Good Friday #578: There's No Shame in Asking for Help (Friday, January 26)

This story is from Malene B. Read the caption...I hope it motivates and encourages you.

There was a time in the early years when I applied for food stamps—and got rejected. Not because I made a ton of money but because I was just over the state limit for a single person. Clearing out old paperwork I stumbled across the rejection letter. It’s a reminder of the struggles so many of us face being entrepreneurs. I’ve experienced many many challenging financial moments as my own boss —months were I could barely pay my bills, drowning in debt, no access to credit cards (cash only for many years) and no paycheck in sight. But I didn’t let any of the circumstances hold me back from dreaming big. I just did what I had to do and kept moving forward. I just kept doing the work, knowing that brighter days were ahead. Entrepreneurship can be very rewarding but I also want you to see that it is not so glamorous either. So the next time you want to judge someone for applying for any type of government help just remember you have no idea what’s going on. So I hope this post encourages you. Don't give in. Don't give up! Keep on keeping on. Y'all know I'm not religious but there is a quote that says 'though the vision may tarry, wait for it, it will surely come' So hang in there! #mytruth . . . #keepinitreal #keeppushing #noshame #lifelessons #creativebusiness #womanownedbusiness #girlboss #badassery #bossbabes #bosslady #network #entrepreneurmindset #business #entrepreneurwoman #artistdiary #creativejourney #myart #mystory

A post shared by Malene B Atelier (@malenebatelier) on Jan 23, 2018 at 4:54am PST

Good Friday #577: Happiness Is...

"Document the moments when you feel most in love with yourself - what you're wearing, who you're around, what you're doing. Recreate and repeat."

This week's story is an anonymous submission:

"I have a great life. It's the life I imagined for myself when I was younger. I travel when I want to; I have an enviable wardrobe; my career is going better than ever; I have a beautiful family - literally, I'm blessed. But I'm unhappy. 

I'm not sure when I first realized it. I just know that for someone who has such a full life, with the exception of my kids, it often feels very empty. And I hate feeling like that because I don't want to seem ungrateful, so I try harder. I'm always hoping that the more I say it and shout it, the more I'll believe it, but it wasn't working. 

Then one day I saw the quote above and I started to do that. I made a mental note of the people and situations that make me feel good. That has been working. I'm realizing that my happiness is tied to moments and experiences, not things. Technically everyone knows that, but it's hard to feel that. Yes, it feels great to carry a thousand-dollar purse. I worked hard for it. But the times when I feel best are when I'm doing activities with my kids; or looking at art; or dancing. It's empowering to realize this because now I can truly control my happiness."

Good Friday #576: Trusting Your Gut Takes Guts (Friday, January 12)

Powerful story courtesy of @1thatgotawayy. Hover over the image and click the right arrow to read all five pages.

🌿 On trusting yourself

A post shared by Rachel Elizabeth Cargle (@1thatgotawayy) on Jan 11, 2018 at 4:10pm PST

Good Friday #575: It's Your Turn (Friday, January 5)

For 10+ years, I've been sharing my thoughts, life lessons and words of encouragement with the world.

Now it's your turn. This year, the theme of Good Friday is reader-generated content. I think many people have important stories to share, if we only listening.

So I'm looking forward to listening and learning from you in 2018!

:)