Be The Change.

Before I kick off my writings for Week 8 of my blog, I must thank everyone for their immense love and support that was displayed with last week’s post. The amount of positive response, comments, and feedback I received was truly overwhelming and humbling. Thank you for sticking with me on this journey and being a part of it. I’m truly overjoyed to have each and every one of you with me each step of the way.

As we continue to move closer to the end of 2018, it saddens me greatly that the people of this country continue to get more and more polarized. No matter what political affiliation you identify with, it seems that we keep getting further away from working together to find common ground and work toward solutions for the issues that face us both now in the present and also the future.

Gandhi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” On January 2, 2019, I will reveal and launch a special project that will work to accomplish just that. It will allow everyone to look inside their hearts and come together for a common goal. There’s lots of back end work going into this project; however, several moments from earlier this year will make it even more special and sentimental. It can’t get here soon enough!

These days, it is not uncommon for me to be asked the questions of “how do you stay so optimistic and positive” or “how do you keep a smile on your face?” While you would think that the answers to these questions could be quite loaded and lengthy, they are actually quite simple.

The secret? Well, read on!

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So, where was I? Oh yes, the secret answers to the above questions that you just read moments ago. I was brought up on the principles of putting others first and showing them both love and kindness. Life isn’t about having the most friends, the most money, the most expensive luxuries, or being the most popular. It’s about making positive change in the world with what you have and lifting up others. And on January 2, I will open a new chapter based on these principles with all of you that I hope you will be a part of as well.

How can YOU make positive change in the world and lift up others in your life?

About two years ago, Katie Couric interviewed my spirit animal, Betty White in regards to the current state of the country. It is a piece of material that I still find relevant today and I would encourage you to stop reading my blog for just two minutes and watch the below clip. You can pick up reading my blog on the other side…

If, after watching this clip, you can’t figure out why Betty White is my spirit animal, then I might ask you to get your noggin checked out…just kidding…kind of…sort of…not really.

Are you guilty of saying “I hate this” and “I hate that?” Those of you who know me and read my “About Me” section on this blog know that I do my best to not say “I hate” and always try to replace it with “I dislike very much.” As you go about your daily lives, I would like to challenge you to be a LOVER and not a HATER. Show LOVE by sharing a smile with a stranger on the street. Show LOVE by sending a note of appreciation to someone in your life. Share LOVE by giving a hug to someone you know is going through a rough time. Show LOVE by seeking to understand someone else’s view point about a controversial topic by truly listening without judgment and open ears.

There is no doubt that the world is a scary place. However, it is up to each and every one of us to make the positive change and give others the love and kindness they deserve.

So, start today. Don’t waste another minute. And the next time you want to start off your thoughts with “I hate this” or “I hate that”—think of Betty White and her words of wisdom.