Twenty-Something's

What is it about our twenty-something's? By far, my twenties has been the hardest, craziest & most incredible decade (so far).

Some may have experienced:

Engagements. Weddings. More "Education". "Big Girl" Jobs. Living on your own (not attached to your parents' gas card). And so much more!

I think I can say that most twenty-something's are still looking for that purpose... what you really want to be when you grow up (not the office assistant job you got directly out of college). Or maybe you are doing some soul-searching... why did God put you on this earth?

The best advice I can give you - is do what you love. And more importantly - do what you're good at (you'll probably make more money :: if that's important to you). 

I've learned pretty early that you limit your own self - and the choices you make, prove that. 

I'm scared to make that leap of faith from a corporate job into being "my own business" - but, it's going to be totally worth it. And, I'm almost at the finish line.

I'll leave you with this last thought for tonight ::: don't ever wait - because a year from now, you will wish you have started then. There's never going to be a perfect time. 

Happy Tuesday!

..xox..

Liz

Don't Give Up

A little inspiration for you on this rainy day...

Achieving your ultimate dream takes time, commitment and patience. Nothing great ever happens over night - and it certainly doesn't happen on the first try.

...xox...

Liz

Let Go

So - I know I'm supposed to be mostly writing about fitness tips, but I've been feeling "advice-y" lately. (Is that even a word... advice-y?)

Anyways, I feel like I've had a lot to share!

Recently, I've caught myself looking back and reminiscing over all the amazing memories I've had over the past 24 years of my life. 

I'll share some highlights:

• Being privileged enough to ride & show horses competitively in the most prestigious show circuit in the world & having the best trainer in the process (along with meeting & making friends with unforgettable people). 
• Meeting my 9 best friends in high school.
• Having a best friend since I was 6 - and be able to pick back up like yesterday. 
• Moving to Nashville and working at the best company (CMT) and meeting my soulmates. 
• Joining the BEST sorority at FSU... Zeta Tau Alpha!
• Marrying the man of my dreams... Tyler. I wish I could relive my Wedding Day... over and over.

But, really - what I want to tell you - is that sometimes you just have to let go. Not "let go" as in forget about. What I mean is to remember to live in the moment. Those memories - you will always have. So, hopefully you learn from them - and always cherish the people in those memories, too.

Besides reminiscing - which I'm very good at - I've been thinking about ALL the dreams I've ever had. I'm a HUGE believer in following your dreams. I always have & always will. 

But, there are some dreams in your life that will never happen. 

"Life can pass you by while you are clinging on to a wish that can never be - or ought never to be - fulfilled."

Don't let your dreams be tantalizing - they should bring you happiness. 

This doesn't mean that you can't accomplish the impossible. 

Because I believe you can.

Me!

...xox...

Liz

What Are You Worth?

I've always been told to be well aware of my self worth. So, what does that mean?

I'm going to explain.

Let me introduce to you: Kim Kardashian. I bet many of you are already rolling your eyes. She is a reality super star who is no stranger to conflict. But, I actually admire her in certain ways - because she knows her self worth.

There has been a big "to-do" with Kim because there were rumors that she won't do anything for free, whether it's tweeting, making an appearance, modeling or wearing designers' clothes. Anything she does or is associated with is worth a lot - and she knows it. 

She knows her value to society... do you?

Think about it.

• Do you have a job where you feel underpaid? Do something about it. Let your boss know how much you're worth. 
• Do you have family or friends that take you for granted? Stand up for yourself.
• Do you doubt yourself in what you ultimately want to achieve in life? Re-evaluate and know what you are worth. And know that only you can make a difference. 

Don't be afraid to shine! If you don't believe you have a high self worth - then others won't see you as valuable.

My Husband & I :)

...xox...

Liz

The Seed

My Boss forwarded me an excerpt from the book called The Seed - and I want to share it with you. Read what he sent me below - it will shed some light on those who are struggling in their current career OR who are just getting started.

 

For me - I find it that I want everything in my career RIGHT NOW. I want to already be the "Top Dog". I know it doesn't happen overnight - and reading this helped validate that I am on the right track.

 

Read below:

 

"

1. You are here for a reason and the most important thing you can do in life is to find, live and share your purpose. It’s the one thing in life that truly matters and if you don’t pursue it, everything else is meaningless.

 

2. Follow your passion. It so often leads you to your purpose. You may not know what your passion is right now. That’s ok. The important thing is to make it your life mission to find it, live it and share it. To help find your passion, seek out jobs and experiences that allow you to use your strengths and gifts. Do what energizes you.

 

3. Beware of hobbies. Just because you love spending time on Facebook doesn't mean you would enjoy working for the company. And just because you love to cook doesn't mean you would enjoy owning a restaurant. For example, I owned restaurants but I realized I didn't love the food business. I loved the service and marketing aspect of the business.

 

4. Quit for the right reasons. Don't quit because work is hard or you're experiencing challenges. Quit because in your heart you know there is something else for you to do. Quit because you are not benefitting yourself or the organization you work for. Quit because you are absolutely certain you are no longer supposed to be there.

 

5. Learn from every job and experience. Every job, good or bad, prepares you for the work you were ultimately born to do.

 

6.Your current job may not be your ultimate purpose but it can serve as a vehicle to live and share your purpose.

 

7. Whatever job(s) you take after graduation simply decide to serve. When you serve in small ways you'll get more opportunities to serve in bigger ways.

 

8. Your dream job is likely not the one you dreamed about. So often we end up in amazing careers that have nothing to do with our college degree or childhood dreams.

 

9. The quest for your purpose is not a straight line. It is filled with mystery, signs, obstacles, victories, dead ends, delays and detours. Your job is to stay optimistic and faithful on your quest.

 

10. Don't rush the future. There is a process that seeds must go through in order to become all they are destined to become, and you must go through this same process to become the person you are meant to be and do the work you are meant to do. You may want things to happen NOW but more than likely if you got what you wanted NOW you wouldn't be ready for it. The purpose process prepares you, strengthens you, shapes you and grows you to be successful, not in your time, but in the right time.

 

11. Be the Seed. Seeds surrender themselves to the ground so they can be used for a greater purpose. Wherever you work, decide to plant yourself where you are and allow yourself to be used for a greater purpose. When you plant yourself and make a difference you grow into the person you were born to be and produce a harvest that will benefit others and change the world.

"

 

I hope you got as much out of this as I did! :)

 

...xox...

 

Liz

Power of the Mind

Aside from the fashion, fitness & everything princess - I have something different I would like to share with you in this post.

I forgot where I heard this or even where it came from - but - have you heard about the power of the mind? And believing in something so much... that it actually comes true? I've seen this work miraculously throughout my life. I'm going to share with you two specific instances where this type of thinking has been influential. 

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*Many, many years ago - I believe I was 9 or 10 years old. I remember sitting in the golf cart at a horse show up in Wellington. I was holding onto the reins of my sweet white pony, Mikey, with one hand and a magazine, Sidelines, in the other. I flipped to a picture of a young woman (between the ages of 17-20) who was being recognized in an article for her performance at the North American Junior & Young Rider Championships - which is an International Junior Olympic Competition for young riders.  It's the most prestigious event a Junior Rider can be invited to compete in. I remember specifically telling my trainer, Jane, that I would be competing in that one day. 

Sure enough - it was something I worked hard for, for 8 years. (Not only did I work hard... I obsessed about it.) I did have some luck - to where I was able to sell one horse - to afford another - which then led me to the horse I competed on in Young Riders at 17. Later, I did several Grand Prixs on this horse - before I went off to college. Anyways - the point of this short story is - I believed in something SO MUCH and thought about it whenever I was riding horses - and somehow - with a lot of work - I got there. 

Chester & I

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*Now, this short story may not have a happy ending - but it does show you how you think (whether it's positive or negative) can really affect your life. Recently through this blog, I have shared with you my family's story with my Dad. Well - for as long as I can remember - my Mom has always told me that when I "grow-up" to have a "specific". What she meant by this is - for me to be an independent woman - and to always have my own source of income, so I will never be entirely dependent on a man. My Mom always told me that if "something ever happened to my Dad" that our family/financial situation would be devastated because she didn't have a career. I promise you - that I heard my Mom tell me this 1000x. It was almost as if she was predicting something was going to happen - and sure enough - it did.

In no way am I blaming my Mom for anything! However, I thought it was interesting how she said something so many times for so many years - and it actually came true.  

No real reason for this photo - hehe - but it's Tyler & I!

So, what I am trying to say is - if you believe in something so much - and will do anything to have it. You will achieve it. The power of the mind is incredible.

...xox...

Liz

6 Words

So, this weekend - Tyler & I visited one of my best friend's beach house in the St. Augustine area. Over the many conversations of catching up and bringing each other up-to-date with our realities - we came across an interesting topic. 

We began discussing this amazing blog: Six Word Memoir. This blog asks it readers to describe their lives in only 6 words. 

I thought this was so clever. How can any person describe their life in 6 words? More importantly, how can someone make sure those 6 words have a clever meaning?

On our drive home to Boca, I thought about it the whole time. I finally came up with my 6 word memoir:

Enter the room sparkling, leave dazzling.

This simple sentence describes what I was taught growing up. No matter what situation you are in - you should confront it with confidence and radiance. When the situation comes to an end - your glow and energy should only get brighter. Make sure you leave a lasting impression in anything you do!

So, what would your 6 word memoir be?

Beach & Beach House in St. Augustine

...xox...

Liz

Today's Inspiration

I must say that I'm huge on quotes and all inspirational sayings. I always look for some kind of inspiration throughout my everyday life - whether it's a quote I see in passing or a phrase I liked while reading a book.

Anyways, I received an email today from my Mom. She does forward me lots of emails - but this one struck a different note with me. So much so - that I wanted to share it with you:

‘What is truth?’ Pilate asked Jesus (John 18: 38).

A new seeming truth asserts itself and those who recognize it as the end of the world as they know it resist and are bitter and hostile.

Those who were sick of the old and want something entirely new are carried away with enthusiasms and passion … and they wish to impose their newly-found truth upon the world.

Both have completely nullified the really creative work at hand.

In the reign of the Holy Spirit – the world of possibilities – blossoms forth and is to be found in the present moment.

In a time of great change, one can be very preoccupied with what is ending or very obsessive with what seems to be beginning.

In either case, one losses touch with the pearl that is in the present with its obscure, but dynamic, possibilities.
 

Truth and goodness are to be found in openness, readiness, attention, courage to face risk … to not know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going … to recognize the possibilities offered by the present moment and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope.

Such are the ways of love.

Such is the place in which to remain ... always.

I'm sure each person who reads this will have their own interpretation. However, this is what I took from it:

There are going to be times in your life that require great change - both good and bad. However, we should never lose touch with the present. Because before you know it - that moment will be in the past, too. Also, know that God will never present you with an obstacle that He thinks you can't handle. We need to accept our fate and move forward with courage, faith & hope. Perhaps this fate will bring you to new possibilities - those that wouldn't have been possible without this "big change". 

Don't miss your chance to live in the moment.

...xox...

Liz

Presenting... YOU!

Have you ever realized how much we judge something based on its "presentation"? For example...

We judge the presentation on our plate before we eat it:

Delicious Sushi

 We judge the way someone's house looks on the inside and on the outside:

Beautiful Home

 And, we judge each other:

ME!

So, what I am trying to say? Presentation is important.

Your not going to eat the food on your plate if it doesn't look yummy. You may think someone lacks taste or has a dysfunctional life, if their home is messy or unkempt. Finally, people may judge your confidence, success & status by how you present yourself to the world.

Whether or not you are successful (yet) - if you dress like you are beautiful, successful, & confident - then it will come. If you believe it - you can become it.

Make sure your hair is done - make your nails look pretty - dress professional at work - wear less "comfy" clothes in public (even if it's just for errands).

How you present yourself is a reflection of your character.

There you have it... your first Liz-ism!

...xox...

Liz