Staying Strong: 365 Days a Year (12 page)

Goal:
Listen to your heart and trust your instincts.

July 19

You get in life what you have the courage to ask for.

—OPRAH WINFREY

People will come in and out of your life. Not everyone’s going to know how to make you feel good, but don’t get hung up on that—just let it go. The people who stay are the ones who make you feel wonderful. But don’t rely on others to make you happy, because sometimes you will be disappointed.

Goal:
If someone has let you down, ask yourself—Will this matter a year from now? It’ll help you let go and gain perspective.

July 20

Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and oftentimes, we call a man cold when he is only sad.

—HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW

Don’t take anything personally. Whatever people say and do isn’t because of you, it’s a projection of the way they are feeling inside. When people are kind to you it is because they are kind and loving to themselves. When people lash out at you with their words and actions, it’s not because you have done something bad but because they are suffering themselves. Have mercy for those who lash out at others. We don’t know what they’re struggling with at home.

Goal:
The next time someone says something that hurts you, visualize it as a bead of water that rolls right off you.

July 21

All kids need is a little help, a little hope and somebody who believes in them.

—MAGIC JOHNSON

Hope is such a powerful gift to give young people. So many children come from broken homes and they are deprived of love, emotional nourishment, and support. When you give a child hope they see all the dreams they’re capable of.

Goal:
Step out of yourself and sign up to volunteer with children who are less fortunate than you.

July 22

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.

—JAMES BALDWIN

The damage and the impact that bullying has made on my life is tremendous. There was a long period of time when I let the pain define who I was. It was important for me to find a balance between coming to terms with it all and letting go. I took a huge step when I confronted the girl who bullied me. I told her how her words scarred me and made me feel worthless. They ultimately led to other emotional and physical issues I’m still overcoming. She hardly remembered her actions and was convinced that I would have forgotten all about it now that I was successful. I was so shocked at our different perceptions, but more than anything I felt like a massive weight was lifted off my chest. I forgave her, which made me feel stronger and clearer, and that’s exactly what I needed all along.

Goal:
Think of someone from your past who has hurt you. Have compassion and look beyond their faults.

July 23

It is easier to prevent bad habits than to break them.

—BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Now is the time to give up bad habits. They’re only hindering your recovery. Sometimes we don’t even realize what our bad habits do to us. We have a fear of letting them go, but now is the time to set them aside.

Goal:
Do an inventory of your habits. Are they postively affecting your life?

July 24

Everything will be okay in the end, if it’s not okay, it’s not the end.

—ANONYMOUS

When you find yourself going through difficult times, you may think life is over and ruined. But you’re not even close. When I went into treatment I was convinced my life was over. I thought I wasn’t going to have a career and that people wouldn’t like me anymore. I thought it was the end, but really it was the first day of the rest of my life. No matter what you’re going through, you can start over and find the positivity in a new beginning.

Goal:
Give yourself time to process whatever you are going through in life. It’s never too late to have a fresh beginning.

July 25

Your passion is infinite.

When you connect to the passion within you, there are no limitations. Passion is the driving force to any art and it’s up to you to make something beautiful with your life.

Goal:
Remind yourself that you are capable of great things with hard work.

July 26

Do your part to make this world a better place.

I’m a firm believer in leaving this world a better place for future generations. Being a public figure has presented me with so many extraordinary opportunities to give back, to volunteer, and to touch so many lives along the way. I’ve had the privilege of advocating for children and adults all over the world dealing with bullying, eating disorders, and mental health issues. Every-one has causes close to their hearts, so whatever you’re passionate about do something to make a difference.

Goal:
Pick up the phone and volunteer at a local nonprofit organization.

July 27

Success is becoming who you really are.

—ANONYMOUS

One of the most challenging things in life is figuring out who you’re meant to be. If you’re already on a journey to become who you are—you’re already a success because that’s farther than most people.

Goal:
Help a friend who feels lost. Maybe you can help them get on track to find their own identity.

July 28

Nobody is as powerful as we make them out to be.

—ALICE WALKER

Most of us, at one time or another, hide behind our favorite fictional character or mythology; for me it’s always been Cinderella. She lives under the shadow of her sisters and is forced into servitude until one day her unfortunate circumstances are turned into fortune. When I was younger I was always known as Dallas Lovato’s little sister. She never meant for me to feel this way, but I always felt like I was in her shadow. Even though I was so proud to call her my sister, I never felt like I could fully shine. It’s taken a lot of work for me to feel like I can shine on my own. I realize that overcoming that obstacle was part of my journey in truly loving myself. Today I have a closer relationship with my sister, all because I let go of my envy towards her.

Goal:
Don’t be content in the shadow of anyone. Break out and love yourself.

July 29

Always have hope. The best feeling in the world is knowing that there are infinite possibilities.

—ANONYMOUS

In our darkest hours there’s always a ray of light to be seen and a kernel of hope to be found. Grab onto that hope and let the excitement of all the possibilities motivate you.

Goal:
When you’re down, search for the glimmer of hope inside you and let your mind run wild with the promise of what’s to come.

July 30

This too shall pass.

—ANONYMOUS

Reflecting on some of the painful experiences I’ve been through, I realize how hard it can be to overcome sadness and pain. I realize that time doesn’t heal all wounds completely, but it helps the pain subside. No matter how long it takes, you will feel better at some point. You will accept what has passed.

Goal:
However you’re feeling today, know that things will get better, and let that make you happy for now. It
will
get better.

July 31

Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.

—OSCAR WILDE

We all have moments when we feel lost. We look to our friends, our colleagues, our roommates, and even to strangers thinking that maybe the answer to happiness is about being someone else or changing who we are. I promise you this will make you miserable. It’s one thing to be inspired and influenced by someone who has good taste and good values. It’s quite another to think that by becoming someone else you will be happier.

Goal:
Be yourself today and every day.

August 1

Hope can get you through anything.

There have been so many times in my life when I’ve felt lost, broken, confused, and filled with pain. All of my ups and downs have taught me that I must always have faith. I know now that as long as I maintain my hope and my faith I will always be okay.

Goal:
Think about a time in your life when you felt hopeless and remember how you got through it. Apply it to future struggles. You can get through anything.

August 2

Love is the answer, and you know that for sure; love is a flower, you’ve got to let it grow.

—JOHN LENNON, “MIND GAMES”

All kinds of relationships require love and respect. Those things take time. Make sure you nurture the relationship that you have with yourself and the relationship you have with your family and friends. It’s not enough just to say you love them. You have to put in time and effort and demonstrate your love through your words and your actions.

Goal:
Show someone you love them with your actions. Sometimes saying “I love you” is not enough.

August 3

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.

—E. E. CUMMINGS

Growing up is difficult, and just when we think we are done growing, we realize we’ve only just begun. When I went into treatment, I thought my problems were over and done. The truth is you must always keep working on yourself and your recovery.It’s dangerously easy for us to get too comfortable, so it takes courage to move forward and accept change.

Goal:
Rise above any obstacles placed in your way so that you may become the person that you really are.

August 4

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

—NEWTON’S THIRD LAW OF MOTION

When my father passed away, I was filled with such a deep sense of loss and utter heartbreak. For all my pain, I knew there existed an equal sense of hope. It was important for me to honor my feelings, but also to use the pain I was in to do something magnificent.

My father and I didn’t have the best relationship because he struggled with mental health issues and addiction, but I decided to honor him by starting the Lovato Scholarship at Cast Recovery to help one person at a time who is dealing with an addiction or mental health issue. This was my way of taking a tragic moment in my life and turning it into something positive.

Goal:
The next time you are in a sad situation, find a way to turn it around to find the positive spin.

August 5

We are what we repeatedly do; excellence then is not an act but a habit.

—ARISTOTLE

Anything you want to be wonderful at requires patience and practice. It’s as simple as brushing our teeth, which we hardly think about because we do it three times a day. By repeatedly doing a healthy habit we make it a regular part of our routine. It’s good to have healthy habits; the more you have, the better you will become. When you strive every day to be better, eventually you will be.

Goal:
Figure out what you love and what is good for you and make it a habit.

August 6

We’ve got to live, no matter how many skies have fallen.

—D. H. LAWRENCE

Things come to you for the right reasons at the right time so don’t resist them. Surrender to these gifts and challenges with grace and ease.

Goal:
Whatever you’re fighting today, surrender to it.

August 7

I don’t like to gamble, but if there’s one thing I’m willing to bet on, it’s myself.

—BEYONCé

Recovery was a painful, humbling journey that allowed me to really know myself in a way I never thought possible. There’s freedom in knowing and accepting that I will never be perfect. Recovery is a daily effort, and it’s important that I continue to work hard at it. I can’t get lazy about it or take things for granted but that’s been part of the learning experience.

Goal:
Whether you are in recovery or not, think about your journey and how you can continue to improve and enrich your life each and every day.

August 8

The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.

—MARCEL PROUST

It’s important to see the world with your eyes open. Always be looking to find something new even in the most ordinary of places. It’s great to see the world, but it’s all for nothing if you aren’t ready to see new things.

Goal:
Try to see something or someone from a new perspective. Release all preconceived notions.

August 9

Remember only God can judge ya Forget the haters cause someone loves ya

—MILEY CYRUS, “WE CAN’T STOP”

You can’t please everyone. The only thing you can really focus on is living your life. If someone doesn’t like what you do, just remember it’s not personal and keep expressing yourself the way you want to.

Goal:
Don’t think about how people will perceive you or how you express yourself. As long as you’re bettering yourself and making yourself happy, nothing else matters.