Living life to the fullest - Best. Advice. Ever.

As I enter the final weekend before my return to Valpak, I was looking for a quote that summed up how I felt about the last several years on my own and the hopes that I have for the future - and this was the result of that search. As a believer, I'm reminded daily that God has a plan for my life and understanding and accepting His plan for my life is an ongoing journey, but one that has made me value each day as a new opportunity to make the most of my life.

As you catch your breath this weekend, take a moment and ask yourself if you are truly living your life to the fullest and as you do, know this. When you find yourself being able to do the things you love and live your life without fear or regret.... you will truly get the very best out of the life we've been given. Make it a great start to the weekend all! ‪#‎NoLetUp‬ ‪#‎LookingForward2Monday‬ ‪#‎WhateverItTakes‬ ‪#‎IBleedBlue‬ ‪#‎NewOpportunities‬ ‪#‎LoveMyLife‬ ‪#‎Thriving

Taking chances: The only way to live!

As I end the last Monday before my return to a full time job next week (looking forward #Valpak!), I was struck today by the fact that I really don't have any regrets about the decision to go out on my own, and in fact have even less around deciding it was time to end the 'on my own' part of my work life and fully commit my energies to the next season of my career - all with the additional experience and background to bring to bear on my newest gig.  
As you wrap your Monday, give some thought to whether you are / have taken the risks you should in your life. I'm fortunate to say as I get ready to start my latest adventure... that I won't ever have regret in the end, because when I had the chance.... I took it! Enjoy your Monday afternoon all! #WhateverItTakes #NoLetUp #NoRegrets #TookMyChances #IBleedBlue #BringOnTheNextPhase #Thriving

Live your own path: Life lived well

After the whirlwind that was the month of April, and the new adventure ahead - today's quote was a perfect description of one of the key elements that got me through.  We are all on a constant journey to find our own paths and I for one spent a fair number of years when I was younger trying to be someone else and not embracing the uniqueness that was my own experience.

Discovering my own path in this life is something that I've come to realize is a journey that never truly ends.  Life experiences take place, ups and downs occur and the people and places that populate our lives change over time as well.  As you start your Sunday morning, ask yourself if you are truly pursuing your own path in life.

As someone who has been fortunate to not only find their own path but to live life along it - I can heartily endorse the fact that living your life and NOT what others think you should be doing - is the very best life you can hope to have.  Make it a great Sunday all! #OnwardandUpward #BlessedInLife #ThankfulDaily #NoLetUp #WhateverItTakes #Thriving

Living life 'out loud': A recipe for success

There are quotes that change their meaning for us as our life evolves and the sentiment of today's quote has changed for me quite radically for me over the past few years.  For an extended period of time I wanted to be the 'big man' that everyone talked about and saw that goal as what 'living out loud' was really all about.  What I've found over time however, is that to 'live out loud' oftentimes requires us to be quiet and let our work and efforts speak for themselves.  The last 48 hours have taught me another lesson about this message.  You learn the most about yourself when you stop, take a moment and listen to what the world around you says about you.

Are you having a positive impact on those you love and care about... or are you too focused on yourself and what you can take from this life.  I'm totally humbled and floored by the reaction of my friends, family and once and future colleagues at Valpak/Cox Target Media to my plans to return to the fold and I'm looking forward to 'living out loud'.... back where I know I belong.  I'll never be able to adequately thank all of you for your wonderful feedback... but know it was appreciated!

Enjoy the start to your Friday and know that I am truly thankful to have a community of caring friends, family and coworkers who make every one of my days richer because you are a part of them! #Countdown2May9 #IBleedBlue #TrulyThankful #Blessed #LetsDoThis #OnwardandUpward #NoLetUp #WhateverItTakes #Thriving

Appreciating today: All will change in a year

One if the best pieces of advice I ever received from my Dad was to accept the fact that the only thing constant in our lives is change. Sometimes those changes are simply the passing of another year and other times they come fast and furious. When I found this earlier today I was struck at how true this quote has become the older I get... And I'm glad that I take some time each day to really look around me and savor each day for what it is - something we will ever see again.

As your Tuesday afternoon flows by, take a moment and look around and remember this truth... Nothing will be the same next year. Grab your life and make it what you want it to be... No one else is going to do that for you! ‪#‎LovemyLife‬ ‪#‎LivingtheBestLifeICan‬ ‪#‎WhateverItTakes‬ ‪#‎NoLetUp‬‪#‎MakeEveryDayCount‬ ‪#‎GettingtheMostOutOfEachDay‬

Living Life on Purpose - An homage to @SimonSinek

I've been a fan of Simon Sinek since I saw his TED Talk (Start with Why - Google it, you won't be sorry), and when I saw this quote of his earlier this morning I captured perfectly the new phase of my life that I'm entering.  As I mentioned over the weekend, I've made the decision to shut down my companies and go back to work full time for someone else, and while challenging and frustrating as that decision has been it was also liberating for me as I've had the chance to look back on what I learned over the last 2.5 years (which I'd tell you includes a fair amount of humility), and assess how best to move forward.

I've got several potential next steps in the works (thanks to everyone for their thoughts, prayers and support), but one thing that I know for certain is that while my life has never been lived 'by accident', the events of recent months have guided me to believe that 'living our lives on purpose' is the absolutely best way to live.  As you start your Monday morning and the new week, give some thought to your own life.  As you just giving lip service to your life or are you getting out there are truly taking action to ensure that you 'live your life on purpose'?!  Make today the best day you can - it's the only one like this we're ever going to get! #MovingForwardDaily #TheAdventureContinues #NoLetUp #OnwardandUpward #WhateverItTakes #LivingTheBestLifeICan

Life is 'Brutiful': Living the best way we know how

The last several weeks have been an interesting object lesson in the ups and downs of life and when I saw this graphic earlier this morning I immediately knew it was a perfect description of where I am in my life right now. I'm thrilled to report that two weeks after my Father in Law's stroke, he's recovering quickly and got a chance to spend some time with him again last evening - time we've always treasured, but now are reminded of the importance of daily.

I've also made the decision over the last month or so to gear down my companies and head back to work full time for someone else. So why are these events 'Brutiful'? Because this is what life is for all of us - simultaneously beautiful and brutal..... but frankly I wouldn't have it any other way. We often learn about ourselves and those in our lives when things are at their most challenging and I'm thrilled to report that my life is even richer than I ever thought possible!

As your weekend gets underway in earnest, give some thought to how even the challenges in your life - seen in the context of life being 'brutiful'- are actually making your life much richer than you thought possible. Make it a great Saturday and make sure you make today the best it can be - it's the only one like it we'll have! ‪#‎Takingit1DayatAtTime‬ ‪#‎LifeisFullofChanges‬ ‪#‎NoLetUp‬ ‪#‎WhateverItTakes‬