“I’m not afraid… I was BORN for this!”
—Joan of Arc

“You’re crazy to think you’ll make it!”

“Only the best in the world can achieve it.”

“But, you already have a good-paying job.”

“That’s a stupid idea!”

“What if you fail? What will you do?”

When you commit to discovering and fulfilling your life purpose, these and similar statements you’ll hear. They’ll come from others, yourself and/or both. You’ll be tempted to give in instead of standing up for your purpose. But, you need to stick with it no matter what. There are no guarantees in life. But you will accomplish more by committing to your calling instead of traveling the easier path.

So how do you stick with it in the face of adversity? Let’s face it. It’s challenging to stay focused on your calling when stronger souls try pulling you away. It’s even more challenging when the resistance comes from yourself. Last week I gave suggestions on discovering your life purpose. This week, I’m giving suggestions on sticking with your purpose.

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“At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.

I go on the internet and what do I see? News and more news on extreme violence terrorizing innocent people. Twelve officers shot, five killed by snipers during a protest march in Dallas. Over 50 people massacred at a gay night club in Orlando. A truck driver killed over 84 bystanders during Bastille Days in Paris.

The list goes on with violent tragedies occurring in our towns, our country and throughout the world. It’s a scary place growing scarier every day as the hate and anger continues to rise.

How do we respond to the injustice of violence creating devastating amounts of pain? How can we deal with these tragedies with the highest good?

Compassion. The only true cure for violence.

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“By changing nothing, nothing changes.”
– Tony Robbins

I hate my bushes. They are wild, ugly and unruly. I’m embarrassed when someone walks by or drives into the driveway looking at my downright, no good, ugly bushes.

But, I am stuck with my ugly bushes for now. Since I’m living on my own with my son, paying for my mortgage is more of priority than expensive new bushes.

So I decided to make the best of my ugly bushes. I borrowed my mother’s trimmers and gardening gloves and got right to work. All afternoon I snipped off the frayed ends and rusted branches. Behind the ugly bushes, I cleared away the tall weeds growing into small trees. With a bent rake, I pulled out underneath the dead leaves and trimmings allowing fresh air and light to enter once again.

After hours of hard work in the simmering sun, it was time to clean up and close shop for the day. I took a few steps back and looked at my ugly bushes. And you know what? They weren’t so ugly anymore. In fact, they looked pretty darn good. Maybe not the beautifully manicured bushes I desired, but definitely a remarkable improvement. With a wave of excitement, my soul filled with joy knowing I transformed my ugly bushes into something I was proud of.

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I’m honored and delighted on Friday, July 1 my guest blog post was featured on TheChangeBlog.com. To read my article Becoming Me: Discovering My True Self After Divorce, click here.

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“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good: his love endures forever.” – Psalm 118:1

I had an assignment this week. My pastor at my church asked the congregation to read Psalm 118 and let him know what we learned. “Yes!” I thought. My inspiration for writing this week was handed to me on a silver platter. Definitely made my job easier. And, this came at a timely manner. With financial struggles and family issues on the forefront, I needed to reflect on the positive things with deeper faith God will carry me through.

After listening, reading and studying Psalm 118, I learned this is a reminder we have so much to be thankful for. God is good and loves us no matter what our circumstances are, what we have done or what we haven’t done.

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“Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high
There’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby,
Somewhere, over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.”
– Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg.

The deepening violet clouds spread like wild fire across the gray sky as the winds made a fierce entrance. You could smell it through your nose. You could feel it in the air. A storm was heading our way fast. Ready to take cover inside, I rallied up my dog Shadow to move from the backyard into the safety of our house. Within minutes, lightening and thunder made their arrival bringing the rain crashing down.

As quickly as the storm came, it went. The winds quieted down with the rain dropping to a light drizzle. Curious to see if more were to come, I looked outside my patio. And there it was… a beautiful, majestic rainbow.

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“Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek.”
– Mario Andretti

During the black belt test while sitting on the testing board, I was blessed with the opportunity to watch my martial arts instructors perform an amazing Aikido demonstration. As husband and wife, they worked as a team throwing each other around in front of the board and a small audience. It was a thrilling and educational event showcasing over 25 years experience leading up to earning their 6^th Degree Master black belt in KiMudo. From raising children up to college and beyond, working full-time on top of running and owning a martial arts school to multiple injuries and sickness, receiving this honor reflected the ultimate dedication and perseverance.

Following my instructors’ performance, the rest of the black belts and black belts-to-be began their three-hour grueling, exhausting and exhilarating black belt test. But there was no shortage of dedication here. Included in the group was our 17 year-old prodigy who rocked it by throwing, punching and kicking her way towards earning her 3^rd Degree black belt. It was 12 years in the making starting at five years old. At first, she was a shy and timid girl but worked hard never giving up fighting her way to badass status. Now grown up, she has become a fierce martial artist with a force to be reckoned with.

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“Motherhood: All love begins and ends there.”
– Robert Browning

Three mothers. All of us over the age of 40 built from a tub full of life’s experiences. We’ve all been there, done that and seen that. On road trip to a friend’s baby shower, Krazy stories of love, loss, trials and tribulations gave way to an exciting drive filled with laughter, joy, sorrow, and encouragement. But even though our stories were Krazy, within our discussions the underlying theme involved the beauty and challenges of being a mother. Not enough words could express much love and commitment we have for our children. Unanimously, we all agreed being a mother is God’s greatest gift of all.

Motherhood is an emotional roller coaster ride with highs and lows, twists and turns while suddenly going upside down. Sometimes the ride is smooth and slow. Other times it’s fast jerking you around into unexpected directions. But whichever the way the roller coaster goes, it fills you with fear, excitement, exhilaration, wonder, love and joy. Once you get off the roller coaster, you desperately want to get back on crying, “Again, again!”

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“Let go of the battle. Breathe quietly and let it be. Let your body relax and your heart soften. Open to whatever you experience without fighting.” 
― Jack Kornfield

Close your eyes. Sit still relaxing your body. Noticing your breath, take a deep inhale and exhale. Let it out. Let it all out. Take another deep breath. Relax and be at peace. Drop off everything letting go of body and mind. Simply just be, right here and right now in this miraculous moment in time.

Allow your thoughts to pass away like clouds in the limitless sky or waves rising and falling in the deep sea. No need to control, to change or to improve, just observe. Keep breathing with nothing more to say, to do, to achieve, to strategize or to believe. Simply just be.

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