I can hardly believe we are already a month into 2021. Did you struggle in 2020? Has the first part of this year been a struggle? I want to openly admit that I did not have an easy year myself. I had such plans for 2020. But, it was such a struggle to 'get by' at times – seemingly for the whole world. Our struggles are not always a bad thing. It just means we have the opportunity for growth.

I reenforced one of my big life lessons this past year: you MUST keep showing up even when you do not want to, or when you are struggling. Keep writing down your goals, planning out your financials, meal prepping, taking care of yourself, and believing! Write out your daily to-do lists that align with your goals and create action behind them. 

Was health or wellness on your list of 2021 resolutions? Well, here we are a month into the year, and I know that the initial excitement of resolutions fades. Being successful and making a change does require...

I celebrate life through dancing. As I dance, I release stress and let go of worries. I can move around, jump, shout and enjoy myself. I feel set free when I step on the dance floor.

I enjoy the effects of lifting my hands, moving to the beat, and throwing my head back. I release myself from fear of what people might say and let myself have a good time.

Dancing is enjoyable because it is an avenue for me to express a different side to my personality. If I hit the dance floor, I am looking to have a good time with my best girlfriends.

As I put my hands in the air, I allow worries to roll off my body. With every step I take, I overcome fears and negativity. Dancing offers me confidence and energy like nothing else.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 KJV

1 To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to...

My efforts determine my happiness. Happiness is an achievement that is within my control. However, sometimes I need to work for it.

It takes discipline to be content. I trade fleeting pleasure for long-term satisfaction. Saving money for retirement gives me more peace of mind than splurging on fancy clothing and electronics. Going to the gym after work keeps me healthier than sitting around watching TV.

Perseverance is important. I plan for obstacles and find alternative ways to reach my goals.

I direct my efforts towards cultivating gratitude and finding happiness. I appreciate the love of my family and friends. I give thanks for my health. I practice forgiveness and let go of grudges that weigh me down. I engage in positive thinking and transform hardships into challenges.

I manage stress. Taking a walk clears my mind. Deep breathing dispels tension. Rest and meditating on God’s word restore me.

My dedication to my relationships contributes...

Life can be both simple and fulfilling. The desire to make life more complex than needed is a source of discontent. The greatest things in life are simple and meaningful at the same time. Joy and pleasure are present in my life today.

Contentment with simple things is a sign that my ego is under control. I limit my desires to things that matter to me most.

Making simple things more complicated is a habit I avoid. I use my creativity to make the complex easier. When I do, I free my mind from concern, stress, and worry. Joy and pleasure are the results. I see the link between joy and simplicity all around.

I appreciate being alive. I enjoy being free.

Children have a wonderful and simple view of the world. I strive to adopt that same simple perspective.

An act as simple as smiling can transform someone's day. I look for simple actions that make a difference in my and others' lives. There is power in the simplest moments.

I seek simplicity. I...

Even the little things matter. Everything I do makes a difference.

My actions set an example for others. My children are less likely to swear if I am careful about what I say in stressful situations. When I allow someone to go ahead of me in the grocery line, they may pass on a similar favor to someone else.

Each time I take a step forward, it brings me closer to my goals.

My choices are important. Choosing grits for breakfast instead of a donut puts me on track for eating healthy all day. Saving money each week provides me with the funds for unexpected home or car repairs.

We all face setbacks in life. My presence and support can cheer someone up when they need it most. I can reduce their burden by listening to their concerns or helping them find a solution.

Major achievements require teamwork. Even when I play a minor role, my efforts are significant. When I proofread a report or help out with simple tasks, I add to a useful presentation. It is...

Have you heard the phrase: “Going with the flow.” It signifies allowing yourself to drift from one situation to another without rhythm or purpose.

That is the absolute opposite of being goal-oriented.

But, a little fluidity can make things work effectively. As you set goals, you want to be flexible and accommodate life changes while having your eyes on your prize.

Every woman has her meaning of success in the same way that everyone has unique dreams for their life. It is not sufficient to identify what prize you are targeting. Ingenuity is key to productive goal setting. Allow yourself to dream, explore, and visualize options.

Whether personal, career, or business, success depends on achieving meaningful goals. There can be countless different ways to cross a river, but you will find only a few, maybe even just one, suited to you. “Going with the flow” involves letting yourself go through flexible thinking and always looking around for the one method...

Recognizing your success boosts self-esteem. But it also helps you realize more about yourself and your strengths. Every woman excels in at least one area (often more than one). Acknowledging even small successes can help you realize where your best skills lie and do activities that empower you to take advantage of these skills.

When you do something well, you sense accomplishment, confidence, and pride surge in you because you could achieve something that helped yourself or others. In many cases, you were the best individual for the task and were more skilled to achieve it than others. So, people look to you to complete the job and accomplish the feat so quickly and easily. 

During the times you are having difficulty or are struggling with challenges, it is essential to look back to your successes and realize that you can do great things and succeed at what you are currently doing. Now and again, life throws us a curveball. This makes us uncomfortable and causes...

I let go of the tendency to control other people's thoughts, opinions, or actions. I focus on self-improvement. There is only one person I have control over - me!

I like it if people think well of me. But I release worry about what they might think. It is a waste of my time and energy and causes me unnecessary anxiety. I do my best, and I know that is all I can do. I understand this. Moreover, I am fine with it.

I abide by the Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you). I stay true to myself. I am sure most people think well of me. I refuse to let it distract me if they do not.

I like understanding I am in control of my actions, behaviors, and thoughts. It takes the burden off my shoulders to know that the only person I need to control is me. What an uplifting revelation!

I have gratitude bringing me joy.

I have a zeal for life that enables me to enjoy every minute of every day by simply living in those moments.

I have...

New Beginnings and Final Endings

The opening of each New Year is a time for women to consider the year just past, and create goals for the future. New Years holds a special magic, with a promise of new opportunities and the possibility to change our lives for the better. Unlock your full potential and live your best life - Life Coaching can help!

There must be endings to create new beginnings. An old year ends, and a New Year begins, full of promises of change and new experiences. Mitch Albom, author of “The Five People You Meet in Heaven,” wrote: “All endings are also beginnings. We don’t know it at the time.”

It is an excellent way to consider endings in our lives. Certain endings, such as the death of a loved one, will leave you heartbroken. But if you can think of it as the entire host of good memories and ultimately go with what the new beginnings have in store, you will live a happier and more fulfilled life.

A Life Coach...

I constantly see friends of mine making New Year's resolutions for finances or business. They will post about it on social media or tell me how great they feel because they do "ABC".

I see them two months later and ask how it is going. And the conversation typically goes like this:

Me: "Are you still "ABC" every day? How's that going?"
Friend: "What?"
Me: "The new year's resolution that you made, the one you were posting about all the time?"
Friend: "Oh... Yeah. I stopped.

And that seems to be the big issue with New Year's resolutions. Something does not "click". Or rather, it does not STICK. They are not helping us to change in the long run. They are just a short-term fix with no lasting results.

The stats on New Year's resolutions, according to a University of Scranton study in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, show:

• 45% of Americans usually make New Year's Resolutions
• 75% of people keep their resolutions through the first week (but only 46% keep them past...