10 Quotes to Get You Through Tough Times

10 Quotes to Get You Through Tough Times

“Don’t you ever have a bad day?” It’s a question I receive a lot from readers of this blog, audience members at my speaking events, and those who know me well. The answer is, “Of course I do.” That answer always leaves people in disbelief of my jovial, upbeat, and optimistic personality. The truth is I’m not that happy. I’m just a regular ole’ joe like everyone else out there. I have my bad days – those days, when nothing is going my way and I just don’t want to get out of bed happen to me all the time. The difference between myself and others is that I do everything I can to surround myself by things that will get me out of that funk. And that just happens to be thoughtful, inspiring and motivational quotes. Why? Because there’s one for every occasion. Got bad news and feeling down? There’s a quote for that. Upset about the way your future is looking? There’s a quote for that. Lost the will to go on? There’s an quote for that. You name it and I’m pretty sure there’s a quote out there to help remedy it.

To save you from hours of scouring Pinterest for the right quote that fits your mood, I’ve taken it upon myself to list ten quotes to help you get through tough times. (Cause lord knows, there are plenty of them!) I can’t take all the credit though. I was actually inspired to do this post after reading a similar one by Oprah. Regardless, feel free to revisit this post each time you need a few choice words for a slight pick me up. I have a good feeling it will surely help you through whatever you are dealing with.

For those days you feel inadequate: 

You are enough. You have enough. You do enough.

Since you are only human, I am sure there are those days when you feel like you just fall short. You feel as though nothing you do is every good enough and that you will never amount to enough. Remember, that all you have to offer holds more value than you realize. 

For when you’re at a crossroads:

You don’t need to have it all figured out to move forward.

So you are lost. You have too many decisions to make and no idea how to go about it. Simply put you are confused and feel like an empty vessel. You may never have all the answers. Luckily, you don’t need to have all the answers to go on with your life. 

For those who are sick of the naysayers:

At first they’ll ask you why you are doing it. Then they’ll ask you how you did it.

Let the people call you stupid and crazy. Unfortunately, it’s part of the territory when you go against the crowd and do something out of your ordinary. Ignore them. When it all works out, they will be the same ones amazed and suddenly willing to copy your every move. 

For when you think you can’t take anymore:

Your body can go on forever. It’s your mind that’s telling you to stop.

I get it. You’re tired. You want to give up. You’r ready to throw in the towel. Just don’t do it yet. You are stronger than you know. 

For when things don’t go as planned:

“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that’s waiting for us.”

It worked out perfectly in your mind but suddenly it all started to fall apart. Now you have no idea what to do. Have no fear. Sometimes, you just have to accept that what’s in store for you is much better than anything you could have ever planned or imagined. 

For when you wonder, “Why me?”:

You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it.

When bad things keep happening one after another you often start wondering, “Why me?” What did you deserve to be dealt such a terrible hand? Well, it’s about time you start asking, “Why not me?” Have faith that you are well equipped to handle it. 

For when you feel like a loser:

You can’t fail if you don’t quit.

You’ve gotten rejection after rejection. Don’t sweat. Just remember they could have ignored you. Every “no” is the beginning of a new relationship. Don’t give up and be relentless. You’re closer than you think. 

For when you’re feeling impatient:

Never give up on a dream because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.

Sure it will take a while. And yes, you’ve got things to do, people to see, and bills to pay. Yes, you’ve go engagements to handle now and dreams take a while to accomplish. The time will fly by. Keep going after it. 

For for when you’re feeling “unpretty”: 

You are beautiful. Don’t change a thing.

You may have a blemish here or there, but who doesn’t?  The mirror doesn’t lie. You have the ability to light up a room. 

For when you are disappointed about falling short of your goal:

You can only be better than you were yesterday.

Regardless of how your story unfolds you are always capable of becoming a better person. You can and you will. Stop putting so much pressure on yourself.

What helps keep you going? Do they help you remain positive?

TERRIfic Quip: Since the blog is full of terrific quip’s I figured I’d share my terrific deal! Free Alert: My new ebook, 100 Things You Should Never Say – Bridal Edition will be free tomorrow 1/16/13. Mark your calendars!

6 New Year’s Resolutions for a Happy Life

If you’re like me your Facebook timeline is probably riddled with posts of people bashing those who are making New Year’s resolutions. They usually say something like this:

“People swear their life is going to make a turn when the clock strikes 12. In reality nothing changes. Who are they trying to fool?”

“I can’t stand all the “New Year, New Me” statuses. Why not change now.”

“Everyone is sitting there making resolutions like they’re not going to give up on them by February.”

“Why wait for January 1st to change? If you are really serious about it, you’d change now.”

While I agree that you should never wait on the perfect moment to change because the “perfect” moment doesn’t exist until YOU make it perfect, I disagree with the sentiment of knocking people who are trying nonetheless to improve their lives. Regardless of the day they chose, it says a lot when someone recognizes there is room for improvement.

Image courtesy of “FrameAngel”

All that aside, let’s not sugar coat the fact your attempts of saving more money, losing weight, and getting out of doubt have all come up short. It’s not because you failed to plan or organize. And it’s not because you are destined to be a failure. It’s because all your resolutions missed the bigger picture. All of the resolutions you’ve created in the past are all created in the hopes of one major thing: to live a happier, better quality of life.

So instead of creating all those roundabout resolutions that completely miss the point, I’ve taken the liberty of penning several potential resolutions that hit the nail on the head and will get you straight to the point of living that happy life you’ve been longing for.

1. Vow to do one thing that scares you everyday.

I know pledging to scare yourself on a daily basis is an odd route to take when trying to live a happy life. However, it’s one that I find very important. It’s completely normal, but we have a habit of settling. We settle when it comes to lifestyle, jobs, goals etc. The problem is, when we settle, we don’t grow and end up wondering “what if.” That is definitely not the best way to live a happier life. So I challenge you to scare yourself a little everyday. It could be eating a new food, applying for a specific job, or simply reaching out to a friend you’ve lost touch with. Whatever it is, allow yourself to be scared and then conquer it. Each day you conquer a new fear, the more you will restore faith in your ability and continue to grow. Besides, you never know what opportunities will be revealed as you continue on your own little ” 2013 fright fest.” Six Flags has nothing on you!

2. Vow to live simply

Eliminate the drama, the shiny and the flashy and what’s left is all that you need. When you consistently strive for the big and extravagant, you forget to be thankful of what you already have. Like my mother always said, “Everything is simple. We make it difficult.” It’s about time we get back to that so we can live blissfully. Once you vow to live simply, you’ll find your budget will finally take order, your health will improve and your heart will be lifted.

3. Vow to give a lot

The statistics have been saying it for years. The more you give, the happier you are. Be selfless, donate your time, and reach out to someone for no reason at all. Your heart and spirit will sing.

4. Vow to change your thoughts

Stop the worrying, the doubt, and the self-hate. Have faith in yourself and your ability to conquer all challenges. Remember, worrying does not empty tomorrow of it’s weaknesses. It empties today of it’s strengths. Once you change the quality of your thoughts, you change the quality of your life for the year to come.

5. Vow to trust yourself

It’s something I have to remind myself everyday. Stop second guessing yourself. You know more than you think you do. If your instincts are sending you a signal, just go with it. You don’t need to justify it. That’s the thing about intuition. It doesn’t need to have a reason to make sense.

6. Vow to write down every good thing that happens to you in the new year and revisit as needed.

Having an overall good year doesn’t stop you from experiencing a few hardships and struggles on the way to pure bliss. On those days, where happiness is at it’s peak make not of it and place it in a jar for safe keeping. Then, when you start feeling down again revisit that jar of “2013 goodness” to lift spirits and get happy once again.

What are your 2013 resolutions? How do you plan to be happy in 2013?

TERRIfic Quip: You don’t need to have it all figured it out to move forward.

The Best Christmas Gift of All: Encouragement

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

So there’s six more days till Christmas and you’re a little panicked. I would be too if I still couldn’t find the perfect gift for that hard-to-shop for family member. Plus there’s no guarantee I would receive online orders in time for Christmas. At this point, most people would tell you to channel your creativity while you make shallow and pathetic attempts to make something. But for those of you who are really desperate and know you’re as coordinated and creative as your children’s math homework, I’m going to tell you the one gift that is even more meaningful than any DIY project or store bought gift.

One word. Encouragement.

You’re probably scratching your head right now. But the truth is, so few know how to be truly encouraging. When encouragement is offered, it always seems to come with some kind of stipulation.

“You want to be a writer. That’s great. You should do it. I just hope you’re not a starving artist.”

“Oh, you’re starting a business? Congrats! Be prepared for some loss. You should do it though.”

“Training to be a chef is so hard. You can do it as long as you take it seriously.”

“Good luck with paying all your student loans this year. You’re gonna need it. It’s practically impossible.”

While these phrases may be said with good intentions, (or so we hope) they carry doubt and the dreaded “but” with them. And even when attached to encouraging words, that “but” can really put a damper on the receivers spirit. I know because I’ve been there before. I can’t tell you how many times people have said to me, “Good for you. But you can’t make a living from that that.” or “Wow I can’t believe you’re writing an ebook! I think you should do it. They are much harder to sell than traditional books though.”

Of course, hearing these things definitely bothered me for a bit. Luckily, writing was something I knew I always wanted to do whether or not I had anyone’s approval. However, I did have the approval and encouragement of my parents. I remember the day, I told my mom that I wanted to quit my job to be a writer. I was still living in my parents’ home, struggling financially, and had a bunch of student loans to pay for. Needless to say, I was a bit nervous telling them my plans. Much to my surprise, I got words of encouragement rather than words of concern and non-support. The words my mom uttered, meant the world to me.

“Go for it. I always said you can create your own opportunities.” 

There wasn’t a hint of doubt or a shadow of disbelief – only genuine encouragement as I took on the biggest risk and scariest chapter of my life. She could have said to me that writers never make it. Or she could have also reminded me that I must still find a way to pay back my loans. But she didn’t. Somehow, she knew I was well aware of what I needed to take care of. But she knew that I needed her support more. Little does she know  that small phrase is one of the best gifts I’ve ever gotten. I take her words with me every time I need to conquer a new challenge or each time I’m faced with a business related fear. And my father has been just as supportive since I’ve started this journey.

No, their encouragement wasn’t a Christmas gift per se. But it was a much needed gift at the time. I recommend it, because it is the one gift that can change a person’s world forever. Encouraging words have the power to last a lifetime if you do it right. They won’t die if the battery runs out of life, and it won’t break if you drop it. Deliver it with love and it will stay in the receiver’s heart forever.

So how do you do it? Eliminate the doubt, slash the “what if’s” and sprinkle it with loads of love, sincerity, and pure belief. Do all that and  you’ve got the making of a Christmas gift that would go down in history.  Best of all, it’s priceless!

What was the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received? Have you ever been on the receiving end of true words of encouragement?

TERRIfic Quip: Don’t wait for it. Create your own opportunities.

Life isn’t Fair… So Why isn’t it?

You don’t have to be a wise old sage to know that life isn’t fair. Unfortunately, it probably never will be. How many times have you

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

been passed up for that academic scholarship you know you deserve when the dean’s daughter always gets it? Or how often can you recall always having to clean the dishes after your youngest sibling made the mess. Yet he got to watch cartoons all day while you were slaving away. Or what about last week when the police officer clearly racially profiled you and pulled you over because you just so happened to to match the description of the person who stole a car last week? The list goes on and on.

Being the optimistic person that I am, I would love to say that these “injustices” will end someday and life will soon be fair for all. But I have to face the fact that it probably won’t. I’ve sat there and pondered why we all can’t have the lives we’ve hoped for. I’ve pondered the reasons why the person who follows all the rules and works hard just can’t catch a break. And I’ve tried to make sense of the reasons why all my prayers don’t come true. Then it dawned on me. Maybe life isn’t fair because it’s for the best. Perhaps, it’s because we’re destined for something better.

Remember that post where I mentioned I didn’t get that raise I knew I deserved and how unfair the entire situation was? Well, I didn’t realize it then but not getting that raise was the best thing that ever happened to me. Of course, my heart was broken after all the hard work, preparations and prayers I put into work performance so I can earn the raise. I was driving around a beat up 97 Ford Escort, and had student loan bills I couldn’t afford just piling up. If there was ever a moment I felt life wasn’t fair that was it. But it took that realization of an unfair moment for me to do something about the situation.

I was struggling financially and mentally with little hope for growth and improvement for a position I only liked. I thought, if I was going to struggle I might as well be struggling for something I loved. And that’s when I took the biggest risk of my life by quitting my job and embarking on my journey to freelance writing bliss. It was time for me to take control of my own salary, my own mental health, and my professional growth. Taking that risk was one of the best things I have ever done and I owe it all to an unfair life and lack of a raise. I’ve learned that life isn’t supposed to be fair. Sometimes we need those unfair moments to motivate us. Sometimes we need those unfair moments to realize that we are settling or that we are destined for something better. Or sometimes those unfair moments are there to teach us that we should be happy with what we already have. Whatever the reason, I am happy life isn’t always fair and that I don’t get everything I ask for.

Aren’t you happy you don’t always get what you want? Is there an unfair moment that ended up being rather helpful? 

TERRIfic Quip: Everything is cracked. That’s how the light gets in.

How a Post-It Note Changed My Life Forever

I love Post-It notes. I also love inspirational sayings and motivational quotes. Together this makes for an unhealthy obsession.  Luckily, it’s an obsession that seemed to turn my life around.

You see, I’m the type that has to write things down. If it’s not written down, it’s not getting  done. Therefore my Post-It Notes became my to-do lists, shopping lists, bookmarks, and bill organizers. Somewhere along the way, task orientated notes turned into inspirational notes the day I was surfing the web and found a quote I liked and wanted to remember for a school project some years back. I stuck the Post – It note with the phrase to the inside of my textbook. A few days later, I opened my text book after a really hard day to study for a test I was nervous about. As I cracked opened the pages, I came across the note I originally wrote that said, “Happiness is a choice. Choose wisely.” At the time, the note didn’t hold much significance. It was just a cute distraction from my studies, but from that moment I was hooked. I began sticking notes with motivation and inspiration in various places. In my lunch box. Under my book. In my wallet. In a notebook. In my underwear drawer. You name it; I put a Post-it note  there. My logic was that it would provide for a great pick me up when I come across one of my own hidden notes. If I was already in a good mood when I found one, it would just be a pleasant surprise. Little did I know how powerful, my surprise messages would be until a few years later…

I remember the day so vividly. It was another day at my dead end job that I merely liked. The only things that kept me going were my  coworkers and the promise from my boss that in six months I’d get a raise. So when six months came I was prepared with a speech to get the raise I was promised. I put on my most professional attire, rehearsed my lines, and walked into my boss’s office only to get rejected. I didn’t get the raise, but I did get more vacation time. (Yippee. Because an extra week of vacation was really going to help pay the bills!) Ten minutes after getting rejected for the raise I was promised and deserved, I got a phone call from my best friend telling me she just got promoted. Needless to say, I felt like a loser. Of course, to make matters worse I was reminded that my Citibank Student Loans were due.

I held back tears as I reached into my purse to pull out my checkbook and sign the check for hundreds of dollars and my life away to the devil. As I opened my checkbook, I was confronted with my fears, the reality of my bank account and the truth… Because there within my checkbook held the words I needed to see so badly… “Hang in there. You are stronger than you know.” At that moment, I dried my eyes of my tears and smiled because I knew it was true. It didn’t matter that I didn’t get a raise. It didn’t matter that I was drowning in student loan debt. And it didn’t matter that I was losing myself in a job that I didn’t love. I knew that I was destined for better and I would overcome my situation because I can do the impossible. My entire perspective on life had changed in that moment because I finally had faith in my strength. I began putting my life in motion to improve my situation and things have never been the same since then. It’s only gotten better…

Who knew an obsession with post-it notes and motivational quotes could do so much? I didn’t, but sure glad I started it. To this day, I still continue to hide notes with inspirational phrases and get just as moved and excited each time I find one. It’s one addiction I hope never dies.

Do you have a favorite quote that inspires and motivates you? 

TERRIfic Quip: On the other side of fear lies freedom.