Who's standing in your way?

Hello and Happy New Year!

I hope you're excited as I am for 2012! This is going to be a fantastic year full of fun, adventure, success and as always, new learning experiences.

I came across this article on one of my favorite websites, www.sparkpeople.com. I thought the message was a perfect way to start the new year and I wanted to share it with you.

Imagine someone regularly tying small weights around your ankles as you try to climb a mountain. Doesn't sound fair, does it? But that's exactly what you can do to yourself, a little bit at a time, if you don't watch out. When you think of who and what is standing in the way of your dreams, it's easy to forget your own responsibility. Even the best of us can be guilty of unknowingly hurting our own progress. Procrastination, lateness, being disorganized, pessimism, not being honest with yourself, severe self-criticism, downplaying achievements, focusing only on weaknesses while ignoring strengths, keeping goals a secret, demanding perfection, giving up after a small setback--these are all ways you can make it tough to be (and do) your best. Smart systems, the right attitude, and a promise to keep going no matter what will make a world of difference.

Stay active and anything is possible!

You can make a difference!

I came across the article today on Sparkpeople.com. It hit home because I've been contemplating organizing a fund raising event to benefit children. Could this be a sign for me to move ahead and get this idea off the ground?

Greatness happens when people get together and pool their strengths for each other's benefit. It happens when lessons are passed down and taken even further. Who do you know in your life that you could learn from? Do you have a hero? How can you build on the opportunities that are given to you? How will you pass your knowledge down to the coming generation? Learn your strengths and the strengths of the people around you. Find out how you can help each other achieve what you never could alone. Right now, you can be the one "seeing farther." Be the "giant with shoulders" for someone else. Either way, you'll be part of something big.

Stay active and anything is possible!