A Memo On Encouragement: From This Day Forward

“It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.”
~ Oriah

I saw these words a few minutes after finding out that Forbes published a story around my recent decision to ditch the corporate life. Impeccable timing. I finally do know what I ache for and you can bet your bottom dollar that I fully intend on meeting this heart’s longing.

What about you?
What do you ache for?

Please tell me you have not given up asking that question. Please tell me you haven’t given in to complacency and living the automated life of a robot, no matter how difficult your situation. Please say that you are still and always holding on to your livelihood, against any and all odds that may meet you on the road. Please, please say you have not given up on your dreams, be it your childhood dreams or dreams of long ago that still make your heart skip a beat.

It is not easy to live life on your own terms. It is not easy to make all the decisions that make your heart sing. It never has been, it never will be and you won’t want it any other ways. Trust me on that one!

But it is possible. It is so very possible. Even the seemingly impossible can fade into the background when you dare believe that anything is possible. Not easy. Not quick. But possible!

Encouragement is everywhere around you, even if it shows up in disguise, even if it shows up in the form of an angry boss, an unhappy loved one or that all-too-familiar bitter taste of failure. Be encouraged that you still have a chance at life and seize it while you still are here. Be encouraged that you still have time. Be encouraged that no matter where you may be right now, you can start over and paint a new canvas. You can add the right colors from this day forward, paint the right hues and pick just the right shades. Be encouraged that you can put behind you the paintings that did not turn out right and the roads that did not lead you where you thought they would.

It is ok to have gone down the wrong road. It is ok to have made mistakes. It is ok to have failed. It is ok to have been in bad relationships. It is ok to have suffered and to have made poor choices. It is ok to lose heart momentarily and to grieve your mistakes and take stock of your losses. It is ok so long as you feel the encouragement to continue living. It is ok so long as you do not give in to cynicism and skepticism. It is ok so long as you do not close up your heart or lose the purity of your good nature as a human being.

Be encouraged about being here and having a chance at life and decide to play your cards right from this day forward.

You do not always need to make grand changes to fill a gap or respond to a desire or even make your heart sing. Small baby steps go a long way in living life on your terms and smart decisions every day on the minuscule scale will start to show up in big ways in your life. Subtle shifts in how you think and perceive the world can open you up to a whole new world. All progress is worth celebrating and all failures will precede great success if you feel encouraged to keep going.

Be encouraged to live better and fuller from this day forward. Be encouraged at the power that your thoughts hold and make them good thoughts.

And if you should need more encouragement, here’s mine for you, my darling readers.

If you are going to ….

… meet a friend after ages, then meet them all the way.
… help someone, then help them tremendously.
… give of your time, then give generously and sincerely.
… listen to me, then put that phone away and look into my eyes.
… ask for help, then do all the right things to earn it and show gratitude for it.
… talk to a crowd, then prepare it like it’s the speech of your lifetime.
… offer something of value, then you had better make it really, really good.
… believe in something, then stop listening to the nonbelievers and naysayers.

If you are going to do something, then for the love of whatever you love, do it all the way or don’t bother at all!

And please don’t …

… hold back.
… do things half-way.
… do it and not mean it.
… say it and not follow through.
… promise only to break it.
… commit until you are certain.
… pretend.
… be a fake.
… assume people can’t tell.
… assume anything for that matter.
… just accept the status quo.
… tolerate disrespect.
… dish it out either.
… judge what you don’t understand.
… give in and compromise yourself.
… forget there is a way to solve every problem (Thanks Daddy!).
… close the door before you have really thought about your options.
… betray your own heart.

Oh yes, remember this one please: Do not betray your own heart!

Be encouraged from this day forward. Let the past stay there and move forward without the weight of whatever happened.

And are you feeling more encouraged in relentlessly pursuing it, in not giving up and not giving in and not letting the weight of life get in the way of your plans, your dreams and your aspirations?