Hey...
Right now, I am sitting cross-legged on my couch.
Brandon is snoozing
next to me, wrapped in a soft gray blanket.
I'm reviewing a few emails, freshening up my to-do list, contemplating which groceries to buy this evening, sweeping the floor (a favorite ritual of mine) and doing other bits and bobs to prepare for the week ahead. You know. "Setting myself up for success," as someone once said.
I wasn't intending to send out a newsletter today. But then I felt a little spark of spontaneity, and I thought, Hey, why not?
Here is a powerful story that I heard recently, followed by a few recent blog posts, advice column installments, writing tips, music picks, and whatnot.
I hope you find at least one tidbit that feels like an invigorating lightning-bolt-jolt for the start of your week.
But first...
The story:
A few years ago, a woman named Ronda Rousey was bartending, living in her Honda (too broke to afford an apartment), feeling adrift after a series of discouraging setbacks.
Her mornings began with an espresso-and-vodka concoction and ended with pot and painkillers. She was partying, coasting, living in a fog. No one expected her to "make" anything of her life.
And yet...
I bet you're wondering the same thing that I was wondering after I first heard this astonishing
story:
Um... wait, what?!
How did she do that?
Obviously, "something" was awakened inside this woman's heart to spark such a radical transformation. "Something"
shifted. "Something" clicked. "Something" changed.
But what, exactly, is that "something"?
I don't know the answer to that question.
It is, perhaps, one of the great mysteries of the
human experience.
But there is one thing about "transformation" that I do know for certain:
Transformation of any kind — big or small — begins with a personal choice.
The choice to shift from "I would like to" or "I might" or "I wish" or "I could" to "I am."
Whether your dream is to awaken your
inner athlete... to start a blog and post one new piece of writing every week... to get your business up and running for real this time... or maybe, simply to become a more punctual person instead of perpetually running "just ten minutes late" everywhere you go... one choice can mark the beginning of a new era. A new standard of excellence. A new everything.
As a dear friend reminded me,
recently, while recounting her own incredible story of transformation:
(I've been thinking a lot about transformation, grit, devotion and commitment, lately. On that note, here are ...)
Two recent blog posts:
- You say you
want it. Badly. But how hard are you trying, really? (Warning: this one might sting a little. It gave me a "yeowch, I needed that" feeling just to write it...)
A few vintage / less-recent posts:
Also:
- Several people emailed me this week asking for tips on how to write a "bio" or an "about me" page for their website. If that's something you're curious about, FYI: I've got several pieces of bio-writing advice (and templates) on my website. You might enjoy this and this and also this. Hope that helps. Happy writing!
"Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has
to be done, it's always your choice."
—Wayne Dyer
To the power of personal choice.
May your next one... be loving, firm, and
excellent.
-Alex
PS. If all of this talk of "championship" and "motivation" is just a bit "much" for your spirit, today, take a spirit-break and read this sweet, charming book: True Love. (I devoured it yesterday and sobbed the whole way through. Ohhhhh. I love... love.)
PPS. This "soothing meditation" is hysterical, strangely calming (... and probably not suitable for your workplace. Unless your boss is super cool).
PPPS. This song makes me very, very happy. :)