Many of us have become a prisoner of other people’s expectations. We can spend our entire lives searching for love instead of loving the person that yearns for it the most, ourselves. The most valuable things you can give to the world are yourself, your talents, your skills, your wisdom, and your truth. Never dim the essence of who you are to make other people feel comfortable. Listen to your inner voice. Let it be louder than the noise around you. Comparing yourself to others is often the hijacking of your peace of mind. Live a life of choice. Use what you have learned to live a better human experience. Time is free but priceless. Make every moment of your life an outpouring of love and grace.

I have come to understand youthfulness is not a time or place in life. Rather a state of mind and lifestyle. At 46, I am still learning and relearning the principles that encompass the art of living. There is no comprehensive manual for this self-discovery journey you and I are on. Our experiences become stories to tell, while conversations become hearts to touch. Each new day brings about a blank canvas to paint invaluable growth possibilities. Wherever you are, be there fully while living a more simpler life, moment to moment.

In life, many people excel at finding reasons why something will not work. Before your life can change, your thoughts about your life have to change. Most things we fear exist only in our minds. Never let your fears become more prominent than your dreams. Make peace with your past and friends with your mind. Keep your mind open, flexible, and teachable. Develop the habit of speaking kindly to yourself about yourself.

As you navigate your journey, focus on releasing people, things, thoughts, and environments that no longer serve you. Close the doors on your life that lead to places of fear, resentment, regret, negativity, and stagnation. It is never enough for our eyes to be open. We must be able and willing to admit what our eyes see. No matter what we are going through, each day presents a unique opportunity to be a positive difference-maker. Strive to make someone’s day special. Life is truly not about you and I. It is about those we serve and lead. Wealth is what you take from the world. Worth is what you give back. Inspire people to go beyond what they believe to be possible. What you do to others, you do to yourself.

So live your life, take chances, bet on yourself, empower others, and do not wait for the perfect timing to get started. Because right now is the oldest you have ever been and the youngest you will ever be.

Be not someone who has died, while still alive!

Thank-you Paul McGinley, Kristina Clark, Abigail Johnson, Jeanne Guthrie, Jack Bell, Ryan Thompson, Lauren Zanussi, and Mike McDonald for believing in the future. You are my inspiration!

By Brian Nadon

www.VaticFoundation.com