Motivational Monday - A Little on My View of Dreams & Goals

       I thought it would be fun to start a new blog link up for Motivational Monday's.  This is a link up for anyone who would like share a post with others.

We don't always know what is going to motivate us, so how can we guess what will motivate others?  That is why Motivational Monday's post link-ups theme is broad and open to interpretation.

There are no real rules, but your link-up post, content or giveaway should be considered family friendly (no nudity or excessive language).  Motivate, Inspire, Teach, Give and Sharing is my idea behind it all.

You'll find the LINK-UP at the bottom of this post

I will be hosting this every Monday, so come back each week to join the link-up!

     I understand link-ups can take a little time to catch on. It's not required, but I'd love it if you would share the link up on Facebook and Twitter to get the message out.  You can even grab the Motivational Monday Button (below) if you would like to either post on your blog or include in your post, although since this is the first week it is not required to do to participate.
Because it is a link up, you should have somewhere in your post a link back to this page so viewers will know your a part of this, and can find you as well as all the other link ups.
Also, you should visit the other blogs in the link up and share the love with a comment on their post.

<div align="center"><a href="http://runawaybridalplanner.blogspot.com/" title="Runaway Bridal Planner"><img src="http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u425/kristy84120/MotivationalMondays-2.jpg" alt="Runaway Bridal Planner" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

   "Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." - Helen Keller
 
For my message in this 1st Motivational Monday, I'd like to share with you a little insight into my life and what I believe and how I life each day.

Walt Disney said it best.  "If you can dream it, you can do it."
It's short and to the point but oh so true!
I believe a lot of what we get in life is what we make of it.  Even at my age, I still believe absolutely anything I want in life is possible.  But I also firmly believe that if I want something I better be prepared to do whatever work it may take to get it.  I also understand that not everything we want will come to us exactly as we want it to, even if we do work like crazy to get it.

My favorite quote, by an unknown author:

"You have to do what others don't, to achieve what others wont."

I am not perfect, but I actually like that about me. I am not a millionaire, far from actually. I love to run, but I don't win every race I enter and generally finish in the middle of the pack.  I am usually a happy person.  But I do have my down days and moments like everyone else.  I like to garden, but a little more than half of what I plant tends to die off before harvest.  I enjoy writing.  But even though I can tell a good story, I know I am not the best writer.  I am not a size 2, but I lead a healthy and active life so I try to be comfortable in the skin I do have.  I am just happy to be me, but enjoy the fact that I am still optimistic about what I can become.

"Learn from the past, set vivid, detailed goals for the future, and only live in the moment of time over which you have any control: now" - Denis Waitley 


I have many small goals and big goals.  Some much, much bigger than others.  A few of my dreams and goals I have been working on are:

6 years ago I had a dream to own a wedding company, I made it happen and I absolutely love what I do.  Each year has been great to me, but this year is starting out to be one of our toughest and slowest ever.  I used to only do weddings, but in order to keep the finances going I've had to pick up a 2nd job.  I completely believe that everything will work out, and things will pick up.  I just need to keep doing what I am doing and learn and grow from it and I believe things will pick up very soon!

"Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy" - Norman Vincent Peale

About 2 1/2 years ago I made a goal to run a full 26.2 marathon in each of the 50 states plus D.C.  Since then, I have run a marathon in 31 states, and D.C.  I have 19 states to go.  But of course like life tends to do, it has thrown me a curve ball.  I am working through some tendinitis in my ankle and of course since business is down, I am having to work even harder to save money to finish my marathon goal.  Originally I had hoped to be finished by this November.  But because of this injury I have been unable to run any races this spring.  So now I am  hoping to finish by the end of May in 2014 or as finances will allow.

"Be miserable or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, its always your choice" - Wayne Dyer

I have a dream to be a published novelist.  It took me more years than I care to admit to get it finished.  But not too long ago I finished my first novel.  I have sent it out to publishers as I try my luck in the publishing world.  I have had one rejection so far.  But to be honest that doesn't get me down.  I have heard many authors even some of today's well know bestsellers, were turned down 10-12 times on those bestsellers before someone picked them up.  So I have already told myself not to get down until after the 12th rejection.  No matter what happens, I am proud I finished it and hope to write more and just keep shooting for my dream!

"I'd rather attempt to do something great and fail than to attempt to do nothing and succeed." - Robert H. Schuller

I have many smaller goals, and I have a few goals that are so big there is a chance they may be too big.  But I am a dreamer, and I wouldn't want it any other way.  I believe no matter who you are, you need some dreams & goals in your life.  Some things you want, and maybe some things you need. I believe making goals and working toward something can not only can brighten a day, but give a person the feeling of success and achievement.  If I have a bad day or week, and nothing seems to go my way.  If I have something that I can turn to and work on believe it or not it helps me get out of my funk and back onto better days.

"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals." - Henry David Thoreau

I also believe if you are working on goals, or achievements in life.  If you share those with others you never know who it may inspire.  Not only that, but it feels good to be uplifted by others who are listening to what you are going through.  Listening and sharing your life's journey can be a great benefit to both you and others.  Which is why I wanted to start up Motivational Monday's.  Give those who have blogs a chance to link-up their various messages, teachings, journey's, successes, achievements etc...  I also include giveaways, because everyone likes to have the hope that maybe they could win something:)

So tell me, do you like the idea of Motivational Monday's?  What types of things do you find motivational?  What types of blogs do enjoy reading? 

BELOW IS THE LINK-UP, ENTER YOURS IN THE LINKY BELOW