Wednesday Wisdom - Tomorrow is a Brand New Day

Monday Motivation - When I Stand Before God at the End of My Life

This is truly one of my all-time favorite quotes.  It speaks directly to my soul...

We are always hearing the message that, to be "successful," we need to choose just one thing to focus on.

 For years, I struggled with this, because I have always had so many interests, and loved doing so many different things.  Trying to narrow focus and deny some of my talents was taking a huge, painful toll on my soul - as if I were starving parts of it in order to force-feed other parts more.

I finally decided that, for me, it's ok to not pour everything into one pursuit or just one talent.  Maybe success doesn't have to look the same for everyone.

We are all given different, unique gifts, and we are given them for a reason.  

Instead of fighting it, we should strive to use every bit of talent we have been given.  When we nurture our whole soul, only then are we able to be the beautiful creation we were meant to be.

Wednesday Wisdom - Beauty is Everywhere

A very important mid-week reminder...

Monday Motivation - Bring Your Sunshine Today!

...and create your own sunny, happy day!!!

You have a beautiful, radiant inner light that is just waiting to burst forth and light up your day.  So set it free, and make today brilliant!

Copyright J. Penner 2015.  All Rights Reserved.

Everyday Beauty

After a late night in the office/studio, I needed a visual pick-me-up!  So, I took a look at some of the plant and flower pictures I had taken while on a walk with my favorite boys this morning.  I love that I don't even have to leave my street to see gorgeous bursts of color and inspiring spots of nature.  This was one of my favorites from today - I hope you enjoy it, too!

Red Bird of Paradise

Wednesday Wisdom - Keep Away from People Who Try to Belittle Your Ambitions

Today's words of wisdom may or may not have come from Mark Twain.  It might be safer to say they were inspired by him.  In any case, they are very powerful words, and a great reminder that we each must be our own shining lights, instead of relying on the affirmation of others to illuminate our strengths and talents!  Check out this quote for another take on this topic...

Everyday Beauty

Sometimes, all we need is a glimpse of nature to brighten our day.   I took this picture on a walk in my neighborhood on a particularly frustrating day... but as I looked through the zoomed-in view of my camera, and saw all of the beauty surrounding me, it helped put things in perspective.  We can look around us and think we see.  But, if we don't believe we have seen anything worthwhile, it's time to look again.  Change perspective.  Focus attention.  We just might be amazed.


~Jaelyn

Green is one of my favorite colors.  It reminds me of the outdoors and the calming influence of mother nature.  For me, the vibrant green in this picture is simultaneously soothing and stimulating.  I also love this picture because of the pop of pink and orange of the Lantana flowers that seems to radiate happiness!  I hope you enjoy it, too! 

Wednesday Wisdom: Never Allow a Person to Tell You No Who Doesn't Have the Power to Say Yes

 

On one hand, this quote reminds me a lot of dealing with a particularly frustrating customer service department.  The front-line folks generally have very little power to solve problems, they just listen to your complaint, apologize, and then do nothing.  Don't ever take that as your answer!  Speak to as many people as it takes until you have reached someone who can actually help. 

On the other hand, and in a more big-picture sense, this quote can really make you think about who actually has power over your dreams and goals. 

 

Often, there are people around us that make our dreams seem like impossibilities.  

 

Have you ever allowed another person's negativity to affect your motivation?  Did they tell you that your dream was too big, that your goal was too hard to reach?  Did they go out of their way to remind you of all of the insurmountable (to them) obstacles you would face?  Here's the thing - no matter who that person was - parent, boss, spouse, friend - they don't have the power to make that dream come true for you.  So, don't let them tell you no.  

The one person in the world that has ultimate control over your dreams is... you guessed it, YOU.  Remind yourself of that daily, and keep a silent, reassuring YES always in your heart.