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“Forever Young”: 102-Year-Old Woman Leads Exercise Classes at Her Senior Living Home 4 Days a Week
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“Forever Young”: 102-Year-Old Woman Leads Exercise Classes at Her Senior Living Home 4 Days a Week

Just in case you're sitting on the couch, binge-watching Netflix, and thinking you're too old to work out, think again. This centenarian is about to change your mind.Meet Jean Bailey, the 102-year-old fitness guru from Omaha, Nebraska, who leads workout sessions four days a week at her senior living complex.She may be over a century old, but she's not about to let something as trivial as age slow her down.How a 102-Year-Old Woman Became a Fitness InstructorFor the past three years, every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 9:45 am about a dozen of Bailey's fellow residents at the Elk Ridge Village Senior Living Center gather together in the hallway to participate in her fitness class. They spend 30 minutes working out their arms, legs, shoulders, backs, and necks. They do everything from arm circles to leg raises to touching their toes.And while the participants may be seated in chairs to perform the exercises, that doesn't mean Bailey goes easy on them.“You move every part of your body. I’m kind of tough on them because I want them to do it right. I want all of us to keep walking,” Bailey tells TODAY.She started the classes during the pandemic lockdown as a way to keep people moving. Everyone loves them so much, she hasn't stopped. Nor does she want to. “You have to keep your body busy and your mind busy… why would you just give up?” she says.Who Is Jean Bailey?elderly woman wearing a grey sweaterBorn in 1921, Bailey grew up during the Great Depression. She's lived through World War II, the Golden Age of Television, and the Cold War. She's seen a man walk on the moon, witnessed the dawn of the technological revolution, and has been around longer than sliced bread.Bailey's been a J.C. Penny model, a wife, a stay-at-home mother of 3 kids, a 4-H leader, a hospital volunteer (for 34 years), and the owner of a floral business.She's also been a widow, and a bereaved parent, losing her daughter at the age of 55 to cancer. Now, she's a grandmother of five and a great-grandmother of four.Bailey has lived a rich, full, and active life. One that she admits hasn't always included working out.“Well, (I spent) most of my life at home with the kids — I didn’t need to do exercises,” she says. What a 102-Year-Old Has to Say About the Secret to Living a Long LifeBailey says she doesn't know what the secret is to living as long as she has. She credits good genes and keeping busy as part of it. It also probably doesn't hurt that she's spent most of her life "trying to eat the right things and do the right things.”Obviously, she's done something right. She lives in the independent living section of her community, does her own cooking and baking for staff, enjoys creating flower arrangements, and walks to her many activities.RELATED: Woman Finds Her Elderly Neighbor Living in a Destroyed House – Decides to Takes Matters Into Her Own HandsAdditionally, she likes reading mystery novels, dealing blackjack, eating dessert, and indulging in the occasional happy hour.And while she believes in keeping her body healthy, mental health is important too.“I think mainly I’m an optimist,” Bailey says. “You can get down like anybody else… and nobody keeps (optimism) 24/7, but I guess I just try to think positive.”It definitely seems to be working. Bailey is an inspiring example that you're never too old (or young) to stay active and healthy. And she is living proof that the old adage is true: age really is JUST a number.

What I Learned About Living The “Impossible” From Watching Yes Theory
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What I Learned About Living The “Impossible” From Watching Yes Theory

I don’t know about you but for me watching YouTube is my favorite way to kill time but also to learn more about the world and well let’s just say I’ve fallen down a few video rabbit holes in my day…It seems like an overwhelming amount of content is clickbait or some kind of reaction video jumping on the trending bandwagon of content to help increase the numbers and carve out an audience and make that YouTube ad money.However here and there you can come across some creators who are truly inspiring. Unlike the rest, they have found a way to make eye catching titles and thumbnails while also having storylines that contain real substance. Real character development and storytelling done from the one of the most genuinely interesting mottos a group can have - seek discomfort.I’m talking about the guys at Yes Theory - although there are definitely some other creators who have done a great job as well - there are honestly very few that seem as wholesome and sincerely inspiring than what the crew of Yes Theory have put forward.If you haven’t seen their channel yet you’re missing out and I suggest you head over there and give it a sub but if you need a bit more convincing here are a few life lessons I have learnt from them and how you can apply them in your own life!P.S. I don’t know them but genuinely just love and study their content! 1-Having a strong sense of “why?” even in the face of adversity is truly rare and empowering in this worldSo many people have the resolve to do something great - but the second they are met with the barriers blocking the entrance to their dreams, they shy away. Perhaps, we point the fingers at others in our lives, like our parents who don’t approve or perhaps we feel like outsiders who don’t have access to the people, places and resources that can make our dreams happen. Yet, if you watch Yes Theory videos you recognize that all these points are only excuses.To watch Ammar (one of the founders of Yes Theory) stay dedicated to his dreams regardless of his family's disapproval of his lifestyle choices makes you realize how powerful a commitment to an idea bigger than yourself can make you.The guys find creative ways to make something happen out of nothing or sneak backstage into sold out events reveals just how amazing this world can be when you decide the “impossible” is worth a try.So whether you decide to face your fears of the cold through breath work with Wim Hof or you dare to quit your day job to pursue your dreams of being an artist, one thing remains clear: having a motto or a strong sense of “why?” behind your mindset is so important.The Yes Theory crew created a way to interrupt the pattern for themselves by slowly but surely leaning into their motto of seeking discomfort. This is what led to the lifestyle they get to enjoy today.It didn’t start with giant leaps of faith but more so with incremental gains that confirmed that every time they leaned in - they would somehow shatter their fears and recognize the thrill that is on the other side. Do this enough and, through the power of positive reinforcement, you begin to paint the world with a whole new shade of possibility as your life’s motto need be more than just a meme on Instagram or a “saying” but more so a lifestyle decision you fully commit to in all facets of your existence.Key takeaway & actionable step: so what about your why? Take a minute to think about what you would hold onto regardless of situation in your life. Can you identify a guiding force in your decision-making process and path forward? This might not seem simple but at the end of the day this is a strong choice you get to make at some point and could require some massaging.2 - On the other side of the fear of rejection is a blue ocean of opportunityI hate to admit how many times I have shied away from an idea that would have been fun or in my highest excitement but was also going to break the barriers of social norms.Surely you can relate? I mean give it a thought? How often are you letting the uncomfortable stand in the way? Perhaps it’s approaching someone you find cute on the dance floor or going to that party where you know nobody.Maybe you have larger goals like getting into Harvard or, in Yes Theory’s case, challenging Will Smith to bungee jump over the grand canyon! But the truth is, we all have dreams or ideas in our minds no matter how big or small that we shelve because of fear.Fear of pushing boundaries that society has set or worse yet the ones in our own mind as we build walls of limitations into our reality daily without always recognizing it.As children we had such vivid imaginations but we grow up to believe less and less in the magic this world has to offer. We grow up to believe that the “anything is possible mindset” is unrealistic.I acknowledge that there is real privilege in the world but I also would ask that you recognize just how wild your life can be if you believed you could push the boundaries of your reality no matter where you start from.Key takeaway & actionable step: can you identify some edges or fears you are holding back from? eWhere are you experiencing this fear and how can you recognize it in the moment and break through?A good tip I often use is asking myself what would the best version of myself do? This can also be substituted with asking a question about what one of your idols or favorite fictional superheroes would do. So whatever is on your impossible list is truly a call to action for you to take on - a list of challenges instead of limitations that you get to fulfill if you’re brave enough to just lean in!3 - Nothing builds bonds and a family like tribe than overcoming obstacles togetherA more subtle component of what the Yes Theory crew have been incredible at demonstrating is the power of going at it together.So many people want to create an extraordinary life without recognizing that life is really a team sport. Those who you choose to surround yourself with make the biggest impact when it comes to pushing through the resistance that inevitably surfaces no matter what stage of the game you're at.There is nothing that can replace the power of having a supportive group of friends to help hold you accountable to your commitments and help you recognize any gaps in integrity you might be overlooking.That meaningful commitment to grow together lead to something that in my mind is significantly less likely to be achieved on your own. It ends up translating into a real community of people leaning into this same palpable force that we are seeing on display.I can honestly say that as an entrepreneur myself I have come up against this edge so many times and it took me a while to fully learn this lesson. But it’s clear to me now that building a culture of community is the most powerful force in the universe.There is nothing that can match the force of love for your fellow brothers and sisters. The fastest way to get ahead is to propel those around you further ahead as your ability to lead is measured in your ability to be a great supporter as well.Many of us are so good at being supporters of others while we struggle to apply that same energy to our own selves. However, by being in a tribe that also encourages and supports you, the power of believing in yourself also spreads.Therefore, I also tip my hat to the many people who are behind the faces we see in inspiring videos. The managers (shoutout to Zack), talent agents, editors, mentors, clothing company managers and so many more, are also a huge part of what makes the YES movement a force of nature.This philosophy is felt in their call to action to get their community involved, the power of their Facebook group and so much more!Key takeaway & actionable Step: who is your tribe?If you had to start from scratch who are the top 5 people you would surround yourself with, other than your current friends and family? What kind of personality would they have? Can you identify specific people or character types?Either way, consider beginning to build relationships with these people and find ways to interact with those who lift you up by treating them like they are your close tribe to begin with!4 - A good story trumps everythingYou see, I’ve wanted to be a YouTube creator for years now and although I’ve created a ton of content over the years, it has for the most part been in service of my business of teaching others. It was much less about the real genuine fun and excitement I want to have in life.I let building an empire stand in the way of sharing my adventure. But, every once in a while, I am led back to this place through the work of another creator on YouTube, as it reminds me of this deepest truth: that platform occupies a unique position when it comes to teach others.If you are willing to tell a great authentic story, regardless of the gear, the gimmicks and even any thumbnail wizardry or title clickbait - there is literally nothing that makes content move more than a powerful story.Yes Theory, like so many creators out there, have mastered the ability to identify stories that many of us can relate to in the various situations they put themselves in. They understand that making a great thumbnail and headline is a powerful way of growing, but so is a dedication to a deeper cause.I genuinely believe that we all get to be the heroes of our own story. If we choose to suspend the belief of what is normal or possible and lean into the discomfort that might come with the “well, either way it will be one hell of a story” lifestyle, we will experience something magical. It's a magic you will never truly feel unless you are willing to walk that edge in your own life.To those who courageously dare to live out their dreams and say YES to their own “impossible” story, I can’t thank you enough for genuinely inspiring yet another creator to take the leap alongside you.Key Takeaway & Actionable Step: What is the story you will write for yourself? How are you making excuses that you’re allowing these excuses to stand in the way of your dreams?Nobody will do it for you - so are you ready to seek discomfort in your own life and trust in what happens next?More inspiring articles:This Woman Went From Weighing 410 lbs to Achieving Her DreamsAfter Surviving Abuse Twice, Rihanna Is Ready To Have Kids With Or Without A ManDetermined Man Overcomes Addiction After Years Of Self-SabotageOctavia Spencer: Her Journey From Overlooked Typecast Actress to Boss Lead

Physical Attraction: The Surprising Truths That Go Beyond Looks
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Physical Attraction: The Surprising Truths That Go Beyond Looks

When we talk about attractionbetween two people we often refer to physical factors, everything that mightlook pleasing to the eye. But being attractive is about more than justappearance.Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. PLATO Aside from the biological perspective that says we’re more likely to choose partners based on features that show they are healthy and able to reproduce (Weeden and Sabini, 2005), we’re constantly influenced by our culture and the beauty standards presented by the media. No wonder we often tend to be shallow and create the perfect partner in our minds solely based on physical characteristics.It’s easy to be bewitched by beauty, but have you ever looked at someone who was ridiculously gorgeous and felt zero attraction towards them?That’s because being attractive also implies other factors that we may consciously perceive or not -- that “je ne sais quoi” that makes someone absolutely irresistible even if they’re not the perfect candidate for a Miss/Mister Universe contest.So let’s see what makes you more attractive despite or aside from the raw facts of your appearance.1. You’re happy and you know itHappiness and enthusiasm can be seen and felt at a first glance, and people are drawn to that. We love the ones who spread their enthusiasm and good mood because it fills us up with excitement as well. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. AUDREY HEPBURN Remember that “move” that women sometimes make when their crush walks by, the one where they laugh out loud to draw their attention? No matter how silly it may seem, it usually works (if and when the laughter is genuine).A smile does wonders for your overall appearance and for the people around you. So if you’re the type of person who always has a smile on their face, you’re probably more attractive than you realize.2. You’re confidentPeople judge us themoment we walk into a room and our brain decides if we are attracted to someonein a matter of seconds.The most beautiful thing you can wear is confidence. BLAKE LIVELY When you stand up straight and look like you know where you’re going, people are going to notice and admire you. It’s all about having an open body language -- certain gestures (an open torso, relaxed hand gestures, etc.) can make you look more interesting and intriguing, thus, more attractive.Your level ofconfidence in who you are is something that people find simply irresistible. 3. You have a good sense of humorWhen two people arelaughing at the same joke it means that they share the same perspective. It’seasier for people to like you if you can make them laugh since you’re clearly moreengaging and able to make them feel more comfortable around you.It appears that having a sense of humor can instantly make you more attractive, especially if you are a guy. The life of the party always gets its share of attention, so if you’re a joy bringer, keep up the good work!Just make sure thatyour jokes are tasteful. While funny to some, dark humor can often be perceivedas unpleasant. 4. You’re a kind personSome personality traits are reflected in our facial expressions and kindness is one of them. Our eyes are windows to our souls, and sometimes we can simply see kindness in someone’s eyes.Elegance is when the inside is as beautiful as the outside. COCO CHANEL Of course, we cannot always say that someone is kind just by looking at their face -- this is more of a gut feeling rather than a scientific fact. However, being a good person can definitely make people perceive you as more attractive.So as it turns out, the real turn on is not just a beautiful face or a well-polished body, but what we emotionally crave from another person -- those qualities that reflect beauty from the inside out.More interesting reasons:6 Surprising Psychological Reasons Someone Might Fall In Love With You5 Brain Hacks to Build Back Confidence If People Haven’t Been Treating You WellShadow Work: Learning From Jealousy And Envy

A Woman Lost: My Journey to Midlife Enlightenment Took Me to a Tropical Island
Self-Development

A Woman Lost: My Journey to Midlife Enlightenment Took Me to a Tropical Island

I am terrified. I’ve run away to a tropical island in Malaysia, far from everyone I love and everyone who loves me. I am lost. I feel empty, apathetic, lonely. I am confused, hurt. Without motivation, without drive, and incredibly not myself. But wholly myself, at the same time-- and that scares me.I was fired a week before Christmas by the tech company I worked for. It was the first job I had ever had outside the arts (if you don’t count all the waitressing and bartending gigs). I had become tired of two decades of the actress/short film producer slog, living paycheck to paycheck, contract to contract. I knew what that life was, but that’s all I knew. I had loved it but would go months without creative work. Life had more to offer, no? Most importantly, for the first time in my life, I felt devoid of passion, no longer believing in my work or my voice. I had lost the eternally optimistic attitude that had always given me the strength to pursue my dreams. My drive was gone. Surely a steady paycheck would be amazing, learning a new job exciting and fulfilling? I was 42 and half-way through my life (if I was lucky) so… what was the second half of my life going to look like? I had finally fallen madly in love, so my future was not mine alone anymore. I couldn’t just wing it, the way I always had. I wanted to build a life with him, maybe buy a house one day, or at the very least have a bit of a nest egg. At 42, I had no money in the bank and $15,000 in credit card debt, so I took the job. I quickly discovered it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. The company didn’t value its employees; we were mis-managed, and I told them so. Too old and tired of being mistreated, I started looking into worker’s rights, got my colleagues on board to negotiate better working conditions-- and got sacked because of it. December found me jobless, being kicked out of my beautiful apartment I loved so much because the landlord wanted to renovate (don’t worry, I got a settlement which went straight to my credit card debt), and I started suffering from vertigo almost every day. Have you ever had vertigo? It’s like living on a boat. My brain was trying constantly to get my body to steady itself. My vision and perspective was all off, like I was on magic mushrooms. Although I know better now, at the time, I attributed it to the early stages of menopause, because the internet told me so. Add to that that I didn’t know what I was doing with my life and you’ve got a recipe for paralyzing fear. I was flailing. I needed a drastic change, to do something so outside my comfort zone that it couldn’t help but shake my shit up. So, I got in touch with an old friend who co-owns an outdoor education camp for kids in Malaysia and within 2 weeks, I had basic wilderness survival and first aid certifications. What was I thinking? I don’t even like kids! How long would I go for? 3 months? 6 months? A year? Was I really going to leave the love of my life behind? I had constant vertigo, for god’s sakes, I couldn’t venture across the planet! But I was determined, I’m a stubborn woman, if ever there was one. I knew that an extended time away would give me the space I needed to reflect on what really matters to me now; what are my core values, what fulfills me, what makes my heart trill? For 20 years, I blindly chased the same dream, even though I had changed so much. There are so many events, so many words, so many thoughts, feelings, hurts and laughter that make up a life, a person. My childhood, losing my mom to cancer as a teen, fighting addiction, being raped-- all the choices I’ve made, good and bad, that have led me here… they all made me Holly. I knew I wasn’t completely lost-- that Holly was still in there somewhere, yelling at me to get on with it, to calm down, breathe and listen to my heart. I just needed to go somewhere quiet where I could actually hear her. Somewhere like a tropical island half way across the world. So, forget fear, I’m going on the adventure of a lifetime…A Woman Lost: My Journey to Midlife Enlightenment chronicles Holly’s journey to where she is now: working at a camp for kids on a tropical island in Malaysia. This seismic shift will force her to confront her core values, priorities, and beliefs about purpose. How lost can you get? How lost can you actually be?

Into the Water: Stepping Past the Edge of Fear
Self-Development

Into the Water: Stepping Past the Edge of Fear

Here at Goalcast we’re constantly striving toward self-improvement and personal fulfillment; while this can be a deeply gratifying practice, like anything else, it comes with its own set of challenges — including overcoming inherent fears we’ve been holding onto. So with that in mind, we thought, why not — on the scariest week of the year — try the self-deemed impossible: face our biggest, smallest or most nagging fear and take the right steps to overcome it. Welcome to #GoalcastFearChallenge. The water is high along the Clark Fork, spilling over into the floodplain. I’ve worn my highest rubber boots, but water trickles over their tops in a few places. When I put my foot down, I never know how far it’s going to keep going—maybe far enough to land me on my ass in a freezing, swollen stream. I stop and sit on a convenient log to upend my boots. Gazing up at that amazing, miraculous sky, I’m captivated by the green of new cottonwood leaves against the blue. The sweet scent of the buds is fading and will be replaced by the smell of new earth smell and the warm perfume of spring shrubs in bloom. Hiking in wide arcs through this river-bottom in spring is one of my favorite things to do. But this year, we’ve had so much snow, still piled up in cornices drooping ominously over the surrounding peaks—followed by months of steady spring rain. The rivers are high, spilling over and flushing out the debris of years past, eventually working their way back to the mother river. The beavers are having a hard time keeping up with the constant influx. They’re cutting trees like crazy, leaving little piles of wood shavings around every turn in the trail. If you come here at night, you can see them hard at work. Finally, I weave between a few wispy cedars, pass by a ruby-colored patch of dogwood, and reach the river. The Clark Fork is a sight to behold, running only a few feet below the top of the bank. My eye catches a swatch of white, the broadly-spread tail of a bald eagle, perched on an angled snag poking out of the river, midstream. The eagle sits quietly, and then begins to turn, hopping awkwardly on the sloping log, exposing every side of its big, brown body to the sun. * Today, a thick layer of fog has smothered the valley. Finally, in late afternoon, the fog lifts off, above the trees, then the dry brown hills, then the mountains beyond. Sun filters in, sending great shafts of low, winter light through the cottonwoods. The winter sun is deceptive—it’s still frigid. Dressed in my purple long-johns and matching snow pants, ankle-length down parka, two hats, and my warmest double-layer mittens, I turn left at the "T" in the trail and climb over a downed cottonwood. The outlet stream is covered with a thin layer of ice littered with cast-off leaves and there is heavy frost on the overhanging red-twig dogwoods. Finally, I reach the mirror-still beaver ponds, inexplicably, still unfrozen. I stop and sit on a silvery log which was once an upright tree that provided shade on a warm August afternoon, but the beavers had other ideas. Long before the river comes into view, I hear it—but I have never heard this sound before. I am the lucky witness to the first day of freeze-up. Hundreds of meter-diameter, spinning plates of ice in a dizzying variety of geometric shapes whirl in the current, peel off, and drift in to the edges of the river bank. I hear the chhhhhskkkkkk sound of ice being shaved as the spinning rafts skim the rim of the river, creating a single furrow of crystals, then passing to the next jutting bank, and the next. At the end of this single short day, when the sun flees and the temperature drops, the rafts of ice will become stuck in their journey through this obstacle course, slowly freezing into oddly shaped polygons, cracks, and fissures. On some very quiet night, the cracks and fissures will be hidden by a thick layer of snow, and the river’s voice will be hushed to a murmur. A sound that maybe only a dog could hear. I will come back, maybe even tomorrow, but the river will be different, changed, quieter, less alive, never the same again. * Spring has returned, the sun has returned, and the sap has returned, flowing up the xylem vessels into the cottonwood branches and down to their tips. I pinch off one sticky, resinous bud, hold it to my nose. It’s intoxicating scent is my favorite in the known world. I’m standing at the river’s edge, staring into the mysterious depths of what looks like a small tributary. To explore the tangled forest on the other side, I have to get across the water, and I don’t know how deep the channel is. I don’t know what the other shore is like—whether I’d struggle getting out of the water, or if I could easily step out onto a rocky shore. In the forest, there are dozens of downed trees from decades of windstorms. What if I tripped and broke a leg? Who would hear me over the rush of the water? Who would look for me in this place with no trails, where the trees and brush are so thick you cannot get an idea of the island’s dimensions? * We place impossible demands on ourselves. I am terribly afraid of heights, so I climbed in the world’s highest mountains. I wasn’t ever sure that I wanted to be a nurse and yet I became one. Over the past twenty-five years, I’ve helped bring in new lives, save lives, and end lives. Sometimes we surprise ourselves. But, take a moment. Look at the evidence. Ask yourself if maybe you have stretched yourself as far as you can. Learn to love and accept yourself in the very moment you are living. As Mary Oliver proposes, “what will you do with your one wild and precious life?” I believe in living the best life I can while gradually learning to give up all control of the outcome. Because unbearably sad things cross your path—a marriage disintegrates, a lover betrays you, a person you care about suffers, or even dies. But, so do miracles—love, and birth, and hope, and this annual season of renewal that we can count on, no matter what. I’ve wanted to explore this area for nearly three years, but I’ve been afraid. I’ve been waiting for a partner to share the experience, someone I can trust to watch my back—but no partner has materialized, despite my bumbling attempts at putting myself out there with confidence, taking chances, and following the Law of Attraction, which I now suspect might be possibly just another form of victim-blaming. Sometimes, the thing we think we need the most is forever elusive, proving, in essence, that we can live without it. Standing at the river’s edge, I realize that I don’t have all that much to fear. The water temperature has come up and it no longer feels like melting ice. I’m wearing Tevas, not rubber boots that could fill with water and pull me down. What’s the worst that could happen? I could lose my footing and fall in. Get wet. Well, I can swim. Once I cross to the other side, I can choose the best spot to haul myself out. If it’s too muddy on the opposite bank, I can drift downstream, scramble out on the gravel bar, and pick my way back up to the island. I can explore the interior of the forest as far as I’m comfortable, and I can stay there as long as I like. Until the sun goes down, even. I step into the water.

Your Stories

Meet 11 People Who Pressed RESET after Watching Lisa Nichols' Powerful Story

Lisa Nichols is a world-renowned motivational speaker and bestselling author of Abundance Now: Amplify Your Life & Achieve Prosperity Today.As a life coach, she has been featured on popular TV shows such as Oprah and The Steve Harvey Show. She also shares writing credits for the widely popular self-help book, The Secret.Today, she is the CEO of a multi-million dollar training and development company, Motivating the Masses; the only publicly-traded motivational company in the US.As a young girl raised in South Central, LA, Lisa was always wary of surrounding gangs and had great difficulty adjusting to a school that was predominantly white. Later in life, as a single mother living on public assistance, she found herself struggling to make ends meet. At the time, she was scraping by with only $12 to her name.Lisa has publically said that it took her a long time to stop wallowing in self-pity and start investing in herself. Whether this meant saving a fraction of her income each month or placing affirmations around her house, she was determined to escape her troubled circumstances.Over the years, Lisa has overcome unfathomable odds as a victim of sexual abuse, and actively rejected her ‘victim’ narrative from defining who she is and what she is capable of.In a powerful Goalcast Original Interview, Lisa shares her struggles with abuse and depression, imparting the best actionable advice on how to make it through even the most troubling times. “I didn’t see that level of sad coming. I think once sad comes you don’t know it’s coming. One little circumstance, another circumstance, another missed moment where you don’t speak your mind, another moment when you don’t say what’s on your heart, another moment when you say “Yes,” and you really wanted to say “No.” Another moment when you just put everyone else in front of you. And here I was in the doctor’s office, clinically depressed.”Throughout her career, Lisa has been honored with countless awards including the Emotional Literacy Award, the Ambassador of Good Will Award, and the Humanitarian Award from South Africa, to name a few. “Here’s what I’ve realized, words are power. Words speak life, word your life as a physical manifestation of the conversation going on in your head and that’s a physical manifestation of the words that are falling across your lips. If you want to create a better life, design a better conversation...If you can feel right now, something stirring in your soul, just that little something, you can’t even describe it, then you’re still in the game. It ain’t over yet, it’s never too late. At 20, at 40, at 55, at 75, at 88, it ain’t ever too late to press reset.”Feeling inspired, and ready to press RESET? You can download Lisa's Checklist: 24 Proven Strategies to Create the Life You Want for FREE.Lisa's story is a remarkable one; one that continues to inspire and empower millions around the world. To date, she has impacted over 2,116,500 teens and supported over 2,500 school dropouts through her foundation, Motivating the Teen Spirit.And now...11 reactions that got people hitting RESET and reinvesting in themselves:Comment in full: "Lisa you just saved my life. You just changed my life. Today I committed to find a way out of my 30 years of marriage. A verbally & financially abusive marriage . Thankyou for this video. You just opened the door for me. Sending you love from Southern California 🙏"Comment in full: "Whew girl I'm glad I stumbled upon you today... cause I'm sitting here in my 30's, loving my family but feeling more alone than any stage in my life thus far. I never thought 30's would be harder than my teens, but friendships & relationship building is harder! I've got more acquaintances than I know what to do with but could I call on them when in need? Doubtful. It's time to hit reset & get back to basics"Comment in full: "I needed to hear this today. I’ve hit rock bottom with a narsacissitic husband who is verbally and emotionally abusive. How did I get here? More importantly how am I going to get out of here? I’m a two time combat war veteran with an autoimmune disease. I’m struggling alone with two kids. I’m going to do the 30 days"Comment in full: "Lisa Nichols....thank you for this. I'm an educated woman who just got out of a severely physically and emotionally abusive relationship one year ago. Your words, about never thinking you would fit that profile or that abuse would happen to you really resonated with me. This is so inspiring and meaningful. Thank you again."Comment in full: "This is BY FAR THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER HEARD !! I have been reading- searching - listening to people/ things for a long time because I have been so miserable for so very long - but THIS STRUCK MY SOUL ALL OF THE WAY THROUGH ! I will listen to this over and over and over!"Comment in full: "in tears because I can relate, I am in tears because you found your way back, In tears because there is a light at the end of the tunnel and i found it too... I am in tears because this post gives hope to others who are in that situation. thank you Lisa Nichols"Comment in full: "Wow Lisa Nichols I just listened to you and I have been trying to leave an abusive marriage for almost 26 years. Currently I have been taking baby steps to get there, but you have given me confirmation that yes I can beat this. I don’t have to become and author, or make millions but just given “PEACE” and I love you dearly for giving me the strength to carry on with my mission#godbless"Comment in full: "Lisa Nichols you will never know how much you just changed my life and it's course it could have taken tonight! I'm going to try for 30 days to do what you did! Thank you for inspiring me... I will hold off on my prescriptions that were just given to me...I believe now I'm strong enough to find me again and make the choices I need to and accept my badges as things that make me, me but don't define me, they are just part of my story and made me stronger!!! Thanks for empowering women! Can't love this enough!! ❤️"Comment in full: "This woman actively committed herself to change, She took actions, she adopted rituals to enhance a new self that she wanted to project and create. Change is so difficult and painful but the pain of staying where you are, is far greater. Bless her"Comment in full: "I am in tears right now. Was in an abusive marriage, two in fact, that left me questioning everything about me. I was feeling unattrative and lost inside. The Law of Attraction brought me here to give me a message that I needed. Lisa Nichols....you just reset my life in a profound way. Thank you for sharing and thank you for commiting to uplifting spirits."Comment in full: "After an emotionally abusive relationship that I left over a year and a half ago, I needed this so much. As I still struggle to feel good enough for anyone. Thank you for the reminder that it doesn't matter, as long as I am good enough for ME and love myself. Thank you for showing how easy it can be as well to fall for one small thing after another until you open your eyes and wonder how you go there."

These 8 Tributes to Lost Dads Following Russell Wilson's Moving Speech Will Bring You to Tears
Family

These 8 Tributes to Lost Dads Following Russell Wilson's Moving Speech Will Bring You to Tears

Named 2012 NFL Rookie of the Year, Russell Wilson is considered an NFL powerhouse.Wilson's career has flourished in recent years, playing quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks. In 2015, his extension with the Seahawks made him the second highest paid NFL player (at the time) with a contract worth $87.6 million.Throughout Wilson’s career, he has always been reminded of what it means to work hard, commit, and chase your dream."The question I asked when life told me no was, “What am I capable of?” I knew I could throw a football and move really well. I knew I had the focus, I knew I had the ability to succeed, so a few days after our first meeting I walked back into my coaches office chest big, feeling good and I said, “Coach, I’m gonna be your starting quarterback. I’m gonna play the National Football League for a long time, I’m gonna win multiple Super Bowls, I’m gonna be a Hall of Fame quarterback. What do you think?”"In his commencement speech to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wilson shares the wisdom he learned from his father, Harrison B. Wilson III, a wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers."I remember playing t-ball as a kid, and not to brag but I was a really good t-ball player. I’m talking about really good. I remember thinking, “You know, I could be something special one day.” My dad thought I might be getting ahead of myself, so he’d set me straight. He’d say, “Son, potential just means you haven’t done it yet.”"Sadly, his father passed away in 2010 from diabetes and was unable to see Wilson play the Super Bowl three years later. However, it is clear that his father's work ethic and positive outlook have been deeply ingrained in how Russell approaches a challenge."Already in my career I’ve seen that lots of people have potential, but not everyone does it. The question isn’t whether you have something to offer to the world. You definitely have something to offer to the world. The question is how, and whether you’ll do it. I’ve learned that the difference isn’t the way people handle themselves when things go well. The moments that really matter are the moments when life tells you no."Here are 8 of the most poignant tributes to dads all over the world after seeing Russell Wilson’s speech:Comment in full: "My father & I parted in much the same manner as this ... I walked into his hospital room, laid my hand on him and he stopped breathing. He had waited for me to show up ... as he always did. Even in death, he was there"Comment in full: "The greatest man I ever knew, my father died April 26, 2001. I was stationed at Fort McPherson, GA. and had been up and down to FL. on numerous false alarms, all of them worth it as I got to see dad. This one was different, my Sis called me and I could tell by her voice it was bad. Told my Colonel I had to go, all he said was go, we'll handle it. I left, hit my house, I have no idea why I grabbed my dress uniform but I did. 6 hours later and no tickets I got to the hospital in Clearwater, FL. I was still in my BDUs and asked the nurse how did it look, she just shook her head. I walked in the room in ICU and the entire family was there, my Sis told me daddy had been waiting for me. He was in a coma, his breathing strained. I bent down, held his hand and told him "daddy, I'm here". His breathing eased, I told him "it's ok, go be with Jesus". 2 minutes later as I held my fathers hand, he went to our Father. Then I knew why I grabbed the dress uniform, I gave the eulogy at his funeral. I miss him ever day. This man, who's mother died when he was 3, his father at 14, went to West Point, fought 2 wars, WWII and Korea, made me who I am today. I still catch myself dialing his old phone number to ask advice even after 16 years. God knows I have seen tragedy, death and destruction in combat but nothing prepares you for the death of a loved one. I am now an orphan, both parents gone, two sons gone. God never gives you more than you can handle, God must think I'm a real bad a$$"Comment in full: "This is true! My dad die when I was in college too and it was ine of the most hardest things in life i had to do was to go on and complete school and make a life without my dad."Comment in full: "this is the question we have to ask ourselves. I remember my dad which you told me is the closest person you had to a dad saying " Either DO or DONT DO..there is no try." which obviously a quote from Yoda but super true. We have the chance to be immortal with our gift of song. Dad says hes kicking our ass in the afterlife if we dont step up and DO."Comment in full: "I remember my father taking his last breath. He had lung cancer and 1 lung was already destroyed. He was in a coma and he was fighting every breath he would inhale. He was a fighter and did not want to give up. I told him "Its okay dad, you will always be a winner. You don't need to fight anymore". A few mins after he passed. Strongest man I know!"Comment in full:"I love Russell Wilson so much more now than I did before lol 💙 this was awesome! My father past in January I never answered his call the day before he killed himself because I didn't wanna deal with him at that moment....I'll never know"Comment in full: "I usually don't comment to people on stuff but please don't beat yourself up over not answering that call. I lost my mom to suicide nearly 18 months ago and on the day that it happened I had planned to call her just to say hi and tell her about my weekend but I got busy with other things and didn't. Next thing I knew I got "the call" from my dad. I too will never know and it sucks. I'm so sorry for your loss"...and the most over-due comment of all...Comment in full: "Shout out to the greatest dads in the world who are still with us or have left us with great lessons ,stories and memories ❤️❤️❤️"Russell Wilson's speech has been viewed over 5 million times with over 2000 people commenting on the Goalcast Facebook post alone.

Visualize It: How a Quadriplegic Climbed His Way Back to Skiing
Motivation

Visualize It: How a Quadriplegic Climbed His Way Back to Skiing

Where was I? Suffering in outpatient rehab at a level 1 trauma center. It was 2007.As my physical therapist watched my labored and assisted ambulation as I held onto the parallel bars for dear life, I remember think how much I wanted to be able to ski again. After all it was our family staple sport, having raised our children on the trails of Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia.I was also raised in a ski family, with four other siblings competing for bed space and butterscotch sauce at the Tamworth Inn in Tamworth, New Hampshire. Skiing was in my blood, and a lifetime of memorable ski experiences brought me solace as I tried to cope with the gravity of this injury. Not even getting caught and buried in an avalanche while helicopter skiing in 1982 had dampened my passion for the sport. I survived and returned two years later to do it again. But this time, perhaps my luck had run out.How was I going to make that dream happen? I didn’t have an immediate answer.Visualize It: How a Quadriplegic Climbed His Way Back to SkiingI was facing significant headwinds. The very bad road cycling accident had damaged my spinal cord in the neck region, resulting in paralysis and all of the associated deficits. I was rendered an incomplete quadriplegic in the wake of the accident, with no clear outcome. Being upright was a good sign -- shuffling my legs with assistance, an even better sign -- but I was enveloped all the while in a cone of uncertainty. There was no reliable prognosis, and far more questions than answers.The bicycle frame had collapsed beneath me, and I had crashed head first into the pavement at 25mph. Only two days later in intensive care did I find out what happened. It would take another couple of years before the “why” was answered. I was riding a defective road bicycle.What next? Time to choose. Surrender, succumb, and let this injury defeat me? Or decide to fight the good fight, and do what it takes for as long as it was going to take?What next? Time to choose.Surrender, succumb, and let this injury defeat me? Or decide to fight the good fight, and do what it takes for as long as it was going to take? The choice for me was obvious. There was just this one problem. Every cell in my body was screaming at me – don’t. The mountain is too high. The climb is too difficult. The path is too risky.Be the moviemaker of your own lifeFight? Yes, I have -- but with a twist. I was going to do something I had never done before.Visualize.I was going to make a movie in my head of what I wanted to achieve. My goal to ski again became the storyboard for how I approached recovery. I began to form pictures in my head of what it would be like to be back on skis again.I became a moviemaker. I imagined skiing again in great detail. I thought of everything I could think of about getting back on skis and taking turns down the slopes of Blackcomb Mountain.I became a moviemaker. I imagined skiing again in great detail. I thought of everything I could think of about getting back on skis and taking turns down the slopes of Blackcomb Mountain.There were so many things to consider. First, how was I going to be able to sit in a car for the five-hour trip to get there? Where would I stay? How would I adjust to living in new surroundings, and manage chronic pain? Getting in to my ski gear, clamping on ski boots, trying to walk to the car in big clunky ski boots, dosing my medications correctly, wearing adult diapers as a precaution for a compromised bladder, clipping in to skis, trying to maintain balance, assuring myself I could make a turn and stop, getting on/off a chairlift, picking the runs I would take, making contingency plans if I needed help, talking through strategies to get me back upright if I fell down, weather conditions, snow quality, temperature, visibility. All of this and more was the raw material for the movie.I became the author, editor, publisher, and scriptwriter.I put all of this together and played it over and over in my head, refining the visualization countless times until it could play by itself without any conscious prompting. The movie became part of my subconscious being.I was the actor, producer and director of my own movie.The long runway to your dreamsFor nearly a decade I played this movie in my head, imagining what the perfect day would be like. I wanted to share it with my family, who had suffered along with me for so long. They were anxious to hear me shout the words, “I feel so alive!”For nearly a decade I played this movie in my head, imagining what the perfect day would be like. I wanted to share it with my family, who had suffered along with me for so long. They were anxious to hear me shout the words, “I feel so alive!”In December of 2016, it happened.The confluence of everything I had scripted in my mind unfolded on December 30. If not for the persistent prodding of my intrepid son, I might not have even gotten out of bed that day. He knew my dream, the day was perfect, and he wasn’t going to let me squander it.The day played out just I had visualized for almost a decade. Everything I had visualized happened. It was totally epic – a day for the ages!!It involved so much patience, but it was oh so worth it.Imagine the unimaginableNot many quadriplegics get back on skis again without accommodation. Visualizing the recovery, making a movie in my head, leveraging the brain's innate ability to adapt and reorganize, even in older ones like mine (at age 60) -- it was the magical elixir that made the seemingly impossible, possible.I submit to you that whatever may be aspirational in your life, that whatever big, audacious goal you want to achieve, can actually happen.How?Become your own moviemaker. Imagine. Visualize. Realize.It’s out there, whatever it may be, waiting for you. If someone who ten years later remains paralyzed and always will be can eventually ski down 5,200 vertical feet without falling, there is no doubt that whatever you seek is just a matinee away.

Why I'll Never Forget How My Mother Cared for Me When I Badly Burned Myself
Family

Why I'll Never Forget How My Mother Cared for Me When I Badly Burned Myself

When does a mother stop being a mother? Is it when you get married? When you have your own kids? It’s clear to me that the answer is “never.” So to celebrate this Mother’s Day, I share a story of how my mother cared for me when I “accidentally” burned my knees, and urge you to celebrate your mother every day of the year.Mother for a LifetimeWe watched as the blazing trail of firecracker powder sizzled its way to the hole filled with a sizable and concentrated amount of even more firecracker powder. In a brilliant flash, the ignited powder sent a cloud of black smoke into the air, disappearing into the atmosphere as we stared wide-eyed in awe and excitement. Our plan worked to perfection. All it took was a few hours of gathering the firecrackers that hadn't gone off the previous night, during our celebrations for the Vietnamese New Year, Tet. It took another 30 minutes of peeling the firecrackers, disposing of the powder into a hole in the ground, and connecting it with a trail of the same element, to bring forth this glorious moment. It was also a recipe for disaster. To be as close to the action as possible, I sat ringside beside the hole with my knees extending right above it. When the smoke cleared and the excitement subsided, I was left with two knees blackened from the second-degree burn.When the smoke cleared and the excitement subsided, I was left with two knees blackened from the second-degree burn.All the kids, myself and my brother included, had no idea what to do. We finally came up with the solution to walk like ninjas to the back of the house and wash the black bits off my knees. I didn’t feel any pain at that point. I was in total shock. Washing the burnt areas turned out to be a bad idea, as the charred skin started sliding off my knees. I started bleeding. The other kids ran home, of course. They didn’t want to be around for what was to come next. At the realization that we have to go see our mother, the pain kicked in. It was horrendous.At the realization that we have to go see our mother, the pain kicked in. It was horrendous.She laid me down on the ground, rushed into the back of the house, came back seconds later and plopped these two giant “mothers” of vinegar she was growing onto my knees. "Mothers" of vinegar -- how fitting. You might wonder, “Why didn’t she rush you to the emergency room?” You have to understand, this was 1993 Vietnam. The vast majority of people in the country struggled to survive. We had neither the convenience nor the money for hospitals or clinics. You did what you had to do with whatever medicinal herbs or traditional methods you could find. The vinegar technique worked! I stopped bleeding and the two masses started eating away at the charred skin. The relief from the pain was tremendous, and I passed out from exhaustion. I woke up the next day with homemade bandages on my knees. I could barely move.What wouldn't a mother do for her child?One of my favorite dishes as a child was this wide-noodle dish with meatloaf, cucumber, basil, and fish sauce. We were poor. This was a luxury we had a few times a year. That day, my mother came into my room and gave me that dish. It was and still is the best thing I’ve eaten my entire life. It must have tasted extra special with her love and my tears mixed into the dish.She took meticulous care of me the next several weeks. To bring me to class, she carried me to my desk like a child. My mother is a small woman. I was 10 at the time but even at that young age, I was close to being her height. For such a fragile woman, her strength was that of ten men. It was as though a second source of power was imbued in her -- I think her love and devotion for us gave her this immense strength, both physically and mentally.For such a fragile woman, her strength was that of ten men. It was as though a second source of power was imbued in her -- I think [it was] her love and devotion for us...I was embarrassed, of course, but I felt nothing but pure love. And she certainly berated me for being so mischievous and causing her grief -- as I deserved. All the same, she tended to my recovery as if she were the one who was hurt. Mothers tend to that.Cherish your mother every day of the yearNow, I’m not a particular fan of Mother’s Day, mainly because I don’t think we should only celebrate our mothers once a year (or even twice a year, if you count birthdays). But if you think about it, our mothers never stop being our mothers, do they? No matter how old you are, you’re still her baby. For a person whose life is so intertwined with and dedicated to yours, appreciation and love need to be expressed throughout the year. So if your mom is around now, go give her a hug and let her know how much you love her. Now and then, remind her of that love, not just on Mother’s Day, but on any regular day of the year. That’s the best gift a mother can ask for. Our mothers, they, above all else, are the true heroes we must celebrate.Do you have a story of your mother you’d like to share? Just comment below and let’s celebrate our mothers together.

My Soul Awoke: How Art Healed Me, and Can Help You Too
Creativity

My Soul Awoke: How Art Healed Me, and Can Help You Too

I remember the day in March 2011 when I was told to pack my bags and get ready to leave the country in a couple of days. It is still chilly and gloomy in Belarus, the country of my origin, in March. Those last days felt charcoal dark despite my long-awaited dream coming true. I was finally moving to a brighter place, in a country with one of the most fertile environments for growing talents in the world – Philadelphia, PA, United States of America. My Soul Awoke: How Art Healed Me, and Can Help You Too It was quite a journey. I was allowed to bring only two bags of luggage. I also had to travel to St. Petersburg, Russia first, on a business trip, and from there to America. It all happened so fast and unexpectedly. There was no time for farewell parties. Literally, in a matter of two days, I filled my bags with the necessities and gave away the rest to my friends and family who showed up to say goodbye. I knew I was doing the right thing, and it gave me strength to cope with everything I was going through at that time. I was also fresh out of a long-term relationship -- divorced, with all papers finalized in February 2011, to be exact. As hard as it seemed looking back, I was following my heart after a long period of having abandoned it. Two days packing, the goodbye hugs and tears, a week in St. Pete coaching others, an 18-hour flight – and finally, I made it to sunny Philadelphia. My first year there was pretty loaded with stress. I worked 50-60-hour weeks to escape facing inner insecurities after my failed marriage. Equally stressful was the fact of being emerged in a totally different culture. The language, food, people, streets, buildings, apartments and all appliances, even the air – all was novel to a recent professional immigrant. I needed to build a new family of friends too, because I had no relatives in the USA. Everyone who knew me would describe me as a cheery, always happy girl. They were saying that I’d fit in well in this society because of my smile. Little did they know how many nights that girl cried herself to sleep. It’s all water under the bridge now, but still uneasy to talk about. These are just broad strokes of those first years of living in the USA. How did I not only survive, but manage to turn my whole life around? How did I resurrect my childlike exuberance and love for life? Where did I find the light that brightens my days and brings me my smile and colorful dreams at night? Art revived me Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one. - Stella Adler I had felt a deep longing to create running through my blood from a very young age. I almost lost it while trying to be like others, and to pursue what was considered “a successful life.” Everything seemed perfect on the surface. But humans are very complicated creatures. We all have souls that need to be fed and exercised, just like our physical bodies. If we don’t care about these sacred parts of ourselves, we get sick. Mental health is not less important than physical health, and the two are interconnected. I was on the edge of depression, although materially satisfied. But I believe that we have an intrinsic ability to heal ourselves. We just need to learn to listen to our inner voice. I had been focused on being logical, responsible and rational for pretty much all of my adult life, until my heart could not stand being neglected anymore. That is when I decided to revive my old passion for the arts. I began painting again. I became a fan of art museums and festivals. Art filled my soul and breathed a new life into it. I felt reborn, and I hope that this childlike curiosity and joy that are with me now will remain forever. So how can art benefit your life, as it did mine? Art helps you reconnect with yourself Painting is a means of self-enlightenment. - John Olsen Creating art is a form of self-expression, and helps the artist reconnect with their inner self. For the observer too, experiencing the art evokes our emotions and touches different parts of our souls and minds. Those who truly appreciate art tend to be more connected to their emotional bodies and therefore more “whole.” Art relieves stress Art is the only way to run away without leaving home. - Twyla Tharp Whether you are creating it or just enjoying some great artwork, it helps you to disconnect from the everyday hustle. It focuses your mind on beauty and helps you forget all your worries. Art boosts creative thinking The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination. - Albert Einstein Art by definition is something that is produced with imagination and creativity. Studies show that art enhances problem-solving skills. And unlike math or physics, there is no one correct answer in art, and there are no rules to creating it. Art therefore encourages creative thinking that leads to unique solutions. This form of divergent, outside-the-box thinking also stimulates the brain to grow new neurons. Art makes you feel good To be an artist is to believe in life. - Henry Moore Art increases the level of the “feel-good” neurotransmitter dopamine. But you don’t have to produce fine art to get the mood boost. When you do anything creative, like a crafty hobby, it gives you a sense of achievement, and that “I did it!” lift you get when you accomplish what you set out to do. Dopamine stimulates the creation of new neurons, which is good for learning and also prevents your brain from aging. Art feels like falling In love Art must be an expression of love or it is nothing. - Marc Chagall It was found that simply the act of viewing art gives pleasure, much like falling in love. Brain scans revealed that looking at works of art trigger a surge of dopamine into the same area of the brain that registers romantic love. Art heals Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life. — Pablo Picasso Millions of people nowadays are dealing with chronic health conditions, among them stress, anxiety and depression. Art is used as a therapy to help patients forget about their illnesses and focus on the positive aspects of life. Art has been found to reduce stress by lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Art increases empathy and tolerance The main thing is to be moved, to love, to hope, to tremble, to live. - Auguste Rodin A study of over 10,000 students found that a one-hour trip to an art museum changed the way they thought and felt. Students who visited a museum not only showed increased critical thinking skills, they also exhibited greater empathy towards how people lived in the past and expressed greater tolerance towards people different than themselves. Art inspires and helps you express yourself better I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way -- things I had no words for. - Georgia O'Keeffe Owning artwork is about more than just decoration; it inspires us to look at the world in a different way. Art can inspire thoughts and questions, engaging the viewer to think and learn about the subject matter. Your favorite art is also an expression of yourself and your individual personality. Putting art in your home or office thus humanizes the space you're in. Art gives it character and warmth, transforming any room into a livable, and more inspiring, environment.