“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.”–Maya Angelou

If you are not careful fear will rent space in your mind and keep you stuck with the ‘devil you know’. Any hope of being kinder, generous, fun loving—insert your own virtue here—will never materialize without courage. You can demonstrate courage today by first being honest with yourself, you are afraid and that’s ok. Today is a new day and you can chose, today, to be courageous!

“I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.”–Maya Angelou

Sometimes I play this vicious game with myself, ‘man if I knew then what I now I would’ve done this or that differently.’ But the truth is even if I had all the information in the world I still may have made some of the same choices. Today I find comfort in knowing that I did the best I could with what I knew at the time. With each day I have an opportunity to learn and do better. God has given me a life filled with opportunity. I have an abundance of gifts and talents. Each new day is filled with chances to make different and better choices

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”– Leo Tolstoy

We often sit around and discuss how much better the world would be if only people would be more considerate, helpful, honest etc. There is room for you to make the world a better place. There are things within YOU that the world needs to know, feel, and understand, but you will have to decide to make some moves.

Will you join me in deciding to grip change, rock the boat, tip the apple cart, and break the mold? Invest the time today to pick up that book, research that idea, put pen to paper, start your business,  your dream matters. The time is now let’s get to work!

‎”In every crisis there is a message. Crises are nature’s way of forcing change — breaking down old structures, shaking loose negative habits so that something new and better can take their place.” — Susan L. Taylor

This quote reminds me of a  running joke that I toss around with my friends whenever crisis hits. I ask the question aloud “Who’s Jonah me or you?” I’m alluding to the story in the bible about Jonah running from God’s direction and instruction. His avoidance resulted in drama for himself and people around him.  Crisis doesn’t mean you have to fall apart, but rather it is a chance to let go of what is not working and begin moving toward something better. Are you in the midst of a shaking? What are some of the old habits being rattled? How about those ideas about yourself and what you are capable of accomplishing?

“We will be ourselves and free, or die in the attempt. Harriet Tubman was not our great-grandmother for nothing.” – Alice Walker

I am one of those people who looks to the past to gain strength and inspiration. I love slave narratives and historical fiction because I’m able to see the power and strength in all my ancestors endured. I’m inspired by their ability to find hope in the midst of adversity. Their commitment to pursuing freedom is more than inspiring it is empowering! Armed with this knowledge, how dare I think for one moment to play it safe or to live small?

Are you playing it safe? I’m sure if you look within your family’s history you too will be amazed to know that you are alive and well. So why not make the most of the life you have today. What is one thing you can do today to tap into the sheer determination and grit within you?

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”–Alice Walker

You have more power than you know it is your life and you get to make choices. What are you choosing to do or accept today?

Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”–Mother Teresa

There is no use in crying over spilled milk and the sooner we realize that we cannot undo the past the better off we will be. We can plan for the future and that is a wise and noble action.  The riskier thing would be to take action today to move towards change and no longer allow fear to drive us.

We all have things churning with in us things we need to get done. People we need to reconcile with, folks we need to let go, classes we need to take, budgets we need to implement. Today is as good a day as any to begin.

Which quotes resonated with you? Have you considered creating a vision board with quotes? Let me know what you think and what steps you might take in the comments.