“If at first you do not succeed dust yourself off and try again” I often find great irony and sometimes I am left  feeling a little confused as to why phrases like this one was always enforced as a child, but as we approach adulthood excuses and reasons are more acceptable. I believe that we all have valid reasons and there will be commitments that we are unable to keep, but Is it that we cannot or are we choosing to hold on to what is comforting and easy. The real question is can we afford the excuses or time being wasted? for every excuse that is an opportunity missed to add value or see real progress. The more excuses we have the more we struggle to thrive daily, putting of what we can do today for tomorrow only adds more stress for us mentally. Tomorrow has its own share of challenges we must always be mindful that we are not taking on more than we can handle. The reality is most of the time we create unnecessary stress in our lives through our thoughts, actions, and all the limiting beliefs we hold on to. Life will be as simple as we make, and we will be as happy as we decide to be.

This leads me to share my experience last week Friday In the park as I was enjoying nature and quality time with my daughter, I noticed an older gentleman and two young kids a little girl and a little boy who both appeared to be between the ages of seven and nine years old.  The gentleman was teaching them how to ride a bike which was a beautiful sight to see, but what I found to be the most amazing part was how he used his words to motivate and encourage them. Once they got on the bike, he would guide them with instructions and if they fell short of the mark, they were aiming for what he did was highlight their progress. By doing that he was training their mind to not focus only on what they did not accomplish but to be happy with the small progress made. The result of him doing this repeatedly I witnessed how quickly the kid’s confidence grew and each time they fell he congratulated and encouraged them to get back and do it again. Each time they got faster, farther, and better, why? because he used his words to change their perception of what was happening and how to recollect themselves after falling. Do you remember the first time you were learning to ride a bike?  what if you began to apply that same mentally in your life the way you did when you were learning to ride a bike for the first time. Ultimately you will realize that life is just like riding a bike first you must identify what your vision is for your life. Secondly learn what it takes to achieve it, decide what you are willing to give up for it to be a success. Once you have created your mental check list it is time to get to work, finding what works for you and you begin to pedal. In the beginning take it slow and steady, each time you fall you take a mental note you get back up and you try and try again each time applying the lessons learned until you master it.

In conclusion I want to share how important it truly is to protect and feed your mind, our thoughts and our words are powerful, and they shape our reality.  It is important that we are feeding our minds with materials and thoughts that serves us in a positive way. We cannot afford to be distracted or defeated by the choices we make with only twenty-four hours in a day it is important that we make the best of it. Complaining will not grant us more time, throwing in the towel every time you fall will make your life easy or fulfilling. Success comes with hard work, sacrifice and commitment there will be moment when everything is flowing and working in our favor and there will be moments when everything feels like it is crumbling. It is normal and it is okay to take a second to inhale exhale cry if you must but never ever quit.  The greatest tool that we have is the power to choose the kind of day, and life you truly desire and be ready and willing to fight the good fight. Pray about every situation, every challenge, and every time you fall pray for the strength to keep going. Life owes us nothing we owe it to ourselves to become the best version of ourselves as we work to bring our vision to reality. Find your bike, get on balance and pace yourself because this is a marathon worth entering and we are going for a ride