“Dare to Be. When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully. When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light. When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it. When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway. When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back. When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some. When you’re feeling tired, dare to keep going. When times are tough, dare to be tougher. When love hurts you, dare to love again. When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal. When another is lost, dare to help them find the way. When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand. When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile. When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too. When the day has ended, dare to feel as you’ve done your best. Dare to be the best you can – At all times, Dare to be!” ― Steve Maraboli

SEIZE THE DAY and DARE TO BE!

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There must be a million quotes and expressions which essentially deliver a very similar message to the one above, and although the one that inspired this post and was put forward by my mom @lizziesworld, was ”CARPE DIEM” - if we were to look at what that means, which is ”seize the day” - I really love the way the above one encompasses the entirety of that!

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We can all be overwhelmed by life and emotion, but we must never let it allow us to become distracted from making the most of what is right in front of us – irrespective of how we may be feeling at any given time. The thing is, as each moment passes – it is gone forever - NEVER to return again.

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So keeping that in mind, when it comes to negative expression and reaction – in the grand scheme of things, is it truly worth behaving in a manner which expends all your energy, and more importantly time and ultimately leaves you feeling depleted anyway? – NO! No, it it isn’t…

That, to me – is a complete and UTTER waste of the time which we have all been graced with.

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The same goes for when we drag our feet and “procrastinate”… at the end of the day, this does not serve us on any kind of productive level – we squander the hours as they pass and at the end of it all, we achieve nothing. I have learnt (time and time again) that irrespective of HOW crappy I may be feeling and how MUCH I would far rather stick my head under a blanket and continue to sleep – when it is all said and done, this does NOT make me feel any better…

In fact, it makes me feel WORSE! So I have now “trained” myself (if you will), that no matter what my frame of mind, I will get up and SHOW UP – grabbing the day in front of me and making the most of it… even if it IS at snail’s pace… Moving forward slowly, is ALWAYS better than not moving forward at all… and then, when the day is done, I feel a DAMN sight better than I would if I had tried to pretend that the day staring me in the face, did not exist…lol! True story ;)

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“Why Not You? Today, many will awaken with a fresh sense of inspiration. Why not you? Today, many will open their eyes to the beauty that surrounds them. Why not you? Today, many will choose to leave the ghost of yesterday behind and seize the immeasurable power of today. Why not you? Today, many will break through the barriers of the past by looking at the blessings of the present. Why not you? Today, for many the burden of self doubt and insecurity will be lifted by the security and confidence of empowerment. Why not you? Today, many will rise above their believed limitations and make contact with their powerful innate strength. Why not you? Today, many will choose to live in such a manner that they will be a positive role model for their children. Why not you? Today, many will choose to free themselves from the personal imprisonment of their bad habits. Why not you? Today, many will choose to live free of conditions and rules governing their own happiness. Why not you? Today, many will find abundance in simplicity. Why not you? Today, many will be confronted by difficult moral choices and they will choose to do what is right instead of what is beneficial. Why not you? Today, many will decide to no longer sit back with a victim mentality, but to take charge of their lives and make positive changes. Why not you? Today, many will take the action necessary to make a difference. Why not you? Today, many will make the commitment to be a better mother, father, son, daughter, student, teacher, worker, boss, brother, sister, & so much more. Why not you? Today is a new day! Many will seize this day. Many will live it to the fullest. Why not you?” ― Steve Maraboli

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If there is one thing that I have learnt as a mom and watching my little boy grow up, it is that time is fleeting. So make hay while the sun shines people!!! – Because within the blink of an eye, those opportunities are gone… and if you don’t do what your spirit is telling you to… you WILL regret it eventually!

Let’s not waste the moments, opportunities and time which we are blessed with, every single day that we open our eyes!

Until next time...

Much Love from Cape Town, South Africa xxx

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