Staying Strong: 365 Days a Year (14 page)

September 1

I’m worthy enough, beautiful enough, and I don’t need anything else to feel whole.

—UNKNOWN

When we truly feel whole inside is when we own our beauty and inner strength. Each of us has our own standards for what makes us happy and how we want to live our lives. Those standards are formed and shaped by our own experiences through trial and error. We are meant to constantly evolve and adjust these standards as we change and grow. When you stay true to your voice and your deepest self you will always be whole.

Goal:
Today, keep in mind that you don’t need anyone else to complete you because you complete yourself.

September 2

Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.

—ZORA NEALE HURSTON

Gossip, judgments, bullying, and other negative influences can make us want to hide our true feelings, whether feelings of sadness, joy, or love. It’s not easy to trust that you can be yourself, even with those who love you. When you let in the love of your family and your friends, your heart and soul will soar.

Goal:
Take the time to appreciate those who love and support you and accept you for who you are.

September 3

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.

—A. A. MILNE

Nobody knows how long we are on earth for; you don’t want to waste your time here stressing about the next day. You should just appreciate the moment and try to cherish it as often as you can.

Goal:
Realize that time is limited and challenge yourself to live each day to the fullest. What is a way you can live your life to the fullest today?

September 4

Jail didn’t make me find God; he’s always been there. They can lock me up but my spirit and my love can never be confined to prison walls.

—LIL WAYNE

At the end of the day your spirit and soul can never be compromised. No matter what kind of limitations or boundaries people may try to create around you, it’s your ability to love yourself and others that moves mountains.

Goal:
Don’t allow your emotional restrictions to hold you back.

September 5

Life is beautiful . . . You are worthy of it.

Never
devalue yourself.
Never
forget how beautiful you really are. People in certain situations can sometimes make us feel we aren’t good enough by society’s standards. But it’s natural to feel that way. You just need to know how to find your way out of that negative place.

Goal:
Remind yourself that you are beautiful exactly the way you are.

September 6

Each morning, we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.

—BUDDHA

We’re never doomed because we’re being reborn each day and life is filled with new opportunities. You have the freedom to wake up one day and decide to travel the world, change career paths, or reach out to a friend you haven’t spoken to in years. Every day is filled with new ideas and possibilities.

Goal:
Do something unexpected and out of character today. Free yourself.

September 7

Walk by faith, not by sight.

—2 CORINTHIANS 5:7

If I had allowed myself to live and dream based only on what I was seeing right in front of me, I wouldn’t be anywhere close to where I am today. But I had faith in my dreams, my imagination, the power of my thoughts, and my hopes for a better life. I could’ve let the way I was treated in school—the bullying, the mean words said to me—define the way I lived, but I didn’t. Rather than choosing the life that was right there in front of me, I had faith that my dreams would carry me through the hard times and ultimately bring me to the place I wanted to get to.

Goal:
What is your biggest dream? Speak it out loud and tell yourself that it is right in front of you as long as you believe in it and believe in yourself.

September 8

One of the reasons I was so unhappy for years is that I never embraced my emotions and I was trying to stay in control.

I didn’t realize at the time that in my desperate attempt to stay in control of my life I was losing more and more of myself in the process. My addictions gave me a false sense of control. I was in too deep to understand that each day I was getting farther and farther away from myself. I was holding on to so much pain and using my addictions to numb my suffering. When I first got help I felt completely out of control because I no longer had anything to hide behind and I hated that feeling. I didn’t understand that I needed to surrender my power to something bigger. I am so thankful today that I let everything out and asked for the help that I needed.

Goal:
When someone asks how you are, don’t say fine—tell them how you really feel.

September 9

I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.

—BILL COSBY

Oftentimes when you try to please other people you only make them happy and you end up disappointed, whether you realize it or not. If you’re young and coming into your age or older and secure in who you are, don’t alter who you are for anybody.

Goal:
Live life for yourself and everything else will fall into place when the time is right.

September 10

Do something wonderful; people may imitate it.

—ALBERT SCHWEITZER

Good deeds are contagious, but for some reason, people sometimes need permission. Some people may be afraid to step out of their comfort zones and do something they would feel uncomfortable doing. It’s important to set a good example for those around you because other people will follow suit.

Goal:
Lead and inspire others with your good deeds.

September 11

If you and I are having a single thought of violence or hatred against anyone in the world at this moment, we are contributing to the wounding of the world.

—DEEPAK CHOPRA

Violence is the easy way out and it only leads to more violence. We need people in this world who are willing to find solutions through peace, through communication, honesty, and diplomacy. World peace may seem impossible, but it’s worth aiming for.

Goal:
You don’t have to be a politician to stop wars and practice peace. Make sure every word you speak and every action is coming from a place of love.

September 12

Even if you’re right, the other person still has their side of the story.

No matter how confident you are that you’re “right” in a situation, there’s a good chance that the person you are in a fight or disagreement with feels equally confident that they’re right. Often the reason fights become so complicated is because there isn’t just one right answer or solution. It’s two-sided and important to listen to all sides before anyone comes to a decision.

Goal:
Stay open-minded and be willing to hear the other person’s side. They may point something out to you that you never would have thought about that will help you grow.

September 13

If you don’t want to slip up tomorrow, speak the truth today.

—BRUCE LEE

Each one of us has told countless lies, big and small—I suppose it’s human. Even if you tell just the smallest lie, be direct with yourself right away, come clean, and apologize.

Goal:
Do not tell a single lie today no matter how small.

September 14

There’s nothing more beautiful and attractive than a person who knows who they are.

It’s so attractive when someone just knows exactly who they are and doesn’t compromise it. When a man or a woman walks into a room and has confidence, everyone can feel it. The truth is that looks fade, but inner beauty, poise, and self-love last forever—but only if you nurture them.

Goal:
Find your confidence and let it radiate out.

September 15

What other people think of me is none of my business.

—ANONYMOUS

You could spend all of your days obsessing over what other people think of you and at some point or another we have all gone down this road. Everyone has an opinion but it doesn’t really matter because other people’s opinions shouldn’t affect what you are doing with your life. Your business is your business. The moment you begin to let other people’s thoughts and values start dictating how you live your own life, it is no longer yours.

Goal:
Take constructive criticism but don’t let anyone’s opinions change you.

September 16

You are who your friends are.

I learned that the people I was surrounding myself with were direct reflections of me. I found that if they were using drugs while I was sober, a tiny part of me wanted to be friends with them because they were using. I had to learn that I couldn’t be friends with people who are still active in their disease. I’ve had to cut people out of my life because they were bringing me down. Now that I am in recovery I make it a point to surround myself with positive people who have integrity and strong values.

Goal:
What matters to you most in a friend? Write down your values and virtues and make sure that the people you surround yourself with meet those criteria.

September 17

You don’t need to look like everybody else. Love who you are.

—LEA MICHELE

No matter who we are, we all have days when we feel insecure. The most important thing is to know we all have days like this. It’s only when we accept that emotion that we’re able to feel it and move on with our day.

Goal:
When you feel insecure—look in the mirror and give yourself positive affirmations.

September 18

Nothing will work unless you do.

—MAYA ANGELOU

In order to bring the highest version of yourself to everything you do, you must be performing at your highest level. That means making sure you get enough sleep, eat well, exercise, meditate, and take care of your mind, body, and soul. Sometimes we think we have to show how hard we work by burning ourselves out, but I promise you it’s so much better to find the balance. You will feel happier, you will be more productive, and your work will be better.

Goal:
Look at your life and find balance in all aspects and areas.

September 19

Expectations are just disappointments waiting to happen.

When we spend our time waiting for things to happen we aren’t living in the now and we set ourselves up to be let down and end up judging ourselves, which only makes us feel worse. It’s important to know what you want for your life. At the same time it’s also important to be open to how and where those dreams will be fulfilled. The problematic thing about expectation is that it builds our hopes up too high. It’s wonderful to be a dreamer but it’s also important to be grounded and realistic.

Goal:
Release your expectations, stay open to the journey, and explore what is right in front of you.

September 20

And all the colors I am inside have not been invented yet.

—SHEL SILVERSTEIN

Creativity is so much more than just producing art. It also allows you to purge toxic emotions and thoughts in a positive, healthy way. For me, it’s singing and playing music. When I perform, I’m able to express my emotions without engaging in self-destructive behaviors.

Goal:
Find a hobby that allows you to release strong emotions in a healthy way.

September 21

Remember not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

—ANONYMOUS

So many times in life I didn’t get something I wanted, something I thought was perfect for me. I see now that those things I thought I needed were exactly what I didn’t need. Even if you can’t understand it now, be humble about letting those disappointments go and accept that it may be for the best.

Goal:
Reflect on initial disappointments and how they turned out to be blessings.

September 22

We are always the same age inside.

—GERTRUDE STEIN

Remember how amazing it felt to be a little kid? Running around outside and playing with your friends without a care in the world? Just because we grow up doesn’t mean we have to lose our inner child. That little girl or boy is still inside you. They don’t get to call the shots anymore, but they should still be able to play and experience pure joy.

Goal:
Remember to find enjoyment in your work and find fun in everything you do.

September 23

You are the only person in this world who knows how to live your life.

If someone tells you otherwise then they are struggling with living their own life and they’ve decided it’s easier to tell other people what to do. They are afraid of their own reality, but you can help by showing them how you live life fearlessly and with conviction.

Goal:
Embrace your life today exactly as it is, with all its flaws and perfections, its hopes and disappointments. Inspire others to live their lives more presently and more fully, by showing them the faith and confidence you have in the life YOU are living. Lead by example.

September 24

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

—ALBERT SCHWEITZER

We can’t be positive and optimistic every day of the year—it’s only natural. Sometimes our light is as bright as the sun, and sometimes it can be a little faint. It’s important to surround yourself with friends who love unconditionally. These are the people we look to when we feel that all hope is lost. True friends light up our lives and rekindle the light within us when our hope is weakened.