It's a new day, a new year and a new start.  I'm grateful for another year, 2012 has arrived.  Ironically this new years day, is on the first day of the week (Sunday), not to mention today in Southern California was one of the most beautiful clear sky sunny days.  I enjoyed every moment of today's weather.  I took a walk for over an hour admiring Gods creation and the neighborhood in which I live.  As I was walking my movement was headed forward.  God created us to walk moving forward and not backwards.  It's easier to walk moving straight ahead.  Imagine walking backwards to get where you're headed (after a while, you would trip and fall).  I encourage you to walk ahead and not allow the past to trip up your future.

In life some people reflect on their past, either on good or bad experiences.  Time is inevitable, we cannot stop or freeze it.  What we can do is take the time were given to enjoy our lives, slow down from our busy lifestyles and appreciate life, while smelling the roses.  Even a beautiful rose stem comes with thorns, but what you choose to focus on makes all the difference.  We all have gone through ups and downs (our roses and thorns of life).  Staying down is not an option when you decide to move forward and not backward.  This new year 2012 is a new day to start walking and moving forward.  Make this year your best so far!

Let's talk about the real you.  The authentic you; when no one is around and the only thing surrounding you is the four walls in your living space.
 
When the make-up or the designer watch you were wearing is off... who are you then?  In society we tend to
focus on materialism, the extensions of ourselves versus the interior of who we are.  Who you are from the inside, is your authentic self.  
 
I encourage you to take a look at yourself and examine who you are from within.  And make an effort to see value in who you are and not in what you possess.  Although our possessions are important to many of us, they should not be everything to us.  For example: I had completed my workout at the Gym a couple of weeks ago and I was in the Women's locker room preparing to leave.  One of the members of the Gym had a beautiful hand bag.  I complimented her bag as well as another gym member.  Before we knew it, the three of us were engaged in a conversation.  The lady with the hand bag and I had spoke in passing before, however the other member introduced herself to us.  She also felt the need to show us the picture of her new vehicle on her iPhone and she continued by showing the outfits she wears when not at the gym.  I said to myself, "where is this conversation going...?"  It was a reminder that some people truly value their possessions.  What defines you is not what you have, the value is who you are.
 
Yes, our possessions are an indication of hard work, decisions made and our likes/wants.  Nothing is wrong with
wanting nice things or possessing them.  However, there is a problem when the authentic you is hidden under
layers of materialistic items.  Women especially, we are accessorized with purses, shoes, clothes, hair extensions, false nails, tans, cosmetic procedures, the list goes on.  We can get lost in layers of cover-ups and eventually who we really are can get lost.  Once the accessories are removed (the ones that can be at least) take a look in the mirror, this goes for men too.  And get to know the real you.  Your transparent self.
 
Start today by finding yourself and discover the authentic you.  It may sound cliche, but true beauty is from within.    



                                            

I was recently made aware of the life cycle of a butterfly.  Butterflies are notable for their unusual life cycle.  It’s interesting that a butterfly only lives as an insect for up to twenty days.  What was more interesting was; the butterfly is an egg longer than it is an insect.  How blessed are we as human beings to live a much longer life.  Think about the times you’ve spent rushing through a day, not taking a moment to enjoy smelling the roses. 

I now have a greater sense of appreciation for a butterfly.  I’ve always enjoyed the rare moments of seeing a butterfly.  Now I realize why the moments were rare.  A butterfly is a beautiful insect, their colorful wings and scattered movement is effortless.  Butterflies are important economically as one of the major agents of pollination.

There are five stages to a butterflies full life cycle: first a butterfly is an egg for two months or more depending on the temperature, second it’s a larval for four to six weeks, third it’s a caterpillar for two weeks, fourth it’s a chrysalis for seven to ten days and then it’s a beautiful butterfly (insect) for up to twenty days.                  

If the butterfly is a male it lives up to twenty days until it mates and once the male mates it dies.  A female butterfly has the same life span until she lays the eggs.  Once the female butterfly lays the eggs she dies immediately.  I thought about this new information and the first concern I had was the thought that; the male/female butterfly never gets the chance to see its offspring.

Tomorrow is not promised, however today we exist.  We can all make the time to appreciate life, family, health, friends, this very moment and more.  It’s easy as smiling or saying hi to a stranger.  Looking around and being grateful of mother nature - the trees, flowers, grass and mountains.  And if you have the rare moment of seeing a butterfly, enjoy and don’t blink.  A butterfly can flap their wings faster than humans can blink their eyes. 

I encourage you to enjoy every moment of your life...

Think about what you value the most. Is it your job, your status, family, car, house, a higher power, your vice, or your money? Would you agree that we're in a society that puts more value in what we see, versus who we are...? The power about self, is that no matter what society thinks or does; we as individuals have the power to think and do what we decide. We have the POWER OF CHOICE. Think about it.

I wanted to write this Blog to ask you the question; what do you value the most. And help you look within and take a moment to think about your answer. Keep in mind, only you have the answer. It takes just a moment to self-reflect and see yourself transparent.

More time spent looking within would help society put more value on who people are, from the inside out and not the outside in. I believe what you value the most has influence on who you are. And what you value the most can become your god.

I had an Event at the WESTIN Hotel.  The theme of the event was entitled 'Who's Your God'. It was an awesome event! And I'm forever grateful of everyone that supported and attended. My event asked the audience who was their God, just as this Blog is asking you, what do you value the most. Whatever your answer is; my hope is that it some how contributes to helping others. And if not, you could consider making the choice - to change for the better.

We all have a vice (habit) either good or bad. There's a nature of the beast some would say. We all have a nature about us, a natural way of being who we are. Some people habits consist of smoking cigarettes, biting their nails, drinking excessive amounts of coffee a day or being organized. I've heard several comments from individuals saying they would not function without a cup of coffee in the morning. Think about who you were before your vice. None of us was born with a bad habit, instead we made a choice to have the vice be part of our daily lives.

I hope this blog helps you look within. And realize, your appearance does not ultimately define who you are. Instead it's the choices you make and what you value the most. Think About It.