"And it's not going to just come to you, and it's not going to fall in your lap. And it's not going to be something that's 'oh my gosh, it was just so simple.' " - John Maxwell
"Understand that to achieve these goals, you must apply discipline and consistency." - Denzel Washington
People are going to talk no matter what, so you might as well do what you want and be who you want.
If you have success, people will look at you and say, 'must be nice.' They don't care about, nor do they want to see all the blood, sweat, and tears that took place YEARS before, and that continue to take place, because success takes WORK.
Priorities, discipline, sacrifice, hard work, and then smart work.
You can do anything you want to do and be anyone you want to be. You are stronger than you think and more capable than you know. But you have to make CHOICES. We all have to play with the hand we are dealt in life. Just because you think you know someone's story doesn't mean that is the truth.
We all make decisions. Your life is a result of all the decisions you've made. Bad things can happen to good people. Good things can happen to bad people. But so can good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people.
There is a law of sowing and reaping. You can't avoid it, you can't trick it, you can't interfere for someone else and take on the consequences of their choices either.
I'm not a toothpick, petite-figured woman. I have always been disciplined to have the physique that I wanted, and when health and stress shut my body down, I had to figure out a new routine of discipline to get back to where I wanted to be, so that I could feel and look good. Priorities and sacrifice.
I chose to wait on a good man, who ended up being the most amazing man I could have hoped and prayed for. I didn't settle and get married to any of the idiots I dated in the past because I was lonely or listened to all the stupid voices saying "you're too picky, you're not getting younger, why don't you settle down". Priorities and sacrifice.
I didn't get in debt over foolish purchases like fancy cars, designer handbags, luxury trips, pricey makeup, cable with a million channels, or just going shopping for clothes I didn't need when my budget didn't allow it because I wanted a better life. Priorities and sacrifice.
Of course, I'm human as you and we all are, and I've made a lot of mistakes along the way (which is actually how you learn instead of playing it safe and never taking any risks). But I learned at a young age:
- There aren't handouts in life.
- More often than not people will try to tear down your dreams because they can't dream themselves and they are miserable with their own life.
- You can't have everything you want. If you want to have a killer body, you can't stuff your face with oreos and doughnuts and be a blob on the couch. If you want a great relationship, you can't be self-absorbed. If you want to create wealth, you can't be mentally and emotionally lazy, you also have to be incredibly disciplined.
- People will disappoint you more often than not. Don't let them suck your soul. Be kind and love them anyway. Sometimes love = distance. And sometimes, people just need kindness because they are so broken they don't know how to be anything but ugly.
- God only made one of you, so do the thing that only you can do, because the world is waiting for and needing you to tap into your potential.
- You reap what you sow, so sow good seeds.
Check out this video about the mindset of high achievers and let me know what your biggest takeaway is!
Happy Friday, friends. <3
Xoxo, Kara