Hello Monday’s ~ A Life of Purpose

When I wake up everyday before my feet hit the floor I thank God for all He has done for me.  My purpose in life is to love and encourage anyone who I happen to be with on any given day.  The truth is, sometimes I fail at my purpose.

For me, my purpose isn’t my “job” although I love my job and all the people I work with. I couldn’t find another place to work that would be better than where I am right now.  Of course my goal, is to eventually work only for Melody Creek.

My purpose isn’t my family or close friends either.  Although I love and cherish each and every one of them.  I am the person that I am because they cheer me on and encourage me to live MY LIFE OF PURPOSE.  I hope you are blessed and surrounded by people who bring out the best in you and encourage you to be WHO YOU ARE.

ENCOURAGEMENT

Living a life of purpose isn’t just a one day at a time thing.  I want to be a woman of purpose.  What this means to me is that I am determined to achieve something with my life.  So, it’s going to take the span of my life to achieve it!

When I was 8 years old I wanted to see people happy.  Not make them happy but to see them be happy.  In November 1971, a song was released and it was used for a Coca-Cola commercial.  The name of the song is “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing.”

This song became my theme song.  Actually the chorus/2nd verse says this:   I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony, I’d like to hold it in my arms and keep it company.  Those lyrics spoke to me then and they still speak to me today.

I’ve always loved music.  Those lyrics with the catchy melody was my purpose in life.  I have taught people to sing…….I was a music teacher and a private music instructor for over 25 years.  I still play and sing all the time.  I feel strongly that I am fulfilling my purpose in life everyday!

The second half of that song means love and encouragement to me.  I have always seen the incredible potential in the lives of people I meet.  I want them to see themselves the way I know them to be.  It’s more than just seeing the good in people it’s seeing their value and making sure they know that they matter and are priceless.

POSITIVE QUOTE

 

 

10  THINGS TO ENCOURAGE YOU(YES, YOU!)

  1. I get happy when I hear your laugh.
  2. You are so loved!
  3. We all go through some hard and awful things.  Just know YOU ARE NOT ALONE…….ever.
  4. Don’t worry about tomorrow it will take care of itself.
  5. Helping others will make you feel like you are a SUPERHERO.
  6. I know this world seems like it’s a hurricane, so you be the calm in the storm!
  7. Thank you for all you do for me, it matters and I appreciate it so much.
  8. There’s nothing wrong with wanting it all and then GETTING IT!
  9. You are capable of INCREDIBLE things.
  10. Don’t change….Be yourself.  People will love the real YOU!

LOVE

To live a life of purpose I think you have to define what that means to you.  There’s no wrong answer it comes from inside you.  It’s what drives you and gains momentum with everything you do.  It becomes part of who you are.  It’s not a goal you can reach because it’s always evolving.  It’s personal, no one else can reach it, only you.

Do you have a purpose for your life?  I say YES you do!  Everyday you do something.  You go to work, school or maybe you take care of your children.  Whatever you do each day be the best you can be….that’s your purpose.  We all have a purpose.

For me a song ignited my purpose.  45 years ago I heard a song that didn’t change my life, I was already who I am but it helped me to laser focus on what I wanted to do with my life.  Narrowed down I wanted to teach the world to sing, to take care of the people in it, to bring them JOY and let them know of their worth.

I know that seems to be impossible but I believe all things are possible.  When you do what you know you are meant to , there’s nothing that can STOP you.  When things try you just plow through them and keep going.  Believe me I’ve had many things that I’ve had to plow through.  Those things have only succeeded in making me stronger!

I’ve been told quite a few times that I have the “tenacity of a bulldog.” I am tenacious.  I won’t back down.  I am loyal and I will defend anyone who is treated unfairly or being bullied.

I know all these things that I’ve shared in this blog are only a sliver of who I am.  Why? I don’t want to stay here, I want MORE.  This life I’ve been given is an adventure that I’m always exploring. Anything can happen but I have my purpose and I will do my best to fulfill it.

I encourage you to sit down, take some time to define your purpose for your life.  It will help you to know how incredible you are. Remember it is a process.  This is about you and no one else.  Ask yourself, “What is my life purpose?” Write it down.  It will challenge you and help you to define what it means to you.

Did this post spark something in you? I would love to hear about it.  All comments are welcome.  May this week bring you great JOY and always know you are loved.  Feel free to contact me at shelly@mel.paulcarlwebdev.com.  You are amazing!  All my best,  Shelly

 

Hello Monday’s ~ Resolutions, Dreams or Goals

Resolutions, Dreams or Goals

happy-new-year-2013_mkmpzhdo_lI wonder if you’re like me or should I say like I used to be up to this year.  Maybe you set up resolutions and didn’t achieve them or gave up a month or two into the new year.  I’m waving both hands here because that’s what I would do too.  My excuses would be I’ll start again when I have more time, it’s just too much for me I can’t do it.  I had all the excuses in the book or I’d just quit because I lost interest.

When I’d make my “resolution” for the new year I would make them as mental notes.  I think that was mistake number 1!  Then I would get easily distracted and it was easy to lose track of it in my head.  Also, everyday life could delay and distract me from what I had resolved to do.

As 2016 was coming to an end, I decided I’m not going to make resolutions anymore especially as a “mental note.” I took time to really sit down and think about my dreams (not when asleep) and how could they become realities.  This year I’m setting down in writing my GOALS!  I think by writing them down and putting them in plain sight and purposeful places, I believe reaching these goals will not only be achievable they will be accomplished.

ENCOURAGEMENT

img_3287Do you start every year with resolutions or ideas of things you want to accomplish during the course of the year?  I would really love to hear if you are like me and have missed the mark or you complete all your resolutions.

In December, I decided that I want things to be different in my life.  I feel I’m fairly organized, optimistic and capable of doing anything I set my mind to.  The fact of the matter is my life is so “busy”(just like everyone else) that there’s too much on my mind that I can’t remember what I’m supposed to do.

If you want things to change then you have to be willing to do something different.  I’ve decided 2017 is my year!  This year I want to DREAM BIG, set and achieve goals to make those dreams come true.  I wrote down personal and business goals and I’m going to break them down into 90 day tasks to make them happen.  Yes, I know it sounds doable but my dreams are huge and pretty much scary.  At this point the scarier the better because on December 31, 2017 I want to have quite a few goals surpassed not just reached.

I feel more confident that this is my time to make the change and not fall into the traps of my past.  I’ve shut the door and I’m not looking back.  I want to encourage you to GO FOR IT!  Write down your dreams, make sure they’re a little scary and break down the steps you need to take to achieve it within 90 days.  Then go for the next one.  By the end of the year you will have accomplished at the very least 4 things that you wanted to see achieved.  I dont’ know about you but that’s EXCITING!

POSITIVE QUOTE

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10 Things to ENCOURAGE YOU (YES, YOU!)

  1. Let go of what you cannot change.
  2. Only you can make you HAPPY!
  3. Breathe in strength and release your fears.
  4. If you believe you can, then you will.
  5. Choose to be UNSTOPPABLE!
  6. SHINE today.
  7. I love how persistant YOU are.
  8. You ARE good enough.
  9. Take a minute to stop and look around you, YOU can make a difference.
  10. Your life is meant to be LIVED!

LOVE

I want you to know that it’s out of love that I spend time encouraging and building up others.  I want to help with the things that I’m going through and what I’ve broken through.  I’ve really struggled with resolutions in the past and I’ve felt less of myself because I didn’t finish.  There is hope for us all!

I know goal-setting can be a really scary step to take.  I kept asking myself will I fail?  Possibly, but at least I’m going to go for it. Bottom line is these are your dreams that you want to see happen!  What are you willing to do for it to come true?  Step by step goals that are broken down into smaller steps will help you to see that you are taking ground and moving forward.  This will make you more confident as you mark off each step. Yes, you might not reach your goals within 90 days, so WHAT?! Keep going, don’t give up just break your steps to smaller tasks until you reach them.

I’m so excited to see what 2017 will bring!  Just writing this blog is one step to mark off my list, then posting it will be another.  If you’ve ever seen the movie “What About Bob” then what we’re doing is taking “baby steps” and with each step we take we will move forward.  Every step that is marked off will bring hope and fill us with a sense of accomplishment.  I believe it is true so I will keep going from step to step until my dream is REAL.

Ralph Waldo Emerson has some really amazing quotes but there are two that are driving my greatness forward right now.

  • “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm”
  • “Always do what you are afraid to do”

There are so many of his quotes that I could choose but these are the two that I am putting everywhere in my office here and at work.  On my bathroom mirror and in my car.  I am also putting my dreams/goals list in all of these places so I can mark off when I complete each task.

I hope you find this blog post helpful and useful.  I really would like to hear how you set up your resolutions, dreams or goals for this year.  Even though they might be scary that’s good according to the amazing Ralph Waldo Emerson.  Happy New Year!

I’m Shelly and I love helping those I come in contact with.  Please leave comments and share this post with those that you know and might find it helpful.  I really appreciate feedback.  Have an INCREDIBLE day and may the New Year bring you new beginnings that EXCITE you.

Hello Monday’s ~ I’m on vacation!

Yes, I know it’s Saturday but it’s true, in about 12 hours I’m heading to some much needed fun in the sun! Sometimes we just need to get away, clear our minds and re-focus right?! I’ve been dealing with random  “viruses” over the past two months off and on. I’m feeling so much better and really looking forward to this trip with some of my favorite people on this planet.  There is nothing better than spending time with the ones we love is there?

ENCOURAGEMENT

I don’t know about you but there is such a great anticipation and excitement that comes when you have a big event coming up! If you are like me you get so excited you can’t sleep. You make all these plans and that builds the upcoming event into a frenzy! I LOVE it! It’s all an incredible adventure.

Now, I know for some people this causes stress and they can’t handle it. They hate everything about planning events i.e.: vacations, parties, weddings, holidays. That’s ok it’s not your thing don’t beat yourself up over it. You are amazing at so many other things, no one is going to hold this against you. If they do, that’s their issue. You do what you do best!

Some people are great at planning but not as good at executing the plan. Others are awesome at both! Regardless stress can be involved in planning, preparing and the final result.

POSITIVE QUOTE

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10 Amazing Things About You (YES,YOU!)

  1. Be happy with who you are.
  2. You are radiant!
  3. Remember to be someone’s sunshine today.
  4. Your smile makes me happy!
  5. Laugh with me or at me I don’t mind 😀.
  6. Love with all that you are.
  7. Who can you inspire today?
  8. Incredible things are in your future!
  9. You are remarkable.
  10. Let someone know they matter!

LOVE

I will be the first to admit that when I get stressed I’m not a nice person. I’m not proud of it but sadly, it’s true.  I am being very transparent and honest because hopefully you can learn from my story.

Sometimes I don’t realize I’m stressed until my poor husband says “Shelly, you are being mean” then I have to stop and think.  I don’t want to be thought of that way ever especially to my family.  I absolutely love them beyond measure.

At that point I have a choice, I can continue being mean and stressed or I can stop and apologize for my behavior and change it. All of this is hard because it’s a pride issue!  I hate to be wrong and to admit it. I’m just being real here.  I would rather just blame it on something or someone else but the truth is I just can’t do it. I want to be done with it and to get rid of the stress so it might take awhile but I will apologize.

The interesting thing about stress is that it can do such damage to us physically, mentally and spiritually.  Many times we don’t even realize it unless we pay attention or the people around us love us enough to tell us. Stress can kill us from the inside out.

We need to learn how to de-stress.  Some people watch tv, exercise, meditate, listen to music, color or have various hobbies.  Make the time for you to do whatever you need to so you are living as stress free as possible. You are worth the investment.

I know you’re busy, who isn’t? Think of it this way, what if you don’t take that 15-60 minutes for yourself everyday to unwind and something happens to you? Maybe you get a bad report from the doctor, there are so many stress related illnesses. Don’t go another moment without knowing how valuable and loved you are! You are needed to fulfill your purpose here without being dragged down by stress.

I think after I get home from this vacation I will take that hour as a mini-vacation everyday. Not that I want to go back to the “stress” of the day, that would defeat the purpose wouldn’t it? I’m thinking more like to keep the relaxed frame of mind you have when you’re on vacation.

I hope you have an incredible week! I’ll share pictures on Facebook while I’m away and try not to rub it in because that would be mean. Take care of yourself and always know that you are loved 💗. Please leave a comment and share with your loved ones. Let me know if you relate to this topic at all! All my best

~ Shelly