Purity Integrative Health

James Faust said this of making choices: “In this life, we have to make many choices. Some are very important choices. Some are not. Many of our choices are between good and evil. The choices we make, however, determine to a large extent our happiness or our unhappiness, because we have to live with the consequences of our choices.”

Although skeptics will say that circumstances cannot be dictated - and to some extent we would agree with them - Purity also believes that our choices dictate what becomes of our lives. Even more so, our choices dictate the quality of our everyday lives. Each morning when we wake, we have the ability to make a few choices. We will be pessimistic or optimistic; open to new people or closed off; willing to change and improve, or remain stagnant in our ways. No matter where you are in the world, and no matter what your circumstances look like, you are able to choose how you will carry yourself on any given day.

We know that life is not perfect. Hard times fall and many things are out of our control. This season in life may be the toughest thus far. We do believe, however, that you can choose to have a positive attitude and hold your head high in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. Speak positive words into existence. Walk with the expectation that good things are coming, and believe that your best days lay ahead. Do not let emotions or fear cause you to lose hope. Keep the big picture in mind, and make choices accordingly. 

As Faust boldly stated, “every decision you make does have a consequence, whether good or bad. Your choices bring outcomes and results. Every choice you make will lead you closer to your goals or further away from them.”

It’s the perfect time of year to talk about happiness. There’s joy and laughter swirling in the air around Christmastime. Friendly faces and good cheer fill the lighted streets. We all crave happiness, and in today’s society, it’s almost expected that we will find it or work until we accomplish it.

Happiness is tied up in a few key things: money, friendship, our romantic partners, careers and our families. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with taking delight in these, Purity wants to dive deeper. Although relationships and possessions can bring a sense of security and sometimes even peace, they are not guaranteed. What do individuals experience when relationships fall apart, or when they lose a job? Life does not promise to be perfect – it actually seems to come equipped with many challenges.

Albeit cliche, happiness has to come from within to be of lasting value. When we truly accept ourselves for who we are as human beings, we experience a much greater sense of peace and security, aside from any relationship or possession. This freedom allows you to feel more confident, self-assured, and ultimately more ready to roll with the punches. When we get knocked down, it’s vital to remain positive and remember who you are.

Generating happiness inwardly can also come from living in the present moment. Most people have a past they’d like to relive, or that they’d like to forget. Dwelling on what once was - whether good or bad - causes individuals to remain stagnant in their current lives. When you look behind you, you are no longer looking forward. Where your face is turning, there your feet will also turn. I encourage you to live in the present and make the most of every situation you encounter. Be committed to the future, not to the past. 

Tis the season for decking the halls, chopping down trees and hanging up bright lights. Tis the season for spending time around the fire, and being with the ones you love. Tis the season for something else, too.

Purity has yet to touch on one very important area of our health and well being: beauty. Beauty is described in different ways by different people. Here are some examples before digging in deeper.

In celebrity Gwenyth Paltrow’s eyes, “beauty is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or kick-ass red lipstick.” A woman who transformed the face of the fashion industry, Coco Chanel, relays that “beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.” Similarly, Dita Von Teese states “my beauty icons are women whose images are self-created.” 

These three inspirational women seem to think that beauty is more about being yourself and accepting how you were designed, rather than creating a look or personality based on society’s values. The women that they find the most beautiful and recognizable are the women who try the least, accept their imperfections, as well as embrace the best parts of themselves.

Society pushes people into a certain mold. I encourage you to push back. Of course, this is not to advocate an unhealthy or inactive lifestyle. One still has the responsibility to eat in a healthy manner, and exercise an appropriate amount. 

Most people would agree that a beautiful person is not only physically healthy, but also treats others with kindness and respect, has a positive attitude, a hard work ethic, and enjoys being themselves. Beauty begins on the inside, and radiates outward.

Spreading Holiday Cheer

Have you ever had an off day, and someone whom you don't know does something really nice for you? Perhaps someone buys your coffee or pays for your groceries! Sometimes the little things that others do are not even financially beneficial - sometimes it’s as simple as a smile and a compliment.

These kind gestures have a way of putting us at ease and making us smile. With the holiday upon us, these little surprises become so much more important. Many people are missing family members, or are distant from loved ones. Research says that during this time, more than any other time of the year, people are most lonely and vulnerable. So let’s put this into practice. Be a source of holiday cheer for the people around you. Be a source for those outside of your own circles. They may need it, or, you may need it!

Do not feel limited. If you cannot contribute to someone financially, there are plenty of other options. Give someone a smile or wave, pay someone a compliment, have a friendly conversation with a stranger. Perhaps the next time you’re in line at Target, let someone go ahead of you. Hold the door open for a coworker you’re not fond of. Send an acquaintance a friendly note or e-mail, letting them know you are thinking of them.

Put a sparkle in someone’s day. Acknowledge others and make them feel valuable in any way that you can. Others will notice these acts of kindness and they will appreciate it - even if they don’t say so. It may just make you feel better, too!

If one thing is true about life, it’s that it changes frequently. We can’t control every thing that happens. We can, however, control the choices we make, the challenges we take on, and the standards we set for ourselves.

Setting standards and tackling our challenges spurs on growth in each of us as individuals. For our purposes, this means that you know what you want for your life and decisions and actions are taken accordingly. Write down your big picture goals, and the steps you could take to get there. Do you want a fruitful career, a big family, or awesome friendships? Once you determine what you desire, make choices that bring you closer to those goals. If you have set the standard for yourself, you have something to work toward.

It’s also freeing to have standards. Most people wouldn't think of a standard as freeing. Why? Because setting a standard limits us from the things that are outside of our standards. Sounds restricting, right? Well, not really. Standards actually zero us into what we desire. They free up our time, resources, and energy; we can now put these towards what is beneficial.

If you’re still not convinced that standards can be freeing, let’s look at an example. While it may be “restricting” to stick to a healthy diet, we save money by not buying junk food. We also save our time by not stopping in fast food restaurants for a quick (but unhealthy) snack. We save our energy by not wondering if we should eat that second piece of cake! Making decisions becomes much easier when we have a standard in place. 

Think of it in yet another light. You have set a standard for what you are looking for in a significant other. There are plenty of fish in the sea, but, it is freeing to be limited in your search. When you encounter someone who doesn’t meet those standards, the decision to avoid that potentially harmful relationship becomes easier. Our time, resources and energy are being put towards the right person, or at least the search of that right person. If we don’t close the wrong doors, the right ones won’t open. Setting standards allows us to reach our goals faster. 

Once you have determined what it is you desire, develop a list of the challenges you will face along the way. One way to be prepared for potential challenges is to know what they are, and have an idea of what you can do to face them head on. Feel empowered to make decisions that lead you closer to your goals. Set standards, and then tackle your challenges.

An Attitude of Thankfulness

Thanksgiving is a time to laugh, converse, rest, and EAT. Many of us even take a few minutes to voice exactly what we are thankful for. Some of the common things include family, friends, jobs, homes, good health. What about every other day, though?

At Purity, we believe that being thankful is actually an attitude. Thankfulness happens when we continually make a choice to appreciate both big and small things. We also believe that remaining in a state of thankfulness can actually increase your happiness and therefore, your contentment. Research on being thankful confirms this. Those who state that they are thankful daily for the people and the things they have, show increased levels of happiness and a greater life satisfaction.

How does this happen? Well, being thankful causes us to be more focused on what is going well for us, than what is going wrong. It spurs on an attitude of positivity. We are less likely to complain and dwell on what is lacking. People who are thankful are more consistently joyful and also more prone towards accepting life’s obstacles when they arise. People who show their thanks in their actions and words also generate a greater support system. Think about it - if you continually tell the people in your life how much you love and appreciate them, the more likely they are to spend time with you, and be there when things get tough. Thankfulness works to generate a greater sense of security and community.

Let’s consider something else. It’s not helpful to compare your life with someone who is much worse off or much better off. Everyone has their hindrances. Instead of focusing on how good someone else has it, focus on what good you currently have. As an example, you may not have many physical possessions. Instead, you just have a really good friend who is always there to help. You may not have a high income job, but you may have a great boss who wants to see you succeed. Look for the little things, if the big ones don’t stand out - and then be thankful for them!

Just in time for the holidays! Cranberries make our superfood special list! We want to highlight some major reasons why you should include this sour treat on your family’s table for Thanksgiving and Christmas! One of the main reasons that we love cranberries is because of their anti-inflammatory properties. These little red beads help with diseases such as arthritis, crones’ disease and psoriasis.

Cranberries also work to protect against urinary tract infections and help maintain stomach health by protecting against bacteria that can attach itself on your stomach lining. When this happens, ulcers can begin to form. In turn, cranberries are also awesome for your immune system. They promote proper functioning within. Cranberries also have the tendency to lower blood pressure! It’s good news that we have another ally in lowering blood pressure than just our box of cheerios. They also prevent the clogging of arteries by lower levels of LDL in the blood.

Luckily, cranberries are in season and they are pretty easy to come by. They are a very versatile fruit, so think outside the box with these red berries! You can use them as a garnish, as a main dish, and as a side. My mother used to make amazing cranberry tea and I look forward to it every winter!  

Hopefully this will be an addition to your holiday feast, and at the very least, consider using a bundle of berries for a centerpiece, as a decoration for the holidays.

Superfood Saturday

Of all the fish, salmon is said to be one of the healthiest. Salmon is known for several things, the first being its amazing benefits to the human heart! You may not be a fish lover, but after reading this article, you might just take a trip down to Pike Place.

What has people around the world switching their diets? Salmon is sort of the one-stop-shop for good health because it is packed with Omega 3 fatty acids which aid the body in multiple ways. This essential oil helps in maintaining a healthy cholesterol level, providing strength to various cardiac muscles, and repairing damage which often occurs in your cardio-vascular tissues. Your risk of a heart attack can decrease significantly, being that these fatty acids also reduce blood pressure and keep your body’s arteries and veins from hardening.

Other benefits of Omega 3 include promoting healthy brain function by increasing your ability to remember things and relaxing the brain. In turn, this fatty acid is preventing many diseases such as Parkinsons and Alzheimers. It also protects against the process of aging and can even act as an antidepressant. With the help of both Vitamin D and Selenium, the Omega 3 in salmon has also been known to increase your metabolism and lower blood sugar levels while preventing loss of vision.

Luckily salmon is available year round. I can’t say that this an inexpensive grocery item, but is definitely worth the extra you’ll pay. The benefits in this case outweigh the cost. There is no substitute for good, healthy food that could one day save your life!

While many people enjoy the taste and texture of Salmon, many do not. I recommend trying salmon in a new way. I’ve found that salmon is liked more if accompanied by seasoning and lemon. This adds a kick of flavor and can actually mask the fishiness. Another great option (and double the health intake) is to add spinach and other herbs to your dish. Spinach is a strong flavor and often offsets the taste of salmon. 

If you’re still struggling to get on board, try salmon cooked into a larger dish. Perhaps add salmon to a mix of potatoes and green beans. Adding other foods and mixing can completely transform a food, while still getting all of the benefits.

Most people struggle with issues of self-esteem, and experiencing the appropriate amount. 

How much is too much? Too much self-esteem can lead to entitlement and arrogance. This is something we don’t want. One can begin to think of themselves as better than others, which can actually cause people to withdraw from you.

How much is too little? Low self-esteem can be the beginning of depression, anxiety, and minimal self-worth for many people. It can cause people to withdraw from those around them. These effects can be even more devastating than having too much.

Experience life in such a way that you acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses. Try to pinpoint what you are good at and what makes you wonderful. As human beings, we are blessed with various gifts and talents. Find yours and never count yourself out. 

If you are not in this boat, and you are feeling like you have become too confident in yourself, work on humility. Try helping others more often. Volunteer your time and energy. You are bound to become aware of others’ struggles, and less focused on your own greatness. 

As with many other things in life, there’s no cure all. Confidence is the perfect balance of self-esteem. You can be confident in your abilities and still be humble. A confident person is not cocky, nor are they down on themselves. A confident person is assured of themselves enough to be willing to lift others up. A confident person shares their successes and is not afraid of new opportunities to either succeed or fail. Confidence is a work in progress and can take time to develop.

What Matters, Most

A lot of things buy for our time and attention. Technology in particular eats up much of our energy and efforts. Purity would like to ask the question, what really matters in life? Is it our smartphones and tablets? Does having the best car or the biggest bank account really bring us as much happiness as we perceive it to? At Purity, we believe that true joy is found elsewhere.

You’ve heard that spending time with family is important. While it seems like a nice idea, we want to dig in to why that is a true statement. Research on the subject has actually shown that spending time with family and the ones we love goes a long way in bringing us a deeper sense contentment, more than just surface happiness. Research has even shown that we are more rewarded in doing this than we are in having a good career or a large income. We believe that relationships are what matter the most in life.

The older we get, the more we become aware that life moves quickly. How are you spending your days? Are you chasing money and objects, or are you putting energy into the people around you? Do you surround yourself with people you love? 

Surveys show that the most memorable and valuable times in peoples’ lives are attributed to their families. So, spend time with your family. Spend time with your friends. You will be more fulfilled and experience greater contentment when you make time for people you care for.

Overcoming Fear

I once met a woman who had a tattoo strewn across her eyelids, reading “No Fear.” It became apparent to me that this woman has at least some amount of fear, or there would be no reason for her to relay such a bold statement in such a visible (and might I add, uncomfortable) place. Perhaps she had conquered a bout of fear at one point in her life, therefore rendering her free of all fear. 

Fear is one of the hardest things to overcome. Fear paralyzes people. Talented people with bright futures often remain stagnant in their lives because the fear of failure. At Purity, we believe that fear can be overcome. Like many things in life, this takes focus, perseverance and hard work. Overcoming your fears is a continual process. Fear is not left in the dust overnight, nor is it gone with the wind, once you have conquered it. (Sorry, Ms. Tattoo!) Fear can creep back in your life when circumstances change.

First, be aware of your fear. You can’t conquer a fear if you do not know that it exists. Discover what specifically makes this a fear of yours. Identify what makes you feel this way. Perhaps you have a fear that you will not be able to make friends in a new place, and so you forego moving – even though it could be a positive change. You have now realized that a fear exists and you have identified that you are afraid of not having many social connections. Dig a little deeper! What bothers you about not having connections? Perhaps you have an overwhelming fear of being lonely.

Now that you have identified, what follows is the actions you will take. Taking action is the best way to combat what is happening internally – rather than becoming numb to fear and remaining stagnant! Using the above example, instead of becoming anxious that you will be lonely, try researching a church or recreation group in that new area. Find a local coffee shop and commit to frequenting it. To start, you may just be acquaintances with the Baristas on staff. Before you know it, you will feel more comfortable around these familiar faces, and a friendship could be established. 

Take steps that will allow you to feel more comfortable. Again, by joining a group you may still experience fearful or lonely feelings. This is a process. In this case, building relationships with others does take time, and it cannot be expected to happen overnight. By reaching out and taking action, you are well on your way to developing connections.

In addition to these steps, get into a few habits. Journal, and share your concerns with a close friend. Gain other perspective than just your own.  

Lastly, to overcome fear of any kind, you have to believe in yourself. If you believe in yourself, there is very little you cannot do. From personal experience, I have had several medical issues that prevented me from running, like shin splints. It sounds very silly, but for the longest time, I would not run on the treadmill at the gym because I feared that I would look stupid. The reality was that I was worried that I would have to stop running continually, to ease the pain and pressure on my joints. I did not want others to think that I was completely out of shape. 

One day, I decided that I was going to run, and simply not care about the opinions of any onlookers. Before I knew it, I was running on the treadmill daily. Although simple, this was such a freeing moment. What I had been avoiding for years, was now commonplace. I believed that I was capable of anything.

SuperFood Saturday

This week we will be highlighting one of my favorites: grapefruit! While this is often overlooked in the superfood category, this sour and sweet treat has some amazing benefits for your body! To start, while the Texan Pink grapefruit is the most commonly eaten kind of grapefruit, it is not alone. There are several other kinds as well: Marsh, Thompson and Wheeney. While Marsh has few seeds, Wheeney is equipped with many. Thompson grapefruit has pink-ish yellow fruit inside and is most like the Texan Pink.

Grapefruit are mostly known for their Vitamin C power. Vitamin C is an essential part of a healthy diet and a healthy body because it promotes clear and radiant skin, strong teeth and gums, helps iron to absorb properly into the bloodstream and helps maintain a stable immune system. Apart from these amazing capabilities, grapefruit is also a force against the body’s natural aging process. Its antioxidant powers are substantial compared to many other fruit juices. They are also known for fighting free radicals and having anti-tumor properties. What’s not to like?

I’ve got one that you’ll really love: narigenin, a flavonoid found in grapefruit that works to maintain your blood sugar levels while assisting the liver in burning fat! Instead of storing fat, your body is actually burning what it does not need. As mentioned previously, grapefruit has anti-cancer properties – these are due to this awesome flavonoid which also helps repair DNA cells.

Lastly, a fun fact about grapefruit is its capability to stave off insects. I bet you didn’t know this! In addition to repelling them, if the chemical found in grapefruit called nootkatone is potent enough, it could possibly kill them. 

Grapefruit can be an acquired taste, so we recommend that if you have children, have them acquainted with this fruit at a younger age. While grapefruit is sour, it may be a good idea to add a pinch (only a pinch), of sugar to the top layer once cut open.The sprinkle of sugar on top will aid in children’s fondness of the pink treat. I know this, because my mother did the same for me. Any day with grapefruit for breakfast, was a good day. 

The Role of Forgiveness in Relationships

Forgiveness is incredibly beneficial to your health and well-being, not just mentally and emotionally, but physically as well. 

In today’s culture, people have a distinct view of forgiveness. Forgiveness is typically seen as a sign of weakness. If you forgive someone, you’re letting them walk all over you, or you’re condoning their bad behavior. However, I want to explore the idea that it actually takes a great deal of courage, bravery and strength in order to forgive someone - the complete opposite of weak. Forgiving is not the same as forgetting. Forgiveness is merely the act of allowing negative thoughts and emotions to pass- no longer harboring them, for your own well-being.

Literature has made several observations, the first being that forgiveness is beneficial for both the forgiver and the forgiven. Research has also shown that if forgiveness is done out of obligation or a lack of humility, it is not beneficial to restoring the relationship but actually be more detrimental.

Research suggests that the main goal of forgiveness is to aid individuals in overcoming the powerful emotions of resentment, bitterness, and hatred they often experience towards those who have been either cruel or unfair to them.  Forgiveness restores individual’s psychological health, allowing them to dispense feelings such as bitterness and anger, which allows the individual to re-engage in the relationship that was once broken. Forgiveness provides a greater sense of hope and self esteem.

Still not convinced that forgiveness is for you?

The article “Forgiveness and health: review and reflections on a matter of faith, feelings and physiology”, suggests that forgiveness and hostility are known for having an inverse relationship with one another. So, as one increases, the other decreases. Hostility is a known cause of major diseases such as coronary heart disease. Individuals that develop high levels of hostility often display more physiological reactions to offenses and conflicts occurring within relationships. People with such high levels of hostility experience exaggerated flight or fight responses. Coronary heart disease specifically shows signs of the emotional stress hormone that is released in such exaggerated reactions. When an individual continually rests in a state of unforgiveness, their physical health will begin to deteriorate and bodies are more susceptible to disease.

These same researchers also have come to understand that forgiveness has the potential to decrease negative thinking and increase positive thinking. This often lessens one’s sense of hopelessness. Forgiveness also produces higher levels of self-esteem and a feeling that the person who has been offended is now emotionally and socially supported.

The process of forgiveness allows the offended to be less closed off with to around them and more willing to allow others in, including the one who caused the offense.

By Tate Calvo

Sources:

Enright, R. D., & Fitzgibbons, R. P. (2015). Introduction: Why learn about forgiveness and forgiveness therapy?. In Forgiveness therapy: An empirical guide for resolving anger and restoring hope (pp. 3-11)

We all have jobs or responsibilities. We get very busy sometimes. Sleep is often the last thing on our lists. Why is sleep so important, though? In general, your quality of life is going to improve by getting enough sleep daily. The average amount of sleep that is considered healthy is eight hours per night.

Sleep is important because it helps your heart stay healthy and keeps your brain functioning properly. Sleeping can also be linked to improvement in learning. In relation to this, people that have trouble sleeping or don’t get enough sleep, often have trouble making solid decisions and solving problems. When you’re lacking, you are more likely to suffer in your overall performance and you may not be as safe or cautious as usual.

In today’s society more than ever, it’s extremely difficult to get the rest we need.Our minds get busy with whatever is going on around us. Technology certainly doesn’t help. It’s often hard to concentrate on sleeping and letting go of those ideas, worries, and anxieties. 

Here are some simple tricks to get a better night's rest and make it easier for you to start counting sheep.

1. Avoid alcohol and eating a large amount before bed. Try to eat a meal around 6 or 7pm, rather than around 8 or 9pm. Alcohol gives you the false impression that you are becoming tired and falling asleep. Although you may in fact fall asleep faster after drinking, you will not stay asleep for very long. Alcohol in your bloodstream will actually wake you up after being asleep for a short time. You will be more restless and have spurts of sleep, rather than be able to stay soundly asleep.

2. Choose an environment that welcomes sleep. Personally, I find it hard to go to sleep in a room that is a chaotic mess. If the room you are in does not facilitate sleep, you are going to have a difficult time feeling at peace and comfortable. Make sure your pillows and mattress are also conducive to a good night's rest. 

3. Before actually going to sleep, for about an hour prior, your mind and body need to be relaxed and winding down. You cannot blast loud music or watch a violent TV show beforehand if you expect to fall asleep easily. Much like other things in life - a job interview, taking an exam- you should prepare. If you are amped up and not relaxed, you invite your mind to race with ideas, thoughts, and emotions. Try listening to calming music, turning down the TV, foregoing the juicy gossip or an agitated phone conversation. Sip some chamomile tea an hour before the sheets, and possibly even journal a few thoughts from the day. You will automatically become more relaxed and prepared for a steady night of sleep.

One & Only

A little something that I have learned in the past few months is to accept yourself for who you are. You could be a million other people in this world, but you are not. You are the one and only, you. Accentuate the best parts of yourself. Know what makes you insecure and roll with it (or tackle it!). Don’t be afraid to admit that you have flaws, whether physically or characteristically. We are human, completely fallible. This is okay. 

We all have aspects of ourselves that we would like to change or improve. Accept who you are at a core level. Why do you like this music instead of that? Why is it that you prefer being indoors reading a book, than outdoors hiking? Although I always recommend expanding your horizons and trying new things, there is something to be said of accepting that you are designed a certain way on purpose. It’s okay to be who you are and like the things you like. You never have to do anything or like anything simply because another person feels like you should. The more you understand yourself - your passions, your desires, your dislikes - the more contentment will come.

From personal experience, the less I try to finagle who I am, and the more I accept myself, the more self-assured and confident I become.

It’s something we all need. It’s literally what gets us up out of bed every morning and on our feet. Motivation is the desire to do something or be something. It can be very difficult to stay motivated or derive motivation. Where does motivation come from? It can come from any place, any person, any idea, any activity, or even any object. Motivation quite literally determines what we will do at any moment on any given day. Think about it: you wake up and you have a choice whether to get up, or to stay in bed. Every action is determined by our level of motivation. 

Research is very broad in this area but is conclusive that you can influence how motivated you are. However, there is not a formula for how to become motivated. But, some things do exist which can help you towards it!

Get out a notebook, write down some of your goals and actions. This isn’t meant to be difficult. Maybe you have been struggling with getting involved with your team at work. You might jot down something simple: “Next month attend a team meeting, and interact with each co-worker present. Contribute at least two ideas to the discussion”. It’s no longer just a mental note. You have now made it a plan - however tentative - to be motivated in this area! 

With that said, you also must be realistic. Stating your goals and upcoming actions is beneficial but realize that reaching these goals may require hard work, preparation and sacrifice. 

Next, share the areas that you would like to be more motivated in. Speaking your goals aloud and sharing them causes you to be more self-aware. You are also speaking what you desire into existence. By sharing, you invite that person to hold you accountable and be a support that you did not have before.

Another simple method is to visualize what you will experience and feel when you have become motivated in an area. What will it feel like to be motivated in your job? Maybe you can picture yourself walking into the office with a smile on your face and a fresh cup of coffee, rather than dreading every morning! Perhaps you can visualize how it will feel when you have lost 10 pounds and you are able to wear that new dress! Visualizations are terrific motivators. Again, know that hard work and sacrifice will be involved.

Simple things as well, can cause us to be more motivated. One of these things is music! Music is either a motivator or a depressor. It can cause us to feel extremely happy and upbeat, or dejected and withdrawn. So, choose tunes that will amp you up and put you in a productive mood. Avoid music that will cause you to focus on negative situations or reasons why things have not worked out in the past. Also, try to surround yourself with people who give you energy and life! It’s near impossible to become motivated if we surround ourselves with people who are negative in nature and not motivated themselves. We are like the company we keep, so choose wisely!

You do have the power to become motivated. You must set yourself up with the right tools. Write things down, tell a friend, visualize how you will feel once you have become motivated, and surround yourself with motivated, uplifting individuals. Imagine what good opportunities can come if you were to find this motivation.