Remember those "Choose Your Own Adventure" books? They were so exciting because you got to make a choice that led you on an adventure. One choice took you this way and the other took you that way. Know what ells is exciting? YOUR LIFE is a choose your own adventure! Waking up every day and going to a job you don’t like? You can choose to take steps to get you to somewhere new. Stuck in a financial rut and can’t find a way out? Take action and find advice online of how to take hold of your financial future and change your spending habits… Now, this all takes three things. Conches thinking, decision making, and courage. In the choose your own adventure books, when you got to the bottom of the page you had to make a choice, “step into the cave? Go to page 93. Stay and have a picnic? Go to page 42.”… Wake up your mind and make a choice or be stuck on the same page forever. I know it's scary. I have to make these choices all the time. To get up and go to work, when all I want is to stay in bed. Get out the door so I’m not late for that audition. Heck, leaving a job that was safe for a job that offered more freedom to fallow my passions…You woke up today, your story isn't over. Let's find out what awaits on the next page.

Look around you. Who do you see? A friend, a neighbor, a stranger sitting on a bench, or maybe just yourself?... Everyone one of those people has someone who cares for them. A mother, a brother, a friend, a co-worker. Someone who sees them and wants the best for that person... Now it is not your job to be that person for everyone but to recognize this one simple thing. Before we react too harshly towards others just remember that someone cares for that person just as someone cares for you. I know we all have our bad days and that sometimes anger or frustration can get placed in the wrong direction. I do it, and it happens to me (I mean I live in NYC, no getting past it). I’m not saying to coddle and pet everyone who bumps you on the street or give you a nasty look at the store. What I am saying is that we need to take a moment sometimes. To think before we react. To be sensitive to how we are acting through out the day. Am I tired from not sleeping and need to watch my words? Did my boss chew me out and perhaps letting go have that before I see my friend might be beneficial? What ever the situation may be. Check in with yourself. Be quick to listen, slow to anger, and think before you speak. See how that may change your world.

Here it is again. That (not so little) voice in your head. "You can't do it" "You are terrible at this" "You are an idiot" "You can't do this simple thing? Why would you be good at anything ells?"... STOP! That voice has a name and it's name is doubt. We all have it. In some it is louder then others but it is there. Doubt get’s strong by taking your joy away.  You have to find a way to stop this thief that lives in your head. I battle it every day and I lose a lot, but I win a lot too. How do I win? I focus on the truths in my life. Truths given to me from friends, family, or complete strangers. Words of affirmation with proof backing them. Believing them rather then pushing them aside to make myself small. Believing in my greatness. Having faith in my skills. Learning that there is a difference between being humble and shrinking your greatness. If the fear of your greatness is attached to ego then here is a simple way to stay in check. Are you excepting your greatness to better serve others or to serve only yourself? If you only do it for yourself then I’d check in. Make sure it’s for yourself and not at the cost of others. Building yourself up to better your life and the world around you.  Who are you not to be great? You are capable of more then you know. Time to start believing it.