"Explore, Dream, Discover"

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Take time to read each line and truly understand what is being said. You do not want to review your past at any age and wonder why you didn’t make the effort to pursue a dream. You have to leave the boundaries of your comfort zone to make it happen. You have to understand and appreciate that life does not evolve as planned. It is when you let yourself dream and set the intentions to pursue your dreams that open the doors of discovering more than you originally planned. Most importantly, enjoy the ride. Learn to take your sights off the intended point of destination and focus on the experiences that emerge as you ride this wave of life.

With the advancement of technology, the mental mindset to have immediate results has increased the overall level of stress in society. The younger generation has become so accustomed to instant gratification through texting, instant messaging, and other technological advancements, that they do not truly understand the gift of enjoying time. Even baby boomers have joined the ranks of the mindset that they couldn’t live without their cell phone. That is a self-defeating mentality.

Don’t get me wrong, technology has a lot to offer; however, like all things, when taken to an extreme negative results will emerge. People are getting so consumed with what they need to do next on the check list or being accessible 24/7 that they are losing sight of who they truly are or can become. Each of us is born with gifts, experiences to learn from and love to feel and share with each other. We are all divinely interconnected and when you take the time to listen to someone or help someone in need, you will slowly realize we have more in common than we do differences.

Always remind yourself that you are on a journey of creating the person you wish to be. Nothing great was created overnight and ingrained habits can be changed. Nothing is set in stone. You may think that you cannot change a certain habit or thought pattern due to your personal circumstances; however, that is a choice. Things do change; however, the development of a stubborn habit can emerge in multiple ways. For example, if you start smoking, you may smoke only a few cigarettes day or just with coffee. As time goes on, the chance of smoking a few more a day happens without the excuse of coffee. As your body adjusts to the intake of nicotine, the desire increases and the number of cigarettes smoked increases. A lot of smokers can remember when they started and know that they were not a pack a day smoker from the start. It just emerged over time as the habit ingrained itself in the body and mind. This habit can be changed; however, it takes patience, persistence, and gratitude. The power of being grateful for what you have, can do or be is a strong positive energy to learn how to use.

Change is good. As you grow and change, more doors open. What started as an original intention may change to another. Don’t be set in original intentions of the growth process. The process allows you to see new intentions that you would not have seen initially due to not having the awareness of their possibility.

Key points to remember as you embark on this journey:

1. You’re the one who chooses if and what is to be learned or changed.

2. Do not judge yourself. We are all given challenges to handle. We all have perceived weaknesses. Increased self-awareness ignites the ability to change what you desire.

3. True change takes time. Some goals may be achieved fairly quickly; however, you will find that as you continue your focus, more changes emerge. There is no rush. After all, it is the journey that ultimately matters.

4. Do not let yourself feel overwhelmed by your journey. All is done in baby steps. You will learn to be present and not worry about the past or future. It is a waste of time.

5. Take responsibility for yourself only. If you blame others or circumstances for the way you are, then stop it. Once you truly take full responsibility for the physical body and mind that your spirit inhabits, you will be able to manifest the changes or dreams you desire.

6. You are never too old to change or pursue a dream. The key is to stop talking about it and start NOW.

May you enjoy the journey of living your life to the fullest!