Sunday Sunshine: Stand Up, Stand Out

It’s sometimes awkward to be who we are—who we really are.

We might not want others to see our real selves for fear that they won’t like what they see. We might lack confidence in who we are and what we have to offer. We might want to just blend in with the crowd.

Embrace who you are—each unique aspect of you! You are here for a purpose! Stand up, stand out and stand alone, if necessary.

Know that it’s okay to stand out in the crowd.  It’s more than okay. It’s something to celebrate!

Release your fears and limitations. Live your values and use your voice for the good and true.

Be confident. Be glad that you are who you are. Be your beautiful, unique self!

Today, this week: Be you, the real you. Stand up. Stand out.

Sunday Sunshine: Stay Grounded

Just when you get used to something, it seems to change! Small things. Big things. It's easy to slip and slide as the sands of change shift underfoot.

In the whirling, twirling experience of change, stay grounded.

Be resilient in a changing world by always living your values, always listening to your heart, and always looking for the good.

Change loses its fear-inducing sting when you hang tight to your values, when you listen to the wisdom you hold within, and when you keep an open mind and look for the good things that can come out of change.

You can't stop change. It's going to happen, but you can control your response.

Today, this week: Roll with the waves of change by staying grounded to what's truly important to you.

Sunday Sunshine: Speak Your Truth

How many times have you said yes when you wanted to say no? There are times when it's hard to find your true voice, the voice that represents your deepest-held values. Perhaps you don't want to be seen as contrary or difficult or, heaven forbid, to stand alone in your opinion.

Yes, there's risk when you say what you believe. But there is also risk if you keep those thoughts to yourself.

Be strong. Be brave. Be true to yourself and your values. Speak your truth. 

Do so respectfully. 

Do so quietly. 

Live your values through your carefully considered words and respectful actions.

The words you have to say are important. Give voice to them.

Today, this week: Be true to you. Have the courage to speak your truth.

Fresh Thoughts for Your Monday: Believe in Yourself

You were made to be uniquely you. 

Don’t be afraid to stand out and be yourself, to have your own voice and to follow your deepest values.

You are strong. You are bright. You are of value for who you are and for the gifts that you uniquely bring to your every encounter.

This day, this week: Believe in yourself!

You are right where you're supposed to be! So, relax and fully enjoy the moment!

Fresh Thoughts for Your Monday: Be a Dreamer

If you were to say in a sentence what you want for your life, what would it be? Name those desires, those aspirations, those values, those dreams.

Perhaps this is the year you want to learn how to play the piano or go scuba diving or run a marathon or adopt a pet or write poetry. 

What first steps might you take in order to make your dreams come true?

Today, this week: Set your sights on your dreams. The horizon looks bright!

Fresh Thoughts for Your Monday: Be Authentic.

Be authentic. Be the real you. You’ll be content and the world will be blessed with your uniqueness.

It’s easy to get caught up in the expectations and trappings of life and, consequently, lose sight of who we really are and what we really value and want in life. 

Always be true to yourself, even when forces may try to sway you otherwise. When you are your real self, you don’t have to worry about adopting other ways of being. You will always honor the sacredness of you.