I remember watching the TV series “Different Strokes” years ago. Gary Coleman played a character named Arnold. He use to question his brother, Willis, with this famous line, “What You Talkin’ About Willis?” Arnold had this furrow in his brow and a pouty mouth.

I saw the same look on my older son’s face the other day when his soccer team was suffering a potential loss. He is a competitive young man who strives to win. He is still learning the lessons of loss and sportsmanship. He wanted to switch to a different team, a team which he thinks could have a higher skill level. I told him we could look into the possibilities but I could not guarantee that the move would be possible. He may have to make the most of the situation. As he stood on the sidelines, he crossed his arms and gave me the look, “What you talkin’ about MOM?”

What I explained to him, can apply to areas in our lives as well. You may have an event or situation that comes up in your life that you may not care for. It can be working with a committee or a team in which all members come together with different abilities. I explained to my son, “There will always be people better than you and those who do not have the same skill level as you. What matters is how you play the game. How do you enrich the team you are assigned to? Are you giving your best in every play or situation?”
You can help build other players up by teaching them some of your savvy skills. Ask a person you see as more skilled than yourself for their guidance and tips for improvement. You can find out what every one’s expectations and goals are. Communication is so important in working together. Get to know each other and discover each other’s strengths. Position yourselves so that you are allowing people to give their very best. That way -You win. Everyone wins. Let other people know what you doing and ask for help when you need it. You are sure to SCORE  the goal and achieve your end result.

Take your event or situation. See how YOU can make a difference right where YOU are right now. Look at what you have and not what you do not have. The outcome of your situation depends on how you respond to it. What skills do you bring to the table? How can you leverage these skills and make your situation better?

I had the honour of interiviewing Dr. Fabrizio Mancini a few months ago. He is internationally acclaimed speaker with a big heart. Listen to his interview below.

Yesterday, I was passing the football back and forth with my son. For a 7 year old, he has some muscle in that little arm. He threw some great spirals. I, on the other hand, did not throw the perfect spiral. Jordan started to laugh and said, ” Come on Mom! I know you have some juice in there.” I was flabbergasted. I asked him how he learned to throw so well. He said, “Dad taught me. Look, Step, and Throw.” Lessons from my 7 year old, “See Mom, you can do it!”

When you want to try something new or improve in an area, do you LOOK for resources and people to help you? You want to talk to people who have already done what you want to do. Their wisdom is priceless. Read books in the area you want to grow in. If it is not one of your strength, consider hiring an expert.

Once you are armed with some knowledge and lessons from others life experiences, it is your turn. Do not wait for the perfect moment as you will just procrastinate and nothing will come to be. Instead, STEP into it! As you attempt to go after what you want, you create momentum. You can adjust along the way!

Make it your own TOUCHDOWN! It’s GOOD!

Stand tall. The gift and talents you possess cannot be shared by anyone else but you. Do not rob the world of your gifts and talents for the world is waiting. You are the missing piece of the puzzle. Sometimes you need to tunnel vision you dreams to block out the doubters and naysayers. These dream squashers have not pursued their dreams with the passion and tenacity you have. They are scared not that you will achieve your dream but they may lose you in the process. Be not afraid. They will lose you by not allowing you to chase your dream. Remind them that they can share in your dream with their love and support.

Be confident and brave. Summon the courage you have and take action toward your dream. The momentum you create leads to success. You only fail when you fail to take action. Your dream is for your eyes only but it must be shared with the people you know, like, and trust so you can get the support you need.

Define who you are not by a dictionary or by another person’s perspective but through your own eyes. The definition of you is for your eyes only!

How do you define who you are?

I will admit I am still a bit emotional after watching “Soul Surfer” tonight with my daughter and friends. It was an incredibly intense and moving true story about a young woman who lost her arm due to shark attack while surfing with friends. It is hard to understand why “bad things happen” and sometimes even harder at the time to see what good will come out of our journeys. When we are right in the thick of it, it is hard to see past where we currently are. How easy it is to become discouraged.

This incredible woman, Bethany Hamilton, fell off her surfboard  time and time again, only to get up again. She competed and was defeated. She even quit for a short time but surfing was in her blood. It was her passion. Even though, it was an actress, you could see the intensity in her eyes and her face filled with passion. There was nothing that was greater than what she felt when she was on that board. Waiting for the next wave to ride to the finish.

I feel like that when I speak in front of groups and write about being rich from the inside out and living life with passion and purpose. I know in my heart if I have impacted one person, I have made a difference. There is no greater feeling.

The “Soul Surfer” went on to become a professional surfer. Her message is so profound. Always give thanks and trust the reason you are following your purpose. It is the burning desire to feel fulfilled by doing what you love. When the right wave comes along, you will know in your heart this will be the one.

What are the moments you live for? The moments when you feel like you are surfin’ your soul!

Believe in your greatness, for you have great strength to ride your next wave.