“Tough times don’t last. Tough people do. “

~ Dr. Robert Schuller

Whatever you are facing today, know that you are stronger than you think and braver than you can imagine.

Whatever is attempting to keep you down, know that you are an overcomer, more than a conqueror, and able to withstand even this.

Whatever mountain is in your path, know that you have everything you need, within you, to keep pushing and climbing until you reach the top.

Whatever problems, setbacks, or obstacles you are enduring, know that they are temporary, a brief moment in your life; an annoyance that will only last as long as you allow it to.

You have the power. You have the strength. And you have the ability….to be victorious.

“Tough times don’t last. Tough people do. “

Everything in life is a choice.

When your world is filled with chaos, choose PEACE.

When all that’s wrong in the world dims all that’s right, choose JOY.

When life’s current events bring you down, choose HAPPINESS.

When anger and hatred rises up within you, choose LOVE.

Everything in life is a choice.

Choose WISELY.

“You were given this life because you were strong enough to live it. “

~ Unknown

Life is full of tragedy and hardship that we’d much rather do without. We run from it, we ignore it; we even attempt to “pray” it away. But we will never realize what we’re made of; our inner strength and resilience, until we face adversity.

Begin to see adversity for what it is: a tool to strengthen and develop you; to build your faith, strengthen your resolve, and develop your character.

“The road to success is always under construction. “

~ Lily Tomlin

Construction is every commuters worst nightmare. Traffic is usually reduced from multiple lanes to one or two forcing you to slow down and move with the flow of traffic instead of blazing your own path.

For many of us, we see construction zones, riddled with traffic, and we look for the nearest place to turn around, to retreat, or to avoid the hassle altogether. Others look for the fastest detour, but it may not readily lead to your destination. Few of us will push through, embrace the disruption, and enjoy the journey.

When you experience roadblocks, push through.

When you see signs warning of potential setbacks, push through.

When you hear others demanding you slow down, stop or turn back, push through.

Don’t allow others to dictate your journey.

When the road gets rough, take a deep breath, adapt, and push through.

“Your mind is a powerful thing. When you fill it with positive thoughts, your life will start to change. “

~ Unknown

Every action, inaction, habit, or hindrance ….

It all starts in the mind.

Change your thoughts. Change your life.

“If you are easily provoked, you are easily controlled. “

~ The Stoic Emperor

There are many circumstances that are beyond our control, and when these events attempt to wreak havoc in our lives, the one thing we can control is how we respond to them.

When you allow the actions of others to dictate your mood, attitude, or even the words you speak, you give them power over the quality of your life. You do not have to attend every disagreement you are invited to. It’s not worth your energy — protect it.

Pursue peace. Don’t allow others to dictate it.

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. “

~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Faith is…..

Believing when you can’t see.

Expecting the best while experiencing the worst.

Stretching yourself beyond your limitations.

Getting back up every time you fall.

Believing in yourself when others don’t.

Walking alone in your darkest hours.

Searching for rivers in the driest desert.

Walking on water when you can’t even swim.

Finding inner strength in your weakest moments.

Pressing forward when you want to give up.

Faith is…..

Trusting God who will NEVER fail you.

“The quality of your life will be in direct proportion to the level of your gratitude. “

~ Unknown

What you focus on matters.

When you give attention to every problem in your life, those challenges are magnified. If you focus on obstacles and every reason you can’t, those hurdles will reign and keep you from doing and being your best.

But when you shift your perspective and see obstacles as opportunities to grow, you are strengthened and equipped to overcome challenges, climb mountains, and push through to reach your goals.

Every day presents an opportunity for you to begin again. Start your day with a thankful heart, a spirit of gratitude; and begin to see your life change in ways beyond your imagination.

Each day is a gift.

Each day is an opportunity.

Cherish it. Be thankful for it. Conquer it. And most importantly, live it to the fullest.

“Your best teacher is your last mistake. “

~ Ralph Nader

Mistakes do not define you.

The way you respond to and recover from those mistakes, however, can reveal who you are and what you are made of.

Life’s deepest regrets can transform into life greatest lessons when we choose to learn from them.

We live. We learn. We grow.

That’s worth repeating….

We live. We learn. We grow.

Don’t allow your past mistakes to dictate your future. Make a commitment, beginning today, to change the narrative.

Keep living. Keep learning. Keep growing.

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress. “

~ Frederick Douglass

When we experience setbacks, we often think, “why me?”, because it goes against our very nature to embrace adversity with an open mind, determined to capture the life lessons that follow it.

Despite it’s beauty, LIFE can be a struggle. We are not immune to hardship and we certainly cannot control if or when “life” happens.

When we shift our perspective and choose to see adversity as a teacher, we allow ourselves the opportunity to develop and grow. We learn patience. We build character. And we strengthen our resolve.

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress. “

Trust the process and enjoy the journey.