Motivational Monday & Blog Link Up

Monday's are the day I enjoy sharing with you some of the up's and downs in my life.  This past week has been full of what in my opinion are lots of ups.  So I thought I'd share some picture's of the camping trip I have been on.

Obviously since I am in this foot boot, I can't actually go hiking (which is my 2nd favorite sport to running.)  But thankfully there is fishing:)  I do enjoy fishing, and since you don't actually have to use your legs much to do it, this is something I get to keep on my "still can do" list.
Another thing on this list is reading, and I brought lots of books so I could catch up.
This is also something I can do to keep my mind off the fact that it is fall marathon season (my favorite time of year.)

One day I woke up to 8 inches of snow

Additionally, I have a little countdown going on in my mind.  4 weeks down, 4 weeks to go and no more boot:) YAY  I have a Dr. Appt. next week to find out my progress so far, which I am excited about too!  I am hopefully expecting some great news!

The next day the snow was about all melted and the fall leaves were starting to change

That's kind of the fun thing about Utah, they say if you don't like the weather just wait 10 minutes.


Monday's I also do blog link-up's so if you are interested just click on the Linky below and add your blog to the list.  If you have time visit 1 or 2 other blogs in the list and share some love by leaving a comment:)  In return if someone leaves a comment on your blog, make sure you take the time to come back to theirs and return the favor:)  HAPPY MONDAY ALL!!!

Hydroxycut Max Giveaway & Motivational Monday

First I want to give an awesome shout out to my sister.  Earlier this year she swore she'd never run a marathon.  But I guess anyone can change there mind, and that she did.  A couple of months ago, she bumped up her training and entered her first marathon, which she ran over the weekend.
Not only did she finish, but she finished with an incredible time of 3:40, in that fabulously hilly Top of Utah Marathon!  Congrats Sis!!!


Also today, I have a fun giveaway offer, for someone who would like to try out Hydroxycut Max for Women.  A powerful weight loss supplement, courtesy of Vitacost.


I have a few fun giveaway offers today.
This is a TWEET to WIN.  Winner will be announced and contacted on Friday.

If you'd like more information on this product you can
CLICK HERE

Giveaway is for Hydroxycut Max for Women.

Information:
*  Tweet to win - Tweet must mention @Vitacost & @Hydroxycut
*  5 WINNERS WILL BE SELECTED
*  Winner must have a U.S. Shipping address
*  The selected winner will need to provide an address and your prize will be mailed to you directly from Vitacost.
*  Just enter in the Rafflecopter form below
*  You can enter as many times as you want to Tweet it out.
*  Enter in the Rafflecopter Form Below

Motivational Monday

This is Motivational Monday, as well as a blog link up for those who are interested.  You'll find the link up at the bottom of this post.

I saw this quote you see below, the other day.  I loved it!  I actually enjoy looking back over my life, even over the past few years, months and sometimes even days and I love to see the changes I have made in my life.

Take a moment today and reflect on who you are, it just might surprise you:)

Diet-To-Go Review

Motivational Monday Blog Link-Up

(You can link up your own blog post at the end of mine.)

     I have been excited to share with all of you my review on Diet-To-Go.  You may know I am a Diet-To-Go Ambassador.  Let me first tell you a little of why I decided to join Diet-To-Go.  They are all about creating healthy living, by healthy eating.  
To lose weight you have to insert both diet and exercise into your life.  It's not easy, in fact it can be darn right hard at times (this I know)!  For me I used to look at celebrities and think to myself, now if I only had my own personal chef that could make food I actually enjoyed.  Then I'd be able to turn regular dieting into an all around healthy lifestyle change and look as good as some of them do.

     Well that is what Diet-To-Go is, it's your own personal chef.  They send the fresh meals to you weekly.  So it is completely easy and hassle free!  You sign up, and ask for the type of foods/diet you would like to be on.  You can be picky and leave out certain things, so when you get your meals they are food you will love to eat.  How easy is that?  It's seriously is just like having your own personal chef!

     This past week I have been enjoying some delicious dishes.  This isn't my first time trying out Diet-To-Go meals.  I have to tell you I was pleasantly surprised to discover that their menu is even more vast than I previously thought!  I didn't have a single meal to eat that was the same as any of the many meals I have tried in the past.  They have three meal plans to choose from: Traditional, Vegetarian and Low Carb.  Each meal plan has 5 weeks of meal rotations, so as you can see a very vast selection of meals!


I chose the Traditional Low-Fat Diet Meal Plan to eat this past week.  I'd like to give you a daily breakdown of my daily meals to give you a little bit of an idea of the types of yummy foods they have available.

Blueberry Pancakes

Day 1
Breakfast - 4 Pancakes each piled with blueberries, with a turkey sausage with veggies for a side.

Lunch - Szechuan turkey burger on a delicious multi-grain roll, with a carrot beet salad as my side.

Dinner - Turkey Chili with beans


Day 2

Breakfast - Mango Cranberry Muffin

Lunch - Turkey ham salad on a fresh pretzel roll a side of Lentil Chili and String Cheese. Picture on the right

Dinner - Fettuccine with Italian style meatballs in tomato sauce and a side of vegetables.

Day 3
Breakfast - Ratatouille Omelet, with lots of yummy cheese and veggies and a side of Asparagus. pictured to the left

Lunch - Chicken Alfredo Melt in white sauce with a side of vegetables.

Dinner - Penne Pasta flavored with turkey and meat sauce.





Day 4

Breakfast - Noodle Kugel, creamy egg noodles cooked with spices and a side of applesauce and Cranberry juice drink. Picture on right

Lunch - Curry Chicken Salad Sandwich on a soft mulit-grain bun, with side of mandarin oranges.

Dinner - Chicken Parmeasean

Day 5
Breakfast - Fruit Ambrosia, a Kashi granola bar with a fruit mix of mango, pineapple, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries smothered in Ambrosia sauce and yogurt.

Lunch - Deluxe Turkey Sandwich on a soft yummy multi-grain bun

Dinner - Chicken Pizza piled with lots of yummy cheese, sauce and chicken with a side of fresh broccoli. Picture on left


I absolutely loved my meals!  I have to tell ya, I love their breads!!!  I could eat one of their sandwiches on their breads for lunch every day of the week, they are my most favorite!  

All the meals are great, but I am a normal person and of course I am going to have a few favorites.  So some of my favorites this week were the Chicken Pizza, Curry Chicken Salad Sandwich (YUM) this was my first time trying Curry.  Yes I know odd, but hey I am a picky eater and always afraid to try new things, but this showed me that I need to be willing to try new things.
Other favorites, Szechuan Turkey Burger, Ratatouille Omelet, Turkey Ham Salad, Blueberry Pancakes.  
They also had an extra meal included in mine that was a Strawberry & Peach Fruit and Granola Parfait, again YUMMM!

Doesn't that mulit-grain bread look delicious?  

I'd like to mention, most meals are huge and I rarely finished some of them before having to stop because I was full.  I just put the remainder in the fridge for a snack later on.  Seriously love that you can eat healthy foods, and lose weight and at the same time always feel full.  That's to me is what Common Sense Healthy Eating is all about!!!

Speaking of pounds, the Diet-To-Go meals in addition with being able to add new exercise into my life last week helped me shed a little over 4 pounds over the past 7 days.  Now I won't lie, it may not entirely have been the meals alone.  After all I did go from 3 weeks of little to no walking and on crutches only, to this past week, a lot of walking and working to strengthen my ankle injury.  However, that is a lot of weight in one week, so  I completely believe it had a little to do with both the meals and the new exercise!  Either way I am extremely happy with it all!!! YAY!!!

This is a GREAT time to try out these meals.  For my blog readers you can use the coupon below to get an amazing $50 off a week of meals.  Seriously, that is an outstanding offer!!!!!  Take advantage of it, you will love not having to prepare and spend ton's of time cooking.  You can give a week using Diet-To-Go as your own personal chef a try!

Last, if you haven't already here is a link to Diet-To-Go's current Sweepstakes, where you can enter to with 1 MONTH of FREE Meals.

http://diettogo.com/facebook-sweepstakes

Disclaimer: The company Diet-To-Go provided the meals for review.  I was not required to give a positive review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Additionally Today is The Motivational Monday Blog Link-Up

So take a minute and link your own blog up below.

How it works: Link up any Positive Blog Post

Take a few minutes if you can and visit other blogs in the link up.

If someone comments on your blog, make sure you return the love and comment back on their blog!

Add a New Positivity Into Your Life Today

Motivational Monday Blog Link-Up Day

(You can link up your blog today at the end of this post)

Although some dread Monday's, I think we should look at Mondays as a perfect day to start the week off right.  Set the week's tone, so to speak!

So today I picked a few quotes to use as motivation for this post.  As well as I have another Monday challenge for you all today.

TODAY

I challenge you to do at least 1 Positive thing for your life:

(Below is just a list of idea's to get you started on the thinking process)

*  Do Something You've Been Putting Off

*  Do Something You've Been Wanting to Get Started Doing

*  Do Something That Will Make You a Better Person

*  Do Something Kind for Someone Else

*  Preform a Random Act of Kindness

*  Do Something That Will Bring Your Family Closer

*  Do Something That Will Help You Find a Career You'll Love

*  Do Something That Makes You Happy

*  Begin Breaking a Bad Habit and Start Changing it Into A Positive One

*  Find A Way to Begin Educating Yourself on Something You've Always Wanted to Learn

*  Clean or Organize Something You've Been Putting Off
*  Start Working on A New Workout Plan

That's it, pretty simple.  I know it doesn't sound like much, but if you give it a try I believe you'll see your day will be brighter, more focused.  You'll look forward to getting to the point in this Monday where you can go and begin this positive change in your life.

You're welcome to do more than one of course.  But picking just one is perfectly fine!  No sense in overwhelming yourself with new positive changes!  Good Luck and Have a GREAT Monday!!!

Link-Up YOUR Blog Today!

Try and Visit the Other Blogs in the Link-UP.

Share Some Love With Comments.

If Someone Comments On Your Blog, Make Sure You Return The Favor!

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Motivational Monday Do Something to Make YOU Feel Proud Today

LINK UP YOUR BLOG TODAY AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST

Today for Motivational Monday, I thought I would suggest something different.  Nothing motivates and inspires you more than paying attention to others, and making a difference in someones life!  So today I want you to find at least 1 thing to do for someone else.  It can be big or small.  If you're having a great day, try to do it for 2 or 3 people.  Here are a few suggestions, to point you in the right direction.

*  Smile and say hello to someone who you don't normally.

*  Compliment someone on what they are wearing, how they look, or something they did.

*  Offer to do something for someone who looks like they need a break.

*  Secretly buy a drink for a co-worker and leave it on their desk with a note *Just Because*

*  If you are at lunch or dinner and have some extra funds, secretly buy someones meal(s), ask the waiter to give you their bill and tell them, someone anonymous said "Have a great day."

It can be big or small, (sometimes the smallest things mean the most to someone!)  Just find something throughout your day that you can do to uplift someone else's life today!

LINK UP YOUR BLOG TODAY HERE

CHECK BACK THROUGHOUT THE DAY VISIT THE OTHERS IN THE LINK UP

SHARE SOME LOVE AND COMMENT ON THEIR BLOGS

IF YOU CAN ADD A LINK TO THIS POST, SO YOUR READERS CAN CHECK OUT ALL THE OTHER BLOGS IN THIS LINK UP TODAY.

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Motivational Monday KindRunner.com Just Launched

MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY

Link Up YOUR Blog Today at the Bottom of this Post

I am really excited to be an Ambassador for Kindrunner.com and to share with all of you this amazing company and how they work and how they can benefit YOU!

Kindrunner.com is a unique new online company for runners.  You actually get cash credit rewards for sending in your old running shoes.  In return, kindrunner.com gives those rewards back to you so you can put them on new running shoes or other merchandise.  Additionally, you'll know your old running shoes are making a positive difference in the life of someone in need.

Kindrunner's are a group of experienced experts and runners, who came together to use their different insights, past experience and expertise to create an amazingly unique idea for runners.
I truly believe in Kindrunner.com's mission and believe their partnership with Soles 4 Souls is an amazing idea!!!
Let me explain a little more about this incredible company and their idea and why you should start using Kindrunner.com today for all of your running shopping needs.

KINDNESS CASH REWARDS PROGRAM a.k.a (KCR)

*  Replace your old shoes with brand new shoes.

*  Keeps your old shoes out of the garbage and landfills
*  Turns your old shoes into credit for new shoes or any products from their website.
*  KCR Credits never expire.

HOW KINDRUNNER WORKS

*  Purchase new shoes from Kindrunner.com
*  Kindrunner sends new items, and a return shipping label for you.
*  When new items are received, take the box and put your old running shoes in them and affix the return label and put them back in the mail.
*  Each return label (box) sent to kindrunner is worth a $10 credit to your account.
*  Credits can be applied to that order, or saved for future orders.

KINDRUNNERS FREE 3 WAY SHIPPING PROCESS

*  Free shipping of your new items to you.
*  Free return shipping on any returns for any reason
*  Free shipping of your old shoes to them, for re-purposing with Soles 4 Souls

HASSLE AND WORRY FREE ONLINE SHOPPING

*  Every product they carry, has an expert product review video you can view.
*  365 day return policy on any product.
*  If you are injured, or your doctor wants you to try a different model and you are unable to use your new shoes, no worries just send them back for a no hassle, no questions asked return.

MORE ABOUT BUYING FROM KINDRUNNER.COM

*  They carry ALL the best brands for shoes and running gear.
*  They have experts you can contact with any questions.
*  You can get all of your running gear in a one stop shop!
*  You can send your old shoes and know they will be going to someone else who will be able to get more use out of them.  You'll be able to know you made someones life better because of your donation!

PERKS FOR BEING ONE OF THE FIRST

Kindrunner is giving FREE SOCKS FOR LIFE to their first 500 customers!  Isn't that amazing!!!!  How it works is, each time you order shoes from Kindrunner, they will ship a free pair of socks (your choice of course) with your order.  As long as you are running and in need of shoes, you'll never have to pay for socks again thanks to Kindrunner.com.

Don't you love the idea of Kindrunner.com as much as I do?  Take a minute and go and visit their website, learn more about them.  View all the products and check out the expert video's.
Share their message with other runners, so they can learn about this great new company too!  

Visit Their Website HERE

View their You Tube Video HERE

FOLLOW KINDRUNNER.COM TODAY

Today is the Motivational Monday Blog Link-Up

* Add your blog to the Link-Up 

* Add a link to your post to this link up, so your readers can come check out the others 

* Share some love, visit the other blogs and leave a comment. 

* If someone comments on your blog, make sure to comment back within 48 hours.

Drastic Decisions and Changes

(Link Up Your Blog Today at the Bottom of THIS Post)

I am mainly a wedding decorator by profession, but I do have a 2nd job to fill in the time and help me save up additional funds to finish my 50 states marathon goal.

Last week I mentioned my foot injury at work.  Letting them know I wouldn't be picking up extra shifts starting in a few weeks for while so I could heal.  Mentioning an injury was apparently a big mistake for them.  In short I was told I had to stop working immediately and I am not allowed to come back until I can get a Dr.'s note stating I am healed.  (Guess they were afraid I would file some workers comp claim if the injury got worse from working.. Which I wouldn't...)

Anyhow, I am now forced to take the time I NEED off my foot so it can be healed once and for all.  I have a few things I have to get done in this morning, which require me on my feet (wedding stuff).  But after that, I am picking up the crutches and I will be staying off my injured foot/ankle for at least 2 weeks straight (more if needed), to give the tendinitis and bursitis some time to heal and go away for good.

I am really feeling this is actually all working out for the best, which is why I put the happiness quote above!  I am looking forward to healing and getting back into my passion of running.  Not to mention hopefully in just enough time to still get in shape to run some fall marathons.  Sometimes things happen for a reason (Note the Quote Below).  I am hoping that having to go through this long layoff injury will only bring me better and better things when I can get back into it again!

If you ran last weekend, share with me your great running or race stories.  What are your passions in life?  Have you ever had to take a considerable amount of time away from them for one reason or another?  Lately, I take my motivation from others so I don't dwell to much on my own situation, I love the comments and sharing of stories:)

LINK UP YOUR BLOG IN THE BELOW LINKY TODAY
Don't forgot, Link-Up's only work if you visit the blogs and make sure to take a min and share some love with a comment:)

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Motivational Monday - Fresh Start, New Goals

(Link Up Your Blog Today at the end of This Post)

     Over the weekend, I did a lot of thinking about... Well everything.  Once I laid it all out in my mind I realized I need to make some positive changes.  My injury has been (because it's going on 4 months) getting a bit more depressing.  I can't change the fact that I can't be working on my marathon goal.  But I CAN change a few other things.

     I realized, I am getting a little lazy.  It apparently happens when you go from running everyday, to well not...  This year, I have lost 18 pounds to date.  I have a few more I want to shed.  I realized with not being able to distance run right now, this is the perfect opportunity to shed the additional weight.  (Because for me, when running and training for marathons, it's been near impossible.  I have succeeded in not gaining weight during them, but I get so hungry, I haven't been able to lose much while training for them.)

So I have a few new goals, I am going to start working on.  Some are life related, and some fitness related.  I hope to share my progress each week for a while on my Motivational Mondays.

1.  Drop 10 more pounds.

2.  Figure out a way to start getting some cardio workouts in again (that won't hurt my injury).

3.  Lose a few inches on my waist and work on strengthening my core.

4.  Eat healthy and cut the Pepsi down to only 1 a week.

5.  Get more organized with both spring cleaning, and some business cleaning.

6.  Become injury free, and stay that way!

For me when I make goals, I also need to create rewards.  So these are my rewards for when I achieve the above.

1.  Buy the new running skirt I have had my eye on for a while now:)

2.  No reward needed for this, the reward will be in the exercise itself!!!

3.  When the tummy is flat again, buy a new awesome swimsuit:)

4.  When I have dropped to 1 a week and held it for 3 weeks.  I am going to take all that saved money and go buy some new fishing equipment:)

5.  Once all area's are cleaned out, I am taking myself on a camping trip to relax!

6.  Once I am injury free, I get to pick where marathon #40 will get to be, and start training for it, YAY!!!

That's it!  It may not sound like much, but sometimes in life you need to throw in a few mini goals, that hopefully will help you with your long term goals!

So tell me, do you have any mini goals you are working on right now?  

This is Motivational Monday, you can link up in the linky right below.  The purpose of a link up, is to take a few minutes and visit other blogs in the link up and show some love by leaving a comment.   Other purposes, share the Link-Up with others, so they'll know to join up too!  If someone leaves a comment on your blog, make sure you take the time to visit their blog!  It's all about Linking Up and sharing the Love:)

Motivational Monday - Life Doesn't Always Go As Planned

MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY BLOG LINK UP AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST

     I have both been wanting as well as not wanting to write this post for a while.  Sometimes life has a funny way of working out.  For me that has come these past few months in not exactly the ways I would have chosen.

I've shared part of this before, but for those who don't know let me explain.  Prior to January of this year, I was a girl with a lot of determination, a high tolerance for pain and set on a path of a goal.  Last September, I had a horrible hip flexor injury.  So bad even my high pain tolerance couldn't stand running on it.  In short I had to take 6 weeks off running to heal.  I thought this injury was the worst ever!  I had to pass up on 1 marathon in NH I had already paid for, and I still had 5 more marathons that fall to get through.
After no running for 6 weeks, I went out for a short 6 mile run a week before my next scheduled race and I determined and felt things were okay and I could run again.
I was right, and I ran my 5 marathons last fall, and even pulled off 3 full marathons in 15 days of which the final one I had caught the dreaded flu:(

After that time off and injury I thought that was the worst possible thing that could happen and I was going to take every precaution.  So that something like this would never happen again and I could continue running and working on my goal.  Of course, I could do everything within my knowledge correctly.  But sometimes fate has a different plan...

My injury that I have been dealing with now for 3 months now with pretty much no running peroneal tendinitis wasn't even caused by running.  In fact I had been taking a slow down and huge drop in mileage to recover from everything I pushed my body through last fall.  So I was only running a very few miles a week at the time. However, I had taken a 2nd job and thought I would just buy a supportive comfy pair of flat shoes to wear since I would be on my feet for long hours.
Who would have guessed that those comfy flats would have caused the tendinitis and put me out for 3 months and counting...  (Apparently I should have just kept on wearing running shoes, flat shoes can be pretty bad on the feet.  Especially when you make a sudden change in footwear and standing time:)

I have had my down moments, and I can't even begin to describe my itch to get running again.  But I have forced myself to find ways to stay upbeat about it all.  With that came taking on some different projects.

I own a wedding company, and added a couple of new awesome services this year.  All of which I might not have gotten accomplished and finished if I had been off racing in the 7 marathons I have had to pass up on, that I planned to run this spring.  (Not that I am counting, LOL)

Example of what I do - A wedding me and my company decorated for:)

Second, I started my blog a few years ago as a way to share my 50 state & D.C. marathon journey with those who were interested.  But it was rare I ever blogged other than talking about a race.  I did nothing to promote it or get it out there.
But being laid up with this foot/ankle injury has given me a bit of extra time on my hands.  These past months I have really gotten into it more, addicted really:)
I have also loved following other blogs and have found some amazing ones out there.  I've had a few great opportunities come my way because of blogging, and I am really grateful for not only the opportunity but the skills learned from them.

My blog is not one single stream line topic.  Of course I love running, so I'd say the majority of things are fitness or health related.  I am a wedding planner, so I still share a little on some of the weddings have a lot of fun decorating.  I also love to read and writing, so I like to tie in book reviews here and there.

What are my blogging goals?  I'd love to turn the tables a little and get even more into blogging and see if I could make any income out of it.  Do I know exactly how to do that?  Not exactly:)  I am taking things one step at a time.  But would love it, if I knew someone who was a professional blogger who wouldn't mind chatting with me and pointing me in the right direction.

Third, I have been able to drop 18 pounds since I haven't been able to run.  Sounds funny doesn't it.  Most people need exercise to lose weight right?  Not me, apparently!  Actually it's funny because when I was pushing so much higher mileage and traveling frequently.  Two things happened.  One I was hungry all the time from all the running.  Two, traveling I wasn't exactly eating the healthiest.
I wasn't gaining any weight, but I wasn't losing any either.
But not being able to run, has reduced the hunger which in return has allowed me to figure out healthier eating habits.  That I am now pretty sure will carry through when I can run again and I am hoping to drop even more when that happens!

Last, with being injured I also finally found the time to start getting my book out to publishing companies and try my luck and getting it published.  This will be a long process, that I know.  But its a start, which is more than I can say might have been if I had been out traveling for running all spring.

Life happens, we can't always control it and it may not happen as we would have chosen.  But sometimes things happen for a reason, I believe also so other opportunities can come our way.
I may not have wanted to chose spending all of my marathon travel money on Dr. bills, foot braces, therapy, etc...   But it is what it is and I have a choice, I can be depressed about it.  Or I can find other positive things and goals to work on to carry me through!
Just in case you can't guess, I have been working really hard on going with the positive attitude and finding and making new goals to occupy my time until I can resume my passion of running again!

So tell me, have you had struggles that you thought were the absolute worst when they happened.  But when you look back at them you realize you had other opportunities or positive things happen in your life because of it?

LINK UP YOUR BLOG POST IN THE LINKY BELOW
Don't forget to take a few minutes and visit all the other blogs in the link-up and show some love by leaving a comment!

Motivational Monday Blog Link-Up - GIVEAWAY

**MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY 

Link-Up Your Blog at the Bottom of This Post**

     For this weeks Motivational Monday link-up, I decided to add my BESTOWED GIVEAWAY.  But for TODAY only, I am giving anyone who stops by my blog 1 Free Do Nothing Entry, just as my way of saying thanks for stopping by, Hope you have a great MONDAY.  Just click on the Motivational Monday FREE ENTRY in the Rafflecopter form below this post.
(NOTE: Since it is now past Monday, I have removed the additional giveaway chance.  If you'd still like to enter, you can click HERE.  I will announce the winner on May 9th both on this page, and on the original giveaway page.)

- But first here are my favorite Motivational/Inspirational quotes for the week -

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

LINK-UP YOUR BLOG POST HERE

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? 

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