Tag Archives: quotes

Monday Motivation: Keep Moving Forward

 

On this Martin Luther King Day, I am reminded that every small step forward is vital. It’s easy to think that what you do in one moment is not significant; but moments become days, days become weeks, weeks become years, and years quickly become a lifetime. Every decision we make is one that can propel us toward a life full of positive productivity or we can easily waste it. Sometimes it is easy to go through the motions of going to our jobs, procrastinating as much as possible and then mentally checking out as soon as we clock out.

The leaders who inspire us, like Martin Luther King, Jr., are those who find ways to make a difference. They don’t take the easy way out. They take the hard, rocky path, because they know they are moving in the right direction. They go against social norms, leaving behind a legacy of both love and success.

So, whether you’re attempting to change the morals and ideals of a nation, or you are simply trying to become a successful entrepreneur; remember that every step counts. And if you can’t take a step, then crawl. The world needs your talents and your courage. Don’t give up, because you have chosen a more difficult path. Make every moment meaningful and then you will live a life full of purpose.

 

Monday Motivation: You’re Not Here to Make a Living.

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“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.” – Woodrow Wilson

 

You’re not here to make a living. You’re here to make a life.

 

Some days, or even weeks, I feel like all I do is work and then rest and regroup for work again. It can seem like a never-ending cycle. Am I just living to work? It’s easy for us to get in a routine of counting down the days of the week until the weekend (or until we’re off from work), but we should be appreciating every moment of our life. Whether we realize it or not, we make an impact at our workplace whenever we interact with coworkers, customers, or clients. What kind of impact are we leaving? Personally, I wouldn’t want to be remembered as the complainer or the person with a grimace on my face every day.

I want to attempt to live my life to the fullest wherever I am and whatever I’m doing. Instead of spending my days off checking social media or watching shows, I should be reading or writing to help me become a better writer. I shouldn’t be dreading or worrying about what will happen the next day. To truly live means to be fully present right where you are. It also means to be who you were created to be in order to have a positive influence on others. Life is more than just getting through the work day. To live means to inspire, to encourage, and to make the world better than it was before.

Find Peace Within

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“If you cannot find peace within yourself, you will never find it anywhere else”- Marvin Gaye

 

It’s hard to find peace today.  Watch any news program and you’ll be reminded of the wars and violence that are so prevalent around the world, in each of our countries, our cities, and even in some of our own neighborhoods.  Greed, hatred, selfishness, and a love of power has seeped in and stolen others’ innocence, faith in humanity, and an outward peace that we wish was reigning in humanity today.  We’ve learned that we can’t find peace in the world and that has left some of us feeling despondent.

It’s difficult to find peace in our daily lives as well.  Money troubles, school or job stress, our personal hang-ups or struggles, family or relationship problems, and even social media drama.  The list seems endless as we deal with the messy details in our lives.  These dilemmas can leave us full of anxiety, worry, and fear.  Sometimes we can turn to friends and family, but they will eventually fail us at some point, because they are only human also.

If we can’t find true peace in the world or in other people, where can we find it?  We have to look inside ourselves.  But can we create peace on our own?  No, we have to look to God.

“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:5-7

This verse always challenges me.  As a person who gets social anxiety in a crowded room or when I’m meeting new people, it’s hard to overcome my feelings and be at peace.  I also worry about the distant future and even what might happen to me in a coming week.  I forget that God is in control of everything and that He has already taken care of my future.  I focus on my circumstances instead of talking to Him about them.

If we would learn to let go and change our mindset about our lives, we might just find the serenity we desire.  Instead of opening our souls to dread and worry, we should greet each day with eager optimism and unbridled hope.  We can’t depend on the world or other people to create a peaceful atmosphere around us, but we can learn to find inner peace through prayer and surrender.  We have to give up trying to orchestrate our lives and remember that He is in control already.