On Monday of this week, I posted an Instagram story with shots of Brian and me skiing powder below a perfect bluebird sky. I captioned it “Just another amazing Monday”. Video showed Brian jumping into an untouched powder field, blissfully making figure eight turns down the mountain.
Photos of our tracks and views of the Continental Divide still give me goosebumps two days later. It was one of those days when time seemed to disappear. Over four hours had passed and I’d had so much fun, that I simply could not comprehend that so much time had gone by. I was completely in the flow of doing something I love, with someone I love, in a spectacularly beautiful place. And it was just another Monday.
There’s still a little part of me that feels like I’m bragging when I share moments like this from my life. My life is exceptional and incredible; it is filled with love, freedom, and adventure. And believe me, I don’t ever take it for granted – I give thanks every single day for everything that I have.
But sometimes there’s a little voice that wants to hold me back from sharing – or rather – there’s a little voice that pretends to tell me what other people must think – who does she think she is? She’s so privileged and spoiled. Why does she have to brag about her life so much?
I’ve reached a point though where I’ve realized that unapologetically living my best life, that being my most authentic self, that living joyfully and blissfully, is setting an example. I want to show people that they can have a life that they are wildly in love with. I’m not here to show off or brag. I’m here to inspire and to show you what’s possible, and to open your mind to the infinite potential there is in the world.
For you, your dream life might also look like skiing powder with the love of your life on a random Monday. Or, it might be running a business on a sailboat or in a camper van while exploring the world. It could be starting a charity that helps refugees through some creative talent you’ve buried away. Or it might be as simple as having the freedom to stay home and play with your kids instead of heading out to fight traffic every day.
Give yourself permission to dream
The point of all this is that I want you to give yourself permission to have big dreams. I want you to start believing that you can have everything you want in life. You are responsible for your own happiness, health, and how you experience this world. So why not start taking control of your destiny and build something you are proud of, that makes you excited to get up each day?
Before cancer, my life was pretty darn good. But I always had a hunch that there was more for me; that I could do more, be more, and live a life more amazing than I ever had. I had a feeling that my dream life was out there, but limiting thoughts and beliefs held me back:
“People won’t understand my choices…”
“I can’t make enough money doing what I love…”
“I’m afraid people will judge me…”
“I already have more than enough…I don’t deserve more…”
“I’m afraid to be different…”
But something shifted in me a couple of months after my diagnosis. I was still here on this planet, and I had managed to make it through something extremely scary, a disease that not everyone has the good fortune to overcome. And I was lucky enough to come out on the other side relatively unscathed.
Suddenly those little voices in my head, the annoying little thoughts about what I should or shouldn’t do in my life, seemed to fade so I didn’t hear them as much. I realized – I am blessed with this one life, and I am lucky and grateful to still be alive. I am going to make this life mine. I am going to do what makes me feel alive and full of joy. I am going to honor my unique path, without apologizing.
So I challenge you to become aware of the little thoughts you have, the ones that are holding you back from your dreams. Can you change “I can’t have that”, “I can’t do that” or “I can’t be that person” to “What if I can have that?”, “what would it look like to do that?” or “I am capable of being…”?
Notice your thoughts and give yourself permission to change them. Because when you allow yourself to think differently and to develop new beliefs about what you can or can’t do, what you can or can’t have, or who you can or can’t be, a whole new world will open up to you.
You get to write your own story in this life, so write the story that inspires you and makes YOU feel alive.
Do any of my old limiting thoughts sound familiar? Have you heard something similar in your own mind? How can I help you overcome them and start living your dream life? Drop me a line or share in the comments!