Come Live in My Heart

From InspiredMess

 
While in a meeting, my boss posed the question, what's most important to you and why?  He said it was a hard question and that the answer shouldn't come right away - it was one of those prompts that require brewing (or is it stewing?).

I found this to be a ridiculously easy question and my answer came soon after I started thinking about it.

Love is what is most important, after all.  And don't fall into the trap of thinking that "love" means what happens between two adult people who want to spend their whole lives together.   That's only part of it.  Think of how each of those balloons makes up your heart - there are so many opportunities to show your true love and grow your heart.

Appreciate yourself for all of the things that you as a person can accomplish, can feel and can brave.  Loving yourself and every part of what makes you a unique individual is the foundation for other people loving you.

Taking pleasure in being pushed and challenged means that you will appreciate the outcome when you can raise your hands over your head and say, "I totally and completely conquered that and I loved every second of it."

Revel in simple, quiet moments when the world is spinning right on its axis.  You will love how perfect your life is at that exact second.  And don't ever be ashamed of feeling good about how well your life is progressing. 

Learn how to love each person that you encounter.  You don't have to like each and every part of them, but understand their good qualities.  Everyone has a talent or a gift, you just have to seek it out.  

Give of yourself, for in that sacrifice, you are loving. Period.

Don't be afraid to find a soul mate.  Don't be afraid to open your heart.  Don't be afraid that love will hurt.  Because it will.  But it will also be amazing.  So very amazing...

It's ok to be in love with things.  Like you iPad.  Or your cute shoes.  Or your favorite book.  Just don't show them more lovin' than special people in your life.

Speaking of those peeps - if they are in your life, they deserve all of the love that springs from your heart.  Remind them, tell them, shout at them; whatever it takes, make sure they know how much they mean to you.

Just remember, without love, babies wouldn't be born.  Without love, there wouldn't be BFFs.  Without love, we wouldn't have people dedicating their lives to great causes.  It's a really simple thing to do, once you boil down all of the unnecessary clutter of the fake stuff. 

“Come live in my heart, and pay no rent.”
--Samuel Lover           

Go Pre!

Quotes can be cliche.  They get overused and in turn, under-appreciated for the true tidbits of awesomeness that they really are.

I'm not the kind of person who spouts lines from movies ad nauseum.  Nor do I use lengthy quotes from important people to make me sound high and mighty.  But, there are a few quotes that I've taped to my computer or memorized to give me a little push when I need motivation.

The first is a no-brainer for a runner:

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift."
- Steve Prefontaine

This is a slice of magic.  I truly believe in what this quote says and while it can often be in reference to running, it has instead become my life mantra.  We each have at least one gift - how can we let it go to waste?


"A winner's strongest muscle is her heart."
- Cassie Campbell, Olympic Gold medalist, women's hockey

Each coach that anyone will ever have will tell you that your heart & spirit fuel teams to wins.  I bet Coach Taylor probably told his Panthers that as long as you put your heart into the game, everything else will fall into place.  Sometimes these sentiments fall flat - teams lose, no matter how much "heart" they showed.  But sometimes they make athletes (and people in general) realize that their motivation and drive will eventually, if not right away, bring them victory.



"Great effort springs naturally from great attitude."
- Woody Hayes, college football coach

I always try to have a positive attitude.  I've found that it makes everything else much easier: connecting with people, enjoying life, tackling projects.  When I have a good attitude, it is extremely hard to get me down and in turn, I want to do things.  I want to help where I can and affect change.  Everything starts from doing your best at keeping smile on your face.


"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think."
- Christopher Robin to Pooh

That Christopher Robin kid was brilliant beyond his young years.  We as human beings are burdened with doubt, something that other mammals do not have to deal with.  Doubt is an ugly, ugly thing and causes people to do crazy things, often giving up on themselves and others.  But as Christopher Robin says, you are better than doubt.  Do not ever sell yourself short.