Hi there,

Snow has finally fallen in Minnesota! Take a look at my sweet boy Bogie! Makes you want to go out and make a snow angel, doesn't it?


Last week I wrote an article on how to survive the rejection you might encounter once you decide to live your best life. It struck a cord because more than one of you wrote back to me thanking me for the reminders.

I’m so happy to be that person for you – the person who reminds you to live the life you want. And because of that I felt I wasn’t done on the topic of friends, family and others you fear might judge you and your life.

Some of you that have been subscribers for awhile know that sometimes I just have to bottom line it and NEVER have I felt as strong a need to do that as right now.

When it comes to fearing what others might think of you if you live the life you want to live there is really only one thing that needs to be said:

Who cares what they think!

OMG – I know – it’s such an easy trap to fall into. What will the moms in my neighborhood think? What will super successful and cool person think? What will my co-workers or buddies think?

Listen, I’m definitely not insensitive but I do get my feathers ruffled BECAUSE so many dreams die before they even begin because of one fear: the fear of what others will think.

That is why we must take a "WHO CARE'S" stand against this ubiquitous fear that rages in our culture.

I know, it’s hard to stand up for what you believe in. I know it’s hard to put yourself out there. I know it’s hard to be authentic in a room full of people trying to impress. I get how judgmental and mean people can be. I know it’s hard to say “no thank you” when every other person in the room is saying, “OK”. I get it. I’ve been there and it’s tough.

But

Someday, at the end of your life, when you no longer have contact with the moms at your kid's school, or you no longer work with the people at your company, or you no longer attend cool parties with hip people, won’t it be sad if you gave it all up for THEM?

Don’t let it happen.

Don’t let your dream for a better, more authentic and joyful life die because you fear what others will think. I guarantee you, those people won’t matter in a few years anyway. You probably won’t even know them anymore. Sure, they’ll be replaced by a new set of people but maybe, if you stand by your side today, that new set of people will be people that totally get it and support you.

All I can say now is go for it. You’re in good company with all of the other dream makers in our world. There’s a big, big group of us and we tend to find each other so hang in there; you’ll find your own special group of dream makers to join forces with.

That’s it for this week. Just my impassioned plea to not give up and to stand sturdy in your intention to live the life you want.

Whew! That felt good to say! Now that my feathers have smoothed out I’m smiling thinking of all of you that will find the courage to utter

“who cares”

the next time the fear of what THEY think eeks its way into your mind. When you do, just know, you have made us all very, very proud.

Like always...

Wishing you happiness, success and the courage to face fear squarely in the eye,

:)

PS. Read this week's article on why it's important to VALUE what makes you unique. As you read think about how valuing yourself, at a deep level, will make it easier for you to be the person you must be even when faced with rejection from others.

"Truth is that which does not contaminate you, but empowers you. Therefore, there are degrees of truth, but, generically, truth is that which can do no harm. It cannot harm." -- Gary Zukav from The Seat of the Soul

Value What Makes YOU Unique

Bette Midler has been quoted as saying, “Cherish forever what makes you unique, ‘cuz you’re really a yawn if it goes.”

Valuing what makes you unique is important because when you can feel your value, at a deep level from within yourself, you’ll finally understand how unlimited you truly are and how possible it is for you to create the life you want.

You will see yourself as someone who has something to offer the world, rather than seeing yourself as someone who struggles and has little hope of living a more fulfilling, happy life.

Once you can feel your value and cherish it you will become someone who can relate to others on a deeper level.

You will come to understand VALUE is not a gift or acknowledgement you get from others, it is a gift and acknowledgement you gift to yourself.

VALUING yourself consists of two parts: Knowledge and Acknowledgement.

1. The first part of valuing yourself lies in your ability to understand and gain knowledge about what makes you unique.

You gain this knowledge by taking an inventory of your passions, talents, gifts and values. In so doing you’ll be able to more clearly see how the puzzle pieces of your life fit together to form a beautiful, brilliant work of art – YOU!

2. Part two is the less tangible part of this two part process, for it has more to do with how deeply you can feel your uniqueness, appreciate it, acknowledge it and even love it. And for most of us this takes time, maybe even a lifetime, to do.

Valuing yourself is something you need to feel at a mental, emotional and physical level. It is when you can feel what it feels like to value yourself you gain power and become your own best friend.

How does valuing your uniqueness help you get and keep your life on track? Once you understand, acknowledge and embrace what makes you the person you are, no one or no thing can ever take it from you. This self-knowledge and deep feeling will empower you to grow, take risks and believe in yourself.

OWN your gifts, cherish them and value your uniqueness. There is only one you in the world and you are perfectly equipped to create and live the life you most want.

©2006 Cari Vollmer / LifeOnTrack(tm) / LifeOnTrack.com

Want to use my articles on your website or your own ezine? No problem! But here’s what you MUST include: Cari Vollmer, Founder of LifeOnTrack.com and creator of InspireYourSuccess.com, simplifies personal growth by showing you step-by-step how to create and live a life that works well and feels great! To sign up for her FREE how-to articles and no-charge 5-Day Feel Great Now E-Course visit LifeOnTrack.com.

Lead a Life YOU Find Extraordinary. ©

Copyright © 2007 LifeOnTrack.com, Cari Vollmer

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