to spend time with people who accept us for who we really are and like us that way. NO one should feel compelled to put on a facade each time they leave their home. I tell my preteen daughter that there is nothing cooler than her being herself. Make it a point to be around people that make you feel good and embrace you. True friendships enrich your life as well as the other person. You look forward to being around each other. These types of relationships both energize and encourage us. The saying goes that if you have one or even two relationships like this, you are blessed. If the friendships are genuine, the more the better. When we are around people that don’t judge us, we feel free to express our authentic selves.

These are just a few suggestions to consider in order to discover and embrace the true “you”. Perhaps you can think of some additional ways. The point is to start being honest with yourself and stay that way. Life is too short to live it on someone else’s terms. Perhaps you will have to face your fears and insecurities. It’s worth it. You will be much happier and your life experiences much richer because of it. Stay true. Until next time….:)

What is bliss? Overflowing joy!!! What is a blissful life? A life filled with no regrets. It is a life lived on your terms. You don’t settle for anything less. You make  the most of each day. You are mindful and grateful to be alive . You go after what you want with genuine passion and vigor. You appreciate others right to express their opinions , but you don’t need anyone’s approval to be happy. You have challenges like anyone else, but you face them head on , in most cases, scared, yet determined to face your fears anyway. You realize that each challenge has it’s reward for those  who have the courage to go through rather than wallow in them. Challenges are not meant to cripple us . They make us stronger.

In order to follow your bliss, you must be relentless and determined to both live and maintain that level. You will not compromise your happiness. What good would  come from that for you or anybody else for that matter? There are too many people on this planet living lives of  quiet desperation. You have a choice. You don’t have to be one them. The world needs more examples of individuals like me and you that have the courage to be establish our own happiness. It is an inside job that doesn’t have to be determined by circumstances. It is a mindset. Bliss is the standard. Nothing less will do.Nothing…Make a decision . What you and I experience on the “outside” is a result of what’s going on on the inside. It has and always will be that way.

Following your bliss doesn’t mean that you will never experience unhappiness, sorrow, frustration, anger or any other “uncomfortable” state of mind. It does mean though that you make a conscious decision not to stay there. You consistently look for “daylight”. You are so focused on staying true to your cause of following your bliss that you have decided that every form of adversity exist to serve you. You might be asking ‘” In what way?”. Adversity test your resolve. It shows you how badly you truly want to be free to live life on your own terms. Will you shrink back or keep moving forward even if it might seem, at the moment, that the sky is falling down all around you? Think of how much sweeter it will be once you reach your destination. Every blessing and “curse” appear at the perfect time to “serve” you. There are no true mistakes rather opportunities in disguise. We must be commit ourselves to applying this idea to every area of our lives consistently until it becomes second nature. I never said that it would be easy, but it is possible and ,in my opinion, necessary. We must decide to no longer compromise our genuine happiness. We must continue to have the courage to be true  to  both ourselves and others. A wise person said that no one should end their life with their “music still playing”. Each of us has a song to sing .Our song is our life or rather the life that we are designed to have. It consist of our gifts,talents,dreams and aspirations realized to their fullest potential. Your existence has a direct effect on every other life on this planet. Deciding to follow your bliss, whatever that looks like for you, both directly and indirectly inspires others to do the same. Your life is unique and precious. Live it well without regrets. Until next time…. Stay courageous.

Fear is normal. Each one of us experiences fear in one way or another. The problem arises when we allow ourselves to be mastered by fear. Fear can cripple us if we allow it too. It must be managed. I often use to acronym False Evidence Appearing Real to define fear. At the same time , fear can motivate us. For example , the fear of not being able to pay our bills or keep a roof over our heads can motivate us to go to work in order to support ourselves. On the other hand, we may be allowing fear to paralyze us because we are afraid to take risks even calculated ones. There is a reason why I titled this blog “The Courage to Be Authentic”.
For the past 20+ years , I have had an “intimate” relationship with fear. I have spent a large part of my life ” on the fence” so to speak. What do I mean you might ask? I spent a large portion of my life striving to live by what I perceived as societies standard for me instead of being true to myself. I went to college , graduated, went to college again, graduated and took on several “professional” positions none which satisfied me. Living a life centered on the approval of others ,even those closest to you, is not truly living at all. I have been afraid to take risks even calculated ones out of fear of failure, fear of what others ,namely, family thought, fear of ” missing out ” on other opportunities aka distractions, fear of commitment, fear of rejection, and so on. I know what is to be “gripped” by fear. Starting a blog is one way for me to face my fears and overcome them while, hopefully, helping others to do the same.
I am going to share with you possible ways to overcome fear and use it to your advantage. Many of us might confuse fear with wisdom. For example, if you come face to face with a vicious animal such as a bear or lion, it is wise to do whatever you can to get as far the hell away form the situation as soon as possible. This is an example of true wisdom not fear. Being afraid to talk to someone who you are attracted to because of possible rejection is fear. Fear prevents you from stepping out of your comfort zone. Referring to the above example. what if you faced your fear and spoke to that person? You might be face to face with you future soul mate which, in turn, would dramatically improve the quality of your life. It is better to live a short life of courage, joy, fulfillment rather than a long life of fear, boredom and mediocrity. Let’s look at some practical ways to overcome fear.

1) Just Do It

What is the most effective way to overcome fear? Face it head on. I didn’t say that it was the easiest way ,but it has been proven that most of the things and situations that we fear  are not truly as threatening as they appear to be. The best way to find that out is to face your fear. What is the worst that can happen? You will learn something new. For example, picture someone who is afraid of riding a mechanical bull. In most cases, what would be the worst case scenario? You fall off… and?!!! Could you break your neck? Yes, it’s possible, but rarely does that ever happen. There is a calculated risk. There is a risk with any endevour. I have never heard nor read of anyone who is considered successful in their field that wasn’t willing to take risks. It comes with the territory. No one realizes his or her fullest potential without doing so.

2) Educate Yourself As You Go

I am all for educating yourself on whatever endeavour you set your mind on, but not to the point of procrastination on taking action. From personal experience, I have justified not getting started on accomplishing goals because I felt that I didn’t know enough. In many cases, it’s simply better to start while learning from your mistakes. I can’t stress the importance enough of taking consistent action  no matter how small it may seem. The key is to continually act on the accomplishment of you goals. Don’t expect anyone else outside of you to be more committed to the realization of your goals than you are. It won’t nor shouldn’t happen. You must continue to not only learn, but act, learn from the results, reassess if necessary and act again in that order. Follow this pattern consistently until the goal is accomplished and then, afterwards, set a new goal. Train yourself to embrace fear and go forward anyway( False Evidence Appearing Real remember?!!)

3) Continue To Challenge Yourself

Stay ahead of the “curve”.  Stress can become an ally. Practice challenging yourself before the challenge arises. Develop a warrior mindset. This mindset is focused on running towards the battle rather than away from it. If you face fear head on, there is always a lesson to be learned at the end of it. Challenges are necessary for growth. Consistent growth comes from consistently facing our challenges and fears while never looking back and second guessing yourself. The more you “practice” facing your fears and challenges ,despite how you might feel at the moment , the easier it becomes. We all have fears to deal with. Don’t get spooked by appearances . There is a solution to every problem. They are flip sides of the same coin like giving and receiving. A warrior is happiest during battle. Never give up the fight to establish a lifestyle by your own design. Keep moving forward until you get to the other side of the challenge that you were afraid earlier. Victory is waiting is waiting for you on the other side. There is always victory when we face our fears.

4) Change Your Attitude Towards Failure

Failure is an opportunity to learn and grow. Anyone who is has been extraordinarily successful faced failure and plenty of it.It can become the greatest teacher for you. Failure teaches us where to improve. We become sharper and more thick skinned.Each challenge and failure serves as a stepping stone towards greater opportunity. We become more seasoned. When facing your fears, there is always the chance that you might face failure of some kind, but that is part of the process. Facing your fears always leads to growth which , ultimately, leads to success. Overcoming our fears is like breaking out of prison. In order to live an authentic life, you cannot be be bound by fear. You must be free to be the person that you are designed to be and nothing less. Never settle.Make it a daily practice to run to the challenge  rather than away from it. Run to he challenge in order to to get to the other side of it. What’s on the the other side you might ask? Your freedom…

Do you want a definition of success? Ultimate  success is achieved when an individual realizes the fullest expression of themselves as human beings. You are more powerful than you might realize. You are Spirit( Pure Consciousness) having a human experience. Your thoughts become things  whether you believe it or not. You do not exist to either think or live small. You are innately  designed to both think and live to your fullest potential. The condition that each of us lives in , on a daily basis, is a result of our thinking. In order to live to your fullest potential, you must be courageous. Continue to both challenge yourself and face your fears. There is no obstacle that can permanently stop you unless you “think” it can. Make a promise to yourself to never ,ever give in to fear. Stay courageous. Until next time….

I have come to the conclusion that ,ultimately, each and every human being that has ever walked this planet has had one primary purpose: happiness. Each of us wants to be happy. Any goal attained, obstacle to overcome, or accomplishment made is a result of the pursuit of happiness. We play the lottery not necessarily to win money for the sake of having more money,but , rather, for the freedom that we hope money will give us. Whether the desire be money, relationship, career, weight loss, plastic surgery, etc…. it all comes down to the desire for happiness. We want to feel “fulfilled”.. happiness. We want to discover our life purpose… why?!!!!.. happiness. We as human beings are not as complex as we might seem at times. Each one of us wants to be happy. Whether we realize it or not. Why do so many of us experiment with drugs? To escape.. why? because the feeling of escape ,temporarily, makes us happy. Happiness will never be found outside of ourselves because there is no ” outside of ourselves”. Everything that we experience is based on our current perception of things from within ourselves. Every experience is a result of our inward state therefore this author concludes that it is only by going inward that we will find lasting happiness. What is inside is what is “real” relative to our individual perception. What is real to you might not be real to me . Although we are connected, we are not cardboard pieces. No two people are exactly alike only similar at best. We are each unique in our own way, therefore, each person’s view of happiness will not be entirely the same and that’s ok. What if this instinctive desire in each one us to be happy is the reason why we exist on this plane of manifestation in the first place? Happiness…. period.

I find that the older  I get, the more I realize the importance of being happy. Happiness determines how I treat people as well as myself. It determines the caliber of father,husband,son,  or any other role that I take on. Happiness fuels our passions and ambitions with relentless, resilient positive energy that can be used to accomplish goals that would be ,otherwise, considered impossible. Happiness is a choice. Train yourself to find something to be happy about in everyday situations reasons to be happy . Stick with it until it becomes a habit. It can you be done. Ask yourself why you think the way that you do about the people and events that you experience on a consistent basis. How do you react and why that way? Does the reaction serve you? Look for the good in yourself and others. How much do you take for granted? Make a decision to be happy where you are at right now. Become a “beast” about happiness. Stop settling for less. Choose happiness as your fuel for accomplishment. Demand it of yourself. You deserve to be happy as much as possible. Although life can be most challenging, the challenges are temporary. We, as humans, are resilient. We are also “energy”. Energy attracts “like” energy. If we train ourselves to look for things and experiences to feel genuinely happy about, we will attract more situations and people to perpetuate that feeling. Did you notice that I used the word “genuinely”. Don’t fake it. Stay true to yourself . What is the truth about you? In my opinion, your truth is that you are wonderfully unique. You have a voice and a message. Find out what it is. My dream for you is the same that I have for myself… to enjoy my “journey”. I choose to walk mine happily. How about you? Our “inner” state determines our “outer” state. Happiness is an inside job. Let’s get to work… Until next time:)

For me, being authentic is synonymous with enlightenment. Both terms are connected with being true to yourself. Both are directly connected with staying true to your values.Exactly what is  important to you ? We must learn to embracing ourselves.Love yourself despite public opinion. The term ” being comfortable in your own skin” comes to mind. Empowerment comes when  you finally realize that you are “perfectly” unique. There were no mistakes made with you.Each of us is like a rare ,exotic flower . Some of us are more closed minded to this fact than others. Nevertheless,There is no one else nor will there ever be anyone quite like you…ever. There is an “awakening” that takes place that is directly tied to your genuine happiness because by embracing your true self, you no longer live by others standards. This is what it means to “bloom”. You come into your own.You are indeed free and , in the process, you inspire others to claim their own freedom. We are all connected.  Freedom and empowerment are also both at the root of enlightenment and being authentic. Who are you? God experiencing itself,herself, himself…. all of the above. You are either consciously or unconsciously unfolding , evolving, discovering who you are , what you are, your capabilities. All is well always.There are no errors. There are only experiences and ,yes, consequences for our actions, but no judgement from anyone outside of ourselves. It only seems that way based on our own perception.Whatever is out there is us and we are it. The “word” has become flesh. You and I are timeless ideas that have taken form. There are no mistakes. When this fact has been realized, it can change your perspective about what is possible.You are no longer limited by perceived “circumstances”. You ARE pure consciousness becoming “conscious” of itself. You need only to think and decide on what it is you desire and it MUST manifest because it is an extension of you . The thought must become a thing. It is an immutable law.

Regardless of where you are in life, you can change your course.It all starts with a thought. Blooming where your planted has to do with realizing that you are far more capable and powerful than you thought you were. You have awakened to the fact that you are  limitless spirit “playing” human. Nothing in this life is permanent besides you. You are never hopeless nor alone.There are universal laws in place, regardless of where you are at in your life that exist to conspire on your behalf once you decide what you desire your life to look like. Be patient, yet persistent in living your passion every day.Look for things and situations to be happy about on a daily basis. Choose to be happy and engaged in the creative process of  designing your ideal lifestyle.  A lifestyle that best expresses who you truly are.If you persist, you will find that your “outer” circumstances will “adjust” to your inner mindset despite appearances. Stay driven and never compromise your vision. Trust the “work” that is occurring “behind the scenes” metaphysically. Do not concern yourself with the “how situations will change?”,rather, KNOW that it is bound to happen because you declared it to be so. Embrace your GODHOOD, your higher self. It is all play anyway whether you believe it or not. Yes, even the most challenging of circumstances. I do not mean to be heartless, rather my point is that challenges ,although hard, are temporary. Each of us enter this world and leave this world the same way just under different circumstances. What do we do with the time that we are here? Mindset and action are key to manifestation. Appearances are illusion. Consciousness determines reality. Decide to bloom where you are planted and do it. Until next time…

Living on purpose is the key to a fulfilled life.It means looking forward to each day because it represents the next page in a chapter in your life. You are the author actively engaged in the process of living your life on your own terms. It more than an acceptance of who you are and “you” look like. You have made the conscious decision to embrace yourself fully. You have decided to love yourself unconditionally.You realize that you are unique and so are your gifts that you are determined to share with the world. You have assumed your predestined role as a manifester. You are an artist of life and your thoughts and actions are your brushes. You realize that you are spirit having a “human” experience on this plane of physical manifestation i.e. your canvas. Your thoughts and actions determine your strokes. You stay mindful. You take nothing from granted. Your life , every moment, has significant meaning.

Living on purpose means to be a conscious creator. It means that each day you envision the details in your ideal life. You see your vision from the end already realized. From that point, you begin to work backwards. You make the most out of the resources available to you at the moment.You are persistent and most optimistic because you realize that both thoughts and actions are never in vain.You are active in building your life. You are active in establishing a life on your own terms.You are free and too preoccupied with your own life construction to be concerned about what others might think. You cherish life and see the opportunity in every situation despite what others might see. Challenges are opportunities for growth and progress. You have trained yourself to look for the good in every situation not concerned with being the odd man or woman out.

Continue to stay true to yourself . Stay “fixed” on your vision and, in time, it will become your present reality. Never ever give up despite appearances or outcomes. Your ultimately reality exist inside of you.It has always been there beckoning to be realized. Do you hear it? Listen closely. Establish a daily practice of  spending a few moments being still.Quiet. Meditate.Go within to find your answers and direction. Your intuition will never fail you.Be courageous, but, most of all, be free. You exist, therefore, you are meant to be here. Find your voice and share it boldly. In doing so, you give others the “permission” to do the same. You ARE special. There is a place in this reality that only you can fill. Find it. Claim it. On purpose. Until next time…

To be authentic as an entrepreneur means providing a service or offering a product that is an “extension” of the real you. It is having the courage to share a part of yourself. An authentic entrepreneur is willing to put him/herself out there. They are compelled to share their gifts with the world even if it means facing rejection. It is worth it for them. They have had enough of the rat race and maintaining “status quo”. The overwhelming desire has finally grown inside them to the point where it overshadows the fear of not appearing politically correct or , worse, failure.There is no more holding back. They may not know exactly how they are going to do it. They simply know that they absolutely must do something!!!

Certain business experts believe that it is better to find out what the public wants before marketing a product or service. It is my opinion, that this viewpoint revolves around gaining profit. Please don’t misunderstand me. As an entrepreneur, profit is paramount, but, so is delivering my message. The ideal scenario for me is to be able to provide a great lifestyle for my family while staying true to myself. My passion is to inspire others to realize their own unique potential and to be able to do that full time. Could you imagine being paid to do what comes natural to you?!! What would it be like to have a career which consisted of engaging in activities that you thoroughly enjoyed and getting paid substantial amounts of money to do so? For me, that would be ” heaven on earth”.

Believe it or not, each one of us has gifts to share. You have a purpose that you and only you are uniquely designed to fulfill. It is just a matter of identifying your gifts, desiring to share and learning how to “package” them. Whether you know it , like it or not, you are special. The world is better for you being in it. Embrace this truth and make the decision to “shine” in the way that best best suits you. To your continued success….. Stay true:)

What does it mean to be authentic? The Merriam -Webster dictionary has several definitions for the word: 1) real, 2) not copied or false, 3) true and accurate. Words like “real” and  “true” stick out to me. From personal experience, any time, in my life, that I tried to fit in to a group ended up going terribly wrong!! My whole purpose behind trying to fit in was to look good, but, on each occasion, I ended up looking like a complete idiot, or , at the very least , felt like one. I was miserable. My experiences have led me to  conclude that another definition for “authentic” is being happy. The importance of happiness is often underestimated. Authenticity is key . It can be challenging for many of us to be authentic especially if you have been conditioned to ” follow the crowd”. Based on my experiences, I have identified several steps towards becoming authentic that hopefully will prove helpful for you as well.

1) Love yourself.

Embrace both your strengths and “perceived” weaknesses. I say perceived weaknesses because what might be seen as a weakness to you could be encouraging for another. You are not a mistake. You are perfect just as you are. Fall deeply in love with yourself despite popular “worldview”. The world will catch up eventually. You are unique and there will never be another exactly like you. The authentic you is needed in this world to inspire others to set themselves free( authentic=happiness=freedom!!!).

2) Express yourself “fully”.

Whether it be through your clothes or sharing your opinion about different topics, never be afraid to express how you truly feel. Never be afraid to share both your likes and dislikes, regardless, of who agrees with you or not.Engage in activities and hobbies that resonate with you. Stop basing your importance on others approval of your choices. Remember that you are unique. Never shrink back. You neither do yourself or the world any favors by being a coward. I guarantee that someone in this world absolutely ” needs” to hear what you have to say. You have a significant impact on your world each time you make the decision to completely share who you truly are. You never know who is watching.

3) Practice mindfulness.

Be mindful of your thoughts and actions. Mindfulness is especially important if you have spent most of your life conditioned to maintaining “status quo”. Being authentic can be an ongoing process. It takes consistent practice especially in situations where we might be tempted to be intimidated( work, family gatherings, etc). Stay mindful of the times where you might be tempted to give a “rehearsed” answer to a question or when expressing your opinion to someone that you know doesn’t share your viewpoint. Learn to respectfully disagree, but, by all means, stay true to yourself.

In conclusion, being authentic is necessary in order to have a fulfilling life. Make it a daily practice to love yourself, express yourself fully and be mindful when you are tempted not to follow the first two steps.You owe it to yourself be happy and do everything that you can to stay that way. Happiness is an inside job. Becoming authentic is key. Stay real. Until next time….

Did anyone see the Academy Awards ? I titled this post after a statement made by a screenwriter named Graham Moore during his acceptance speech for the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay,” The Imitation Game”. I said and I quote, ” So in this brief time here, what I wanted to do was say this: When I was 16 years old, I tried to kill myself because I felt weird , I felt different and I felt like I didn’t belong. And now I’m standing here and so I would like this moment to be for this kid out there who feels like she’s weird or she’s different or she doesn’t fit in anywhere. Yes, you do. I promise you do. Stay weird,stay different and then, when it’s your turn, and you are standing on this stage, please pass the same message to the next person who comes along. Thank you so much.”

I found his words both inspiring and empowering. He positioned himself as a role model for what is possible for the countless number of us who struggle daily to embrace their true selves. Individuals who live out each day in silent agony crippled by the fear of rejection and judgement. Each one of them unique and talented in their own special way as we all are. Although strides have been made in  supporting diversity and inclusion, there is still room for growth. It is my opinion, that there is no more nobler task than to discover and embrace your true self. How many times have we heard or read about the importance of loving one another? Remember Sunday school? (That is, if you grew up “in the church”). I have also heard the question asked “How can you truly love someone if you don’t love yourself?” I agree. Self love and self acceptance are necessary for full expression of ourselves. Full self expression is directly connected to enlightenment. In Buddhism, enlightenment is defined as awakening. You might ask yourself, “Awakening to what?” I define true enlightenment as awakening to your true self and embracing it. Enlightenment is not only limited to embracing our unique selves, but also the unique qualities of others around us. Each one of us is a different aspect of the whole originating from the Source of all things.

Picture what a true enlightened  society would look like. Imagine a society where all people were embraced for who they truly are.  The first step is  tolerance The second step is acceptance. Embrace is the ultimate goal. In a civilized society, no one should ever feel that they don’t belong. There are no “mistakes” walking the earth . If there has ever been a time in your life that you felt that you didn’t fit in, count yourself blessed. You are among the many individuals throughout history who embraced themselves in order to find the courage to share their unique genius with the world. Consider yourself part of an “elite class”: Albert Einstein, Leonardo DaVinci, Thomas Edison, Temple Grandin, and so on…. Let’s not forget those of us who stayed courageous and true to themselves without receiving public notoriety. There are too many to count. If we are all truly connected, one persons thoughts and actions effect all others. You deciding to express yourself fully potentially inspires each person on this planet to do the same. Imagine what that would look like. Being authentic is practically synonymous with being enlightened. Let’s make a pact to be our true beautiful, unique selves.Stay weird , stay different. Most importantly , stay true. Until next time.

P.S. Check out my videos on You Tube : Todd Lee/Life Coach/Motivational Speaker.

I have several questions for you. What’s the big deal with New Year’s resolutions?!! How many of us truly stick with them? The majority of us quit our resolution by February. Isn’t that the “running joke”? Yet how many of us start the year off with them year after year? Einstein defined insanity as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” If we are so bent on improvement why postpone starting until the “next year”? We say to ourselves, ” I’ll go on a diet next year” or ” In the new year , I’ll stop smoking”. We declare our resolution only to immerse ourselves in the same counterproductive habits we swore to stop. We sabotage ourselves. In this post , I’m going to share several practical steps for establishing a daily practice for practically anything that you set your mind to accomplish.

1) Establish what it is that you truly want.

As I wrote earlier, if you truly want to change a certain area of your life so badly, why postpone it till “next year”? I , personally, believe that it has to do with us not being honest with ourselves. We haven’t weighed the pros and cons of making the change. How much pain is associated with the current habit versus the potential pleasure associated with changing it? This question leads us to the next step.

2) Identify the consequences for not changing the habit.

Is the habit potentially life threatening? Have you been advised to make changes by a medical professional? to stop smoking? too much alcohol? What about eating habits?Diabetes?High blood pressure? There has to be a sufficient amount of pain associated with the habit in order to initiate permanent change.

3)Start small.

Don’t overwhelm yourself. You will stop yourself before you even get started if you add to much to your plate. If you need to get in better physical shape, don’t workout as if you are training for the Olympics. Start, perhaps, with a brisk walk. Gradually increase your intensity.

I can write about having the courage to be authentic all day long, but , unless you take responsibility for your own personal development in every area of your life , you will repeatedly go through the motions. Nothing will truly be accomplished . Commitment to personal development and being authentic go hand in hand.One compliments the other. Until next time…