You are, indeed, the greatest force for you.

We often forget that life is filled, every day, with choices. How we choose determines how we live. See more here: You have choice.

When you're having a bad day, a bad month, or a shitty year

This is an important lesson to remember when you're having a bad day, a bad month, or a shitty year.  Things will change: you won't feel this way forever.  And anyway, sometimes the hardest lessons to learn are the ones your soul needs most.  I believe you can't feel real joy unless you've felt heartache.  You can't have a sense of victory unless you know what it means to fail.  You can't know what it's like to feel holy until you know what's it like to feel really fucking evil....This was when I learned...that sometimes you need to let go of everything you're clinging to and start over, whether because you've outgrown it or because it's not working anymore, or because it was wrong for you in the first place. ~ From, If You Have to Cry, Go Outside: And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You, by Kelly Cutrone

The Road goes ever on and on

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began,
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many path and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

From, The Lord of the Rings – The Old Walking Song sung by Bilbo Baggins

Choice, not Chance

"Excellence is never an accident.  It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.  Choice, not chance, determines your destiny." ~ Aristotle, Greek Philosopher

Ignore the odds and go for it

"There will be a few times in your life when all your instincts will tell you to do something, something that defies logic, upsets your plans, and may seem crazy to others.  When that happens, you do it.  Listen to your instincts and ignore everything else.  Ignore logic, ignore the odds, ignore the complications, and just go for it." ~ Judith McNaught, Novelist

Living Beyond the Comfort Zone

"Struggling and suffering are the essence of a life worth living.  If you're not pushing yourself beyond the comfort zone, if you're not demanding more from yourself -- expanding and learning as you go -- you're choosing a numb existence.  You're denying yourself an extraordinary trip." ~ Dean Karnazes, Author/Marathon Runner

Your present circumstances...

"Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go they merely determine where you start." ~ Nido Qubein, Author/Consultant

"I've come back from the colorless world of despair..."

"In my own worst seasons I've come back from the colorless world of despair by forcing myself to look hard, for a long time, at a single glorious thing: a flame of red geranium outside my bedroom window.  And then another: my daughter in a yellow dress.  And another: the perfect outline of a full, dark sphere behind the crescent moon.  Until I learned to be in love with my life again.  Like a stroke victim retraining new parts of the brain to grasp lost skills, I have taught myself joy, over and over again." ~ From, High Tide in Tucson: Essays from Now or Never, by Barbara Kingsolver

What's going on inside of us always directs what we do outside of us.

There is no question that our inner life directs, guides, and impacts our outer life. Author Brian Tracy offers some helpful insights on how to keep the right balance. See the article here: As Within,So Without.

Hopefulness Is Better Than Happiness for Diet Success

We all want to make as healthy choices as we can when it comes to our diet. These days health experts are nearly all in agreement that what we eat and how we take care of ourselves are critical factors in good health. Genes play a huge roll of course, but still, you can't go wrong in sticking to a healthy diet. Keeping a positive attitude helps as well. See why here: Hopefulness Is Better for Diet Success

Chose to live. Really live.

     On February 5, 1982, Steven Callahan was 800 miles west of the Canary Islands in his boat, the "Napoleon Solo."  
     In a matter of moments his boat was capsized and sinking in a fierce storm.  When the waters settled, Callahan, 30 years old at the time, was alone in a leaky raft.  With only a few resources at hand he collected rainwater for drinking and pieced together a crude spear for fishing.  He ate barnacles and now and then small birds he captured.  In order to keep his mind active he made notes of his experience.  He did yoga when he was able even though he was terribly weak.
     For seventy-six days he drifted in the ocean.  Then on April 21 he was discovered by the crew of a boat off the coast of Guadeloupe.  He is the only person to have survived alone more than a month at sea.
     He described his ordeal in his book, Seventy-six Days Lost at Sea.  
     Although an experienced seaman, Callahan says he survived because he made a choice.  He was determined to stay alive and to endure whatever was necessary in order to be rescued.  He chose to struggle.  He chose to not give up.  He chose to live however he could.
     We all face similar, if not as dramatic, choices every day.  They may have to do with our marriage or a relationship we are in.  They may be about a healthy lifestyle or the courage to start a new career.  They may be about friends or family or coworker conflicts.  They may be about dreams or hobbies or wishes unfulfilled.
     The choices we make ultimately decide the lives we live.  As the French philosopher Camus said, "Life is the sum of all your choices."
     Choose to live, really live.
© 2011 Timothy Moody

7 Easy Ways to Lighten Up Your Snacks - Health.com

Summer is a time of great snacks and drinks. But often we grab the least healthy choices. Here are some better suggestions for us. See them here: Health.com

Authenticity

"Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It's about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.” ~ Dr. Brene Brown, The Gift of Imperfection

True strength is not about force

How do we make strong choices in life? How do we pull from inside us resources to do the hard things, the best things, the good things? It requires inner strength. Here are some brief, excellent thoughts about how we do this: Strength by Kent Nerburn

Another Way is Available

Choices are open to all of us. All the time. Here is something worth reading: Every moment you have a choice.

Be Tough

Be tough in the way a blade of grass is: rooted, willing to learn, and at peace with what is around it. – Natalie Goldberg, American Author 

Who Will You Be?

The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. ~ Emerson

How to Stay Encouraged

1.     Be careful what you think.  Thoughts direct us, influence our choices, color our mood.  Try to see some good in the day, in yourself and in others.  Think of things and people you love.

2.     Smile.  I know that sounds like a corny bromide but it actually helps keep us cheerful.  Give a friendly smile to four or five unexpected recipients today.  No words, just a genuine smile.

3.     Focus on what motivates you.  Stay away from spending all day mentally consumed with duties, routines, obligations.  Get in touch with what really fuels your energy.  Follow today whatever gives you a sense of eagerness.

4.     Reach out.  If you are going through a really tough time, call or have lunch with a trusted friend.  Talk about what’s bothering you.  They don’t need to solve your problems.  Just having someone to listen always helps.

5.     Be good to yourself.  When we’re discouraged we often feel a lack of confidence.  Sometimes we dabble in self loathing and decide if we were better we’d be able to handle all of this.  Or we wouldn’t even be having these problems.  None of that today.  Extend some grace to yourself.  Treat yourself to something you enjoy.  There’s no such thing as selfishness when you’re feeling a bit down.

© 2011 Timothy Moody

Destiny Can Be Directed

One discovers that destiny can be directed, that one does not have to remain in bondage to the first wax imprint made in childhood. One need not be branded by the first pattern. Once the deforming mirror is smashed, there is a possibility of wholeness; there is a possibility of joy.-- Anais Nin