This video has just hit the spot within my life recently. I know that at times I can tend to let the set-backs come in the way of my dreams, but at the end of the day I know that what I’m working towards is far beyond me. There are some great points that Will Smith speaks on in this video; points that I would like to touch on in my personal life and maybe you can relate..
#1) Loving Living..
How many of us have let life itself get in the way of actually loving LIFE? I know I have plenty of times. Just think about it, if you weren’t living at this very moment what would you be missing out on?? I know that life tends to get difficult at times, but I also know and have experienced that those bittersweet moments that we tend to go through so often become some of thee greatest lessons we can ever learn and overcome. Life is much more than failures and set-backs and that’s something that I personally have had to learn throughout the years. Never let my set-backs define who I am and what I can accomplish in this lifetime God has chosen to give me. You have got to really love living!
#2)Greatness exists in all of us
Greatness, although at times might seem impossible when comparing yourself to the greats of the past; is not illusive. Greatness is intact tangible, we all have the power to become great. The only thing setting us back is whether or not we believe that we were intact born to become something “great” now let’s get this straight; greatness isn’t measured by monetary value. In my opinion, greatness is measured by the impact you leave on those around you whether it be grand or minute. The greatness you leave behind when you are no longer around, whether it be long or short term, is still felt and tangible. That is when you know and understand the measure of your greatness. I measure greatness by the amount of difference you can make in this world or those around you. If you can change the life of 1 person around you, then in my eyes, you are great! This is something that is in all of us, all it takes is for us to simply believe in ourselves.
#4)Where you WERE doesn’t matter
Now, let’s say this one more time for the people in the back: WHERE YOU WERE DOESN’T MATTER!! You know why? Because that is not where you’re going to end up. Now, let’s look at this in a more complex way. If you came from “nothing” and changed your mindset that where you came from doesn’t define who you will become or where you’ll end up in your lifetime, then you’re half-way there. Honestly, it all begins within ourselves. You cannot convince people to believe in you or your dream if you don’t believe in yourself and that all starts with believing that you are much better than where you came from. Now, not in any way am I saying that we shouldn’t be thankful for all that our parents/family/friends did for us growing up but we cannot let our adversity ultimately define us.
#5) There is really no easy way to success
Now let’s say this a couple of times, there is NO easy way to success. Becoming a successful human being requires ALOT of work, time and dedication. Whether it be a small minute goal like saving $1,000 you’ve got to be 100% dedicated to this goal and not slip. EVER. Will Smith said it best himself, the only difference between you and I is I will die on this treadmill. You might be faster, better, smarter than me but 2 things: you will get off before I do or I will die on this treadmill. Now, apply this to your life.. How many of us really chase what we’re going after this hard? I will say a lot of us don’t.
#6) Baby steps..
have you ever had a project or goal so big that you at times doubted yourself? Now let’s think of extra big projects like the great wall of China, those workers laid a single brick down every single day. Never letting the thought of “what if” or thinking that this project will never be done come across their mind because at the end of the day, every single brick laid got them closer to the end. Present day, the great wall of China stands as one of the 7 wonders of the world. How great would that be for us to be able to accomplish something that will someday go down as history?? A lot of us don’t think that this is possible, simply because we set boundaries within ourselves but little do we know that our mind is a lot more powerful and capable than we give it credit for. We just simply have to be patient and keep chasing our dreams.
#7) MAKE A DIFFERENCE
this is possibly the one that hits home the most, I want to make this world I’m living in different simply because I was here. Every single person, group, friend, class, relationship etc I’m a part of will be better because I was here. This is simply what I was put on this Earth to do. I was put on this Earth to make a change.
#9) Simply believe in yourself
Now i know that at times we might loose sight of our goals and we might give up due to circumstances that life throws at us but one thing is for certain: if you do not believe in yourself, no one else will. It’s as simple as that. I know its hard living in an era like we do now because all of the “greats” have already done it but put yourself in their shoes, if they didn’t believe that they could achieve whichever goal it was they set themselves out for, they would have never accomplished their goals. If they would have believed that their success could never amount to the success of the people that came before them. If they stopped at that they would never get what was coming for them if they gave up.
He really spoke on so many important points that in my opinion we all must definitely hold on to and apply to apply to our daily lives. Going into each point would make this blog post 15 pages long but I definitely would watch this video and apply this wherever you see fit. If we really want to become successful we have to work 200% towards our goals and never let up, no matter how hard the times before you may seem or how impossible or intangible your dreams may seem you’ve got to be your #1 supporter and be your #1 cheerleader. Make sure you never loose sight of what you’re trying to achieve, because at the end of the day YOU worked extra hard to see your friends & family living the life, If you give up they won’t live that life.
Personally, I have recently lost sight of what I’m trying to achieve and what my life is about but after refreshing my mind and watching this video again I saw that I am here for a reason. I am here to make a difference in everyone’s life everyday. Which is why everyday I try to make someone smile or laugh because at the end of the day I know they will go home and remember what I said or did that made them chuckle. I definitely have had a lot of set-backs which at times I have definitely let get the best of me but after re-watching this I have definitely changed the way I see things. I live my life to make a difference in this world and that’s what I will work towards until I achieve my ultimate goal and even after that until the day I die. I will work everyday to make everyone I encounter smile in some kind of way, I will make them remember me in some kind of way. Because i truly believe this is what I was put on this world for. I was put here to make you smile. So smile for me (:
(Source: inspiration)
- 1 month ago
- 4
something about you..
When I’ve been at my lowest, you were there.
Giving me hope and being my breath of fresh air.
When I’ve felt like the world was against me,
You made me believe in the person I’m set out to be.
When I’ve felt alone,
I felt all the company I needed on the other end of that phone.
When I doubted my own power,
You’d say the right words, those words that took me higher.
When I was having one of my many days,
You showed me how much you love me in so many ways.
YOU.
The thought of a life without you,
Strips my soul of it’s most essential muse.
YOU helped me get through the toughest of times,
Reminding me that I can do it all with you by my side.
YOU are my sanity,
Suddenly ridding this world of all inhumanity.
YOU bring me security,
With you, love is pure and bountiful.
YOU were patient with me,
Always loving me unconditionally.
YOU stuck around,
I’m thankful for this love we’ve found.
YOU are the reason,
The reason I wake up every morning.
YOU
Never would I have imagined finding someone as perfect as YOU.
You have unlocked what’s beautiful in this world. YOU.
With YOU, I feel untouchable
YOU are the wind beneath my wings.
YOU; my foundation, my rock.
Endless late night conversations,
So comforting and sweet.
Showing me how real love can really be.
Countless late nights,
Followed by sensual early mornings.
Every look, every kiss, every touch, every thought
Sets my spirit on fire.
Dreaming of someone as special and perfect as YOU is impossible.
The love you provide is something sculpted by God himself.
Every hour, every minute, every day, every year, every mile, every dollar spent is worth it.
Worth being able to lay next to you,
Feeling your heartbeat in tune with mine.
Touching your perfect skin,
Waking up to your kisses, feeling your love.
My life, my love no other is above.
You are the one
The only
Everything
YOU.
I celebrate your life 3/3/83. Without it I wouldn’t have mine.
I adore you.
- 3 months ago
2011 has taught me..
Its nearing the end of the year and I have to say, 2011 was definitely eventful.
2011 has taught me many things, as I get older and am forced to mature I see that life is as beautiful as you make it. I know that we all have our own personal demons, problems, struggles and whatnot but when looking at the bigger picture; having life is beautiful.
Here’s a couple of things 2011 has taught me:
1) Don’t sweat the small stuff:
- I have learned not to sweat the small stuff; for example. I used to worry about things like medical bills. Yes, being that I have an illness my medical debt is ridiculous but, I have learned that stressing out about it will do nothing but make that debt grow even more. My favorite quote when faced with a problem I can’t do anything about is “I’ll worry about it tomorrow” and if I can’t do it tomorrow then I’ll say it again. Stressing about something I have no control over is pointless. It’s like carrying around an umbrella every single day waiting for the rain. Stress is dangerous and deadly. Sometimes its necessary to say “fuck it” and move on. 2011 has taught me that stress is stupid and unecessary.
2) Family is everything:
- Now that I live out of state, I am away from my family a lot. I don’t get to talk to my loved ones as much as I would like to simply because life gets in the way. I used to take my family for granted, always thought they were there because they had to, it was like mandatory. I have seen cases where family is MIA for some people and they have to struggle to make it on their own and that’s not easy. Unfortunatley, it took something like being out on my own without my family to understand this. I have also witnessed a trumendous amount of love and support from my now 2nd family here in Ohio whom have opened their doors for me. I thank God everyday for this addition to my life cuz I really don’t know where I’d be without both of my families. Thankfully, I have 2 families that love and supports me 100% I think its pretty safe to say I have the best family on planet Earth, I dare you to say otherwise(; 2011 has taught me that we must cherish and love our family while we still have them here.
3) Hard work pays off:
- I have been working really hard to advance my career and my life. I also have witnessed someone get up every single day and work day and night relentlessly on their dream. In the short time we’ve been living together I have seen such a huge advancement and progress in both our dreams. This person has completely inspired me to work so much harder because I’m just simply trying to keep up with him(; I have watched this company grow and flourish in such a short amount of time and we’ve been working together since the begining, but now that I am here I witness it ever single day and its so inspiring. No problem has stopped him, he doesn’t let any type of adversity deeter his dreams. Now, I am guilty of letting little things keep me from giving 100% to something, I also let adversities come in between me and my dreams; I made the vow to stop doing that. Now, I find myself really sick and tired sometimes, not being able to get up for school but I do and when I’m at school I am always happy I made it that day. I also grew up witnessing my mother work super hard to take care of her 3 kids on her own. Now I know that she still is working her ass off but one day she will see that her hard work didn’t go unoticed. She worked so hard for me, despite my fuck ups I owe her success. Everyday is an opportunity for advancement, whether its at your job, school, personal life, family or even on your self. 2011 has taught me that the only person keeping me from success is myself. Also, the harder I work, the more successful I will become.
4) Life is delicious:
- I have lost a lot of people this past year, all due to different things but the ones that affected me the most would have to be the people I’ve lost due to Lupus. Why? Because I can relate to these people. I suffer from the same illness as they do, I thank God my situation isn’t as bad (actually not bad at all) as theirs but we are all on the same boat; some with more luggage than others.(; I have learned that you cannot take life for granted. EVER. You might be here one day and gone the other, and when you get up there and he asks you: what have you done with your life? Will you say, I sat there and took it for granted or will you say I squeezed every ounce of happiness I could out of that beautiful life you’ve given me! At times yes, I have done stupid things that has put my life in danger but one thing I can say is I have lived life to the fullest up to now. I have had lots of fun, love, failure, success, laughs and tears. Yes, it is unfortunate that I have to deal with an illness but I absolutely love my life. Period. We all have something that we deal with everyday that might want to keep us from loving life and living it. If you do, get rid of it and if you can’t do that then make it of less importance cuz life is short and much too precious to waste. 2011 has taught me to take life by the horns and ride til the wheels fall off.
5) I have some of the most amazing friends ever:
- Period. Without question. 2011 has taught me that my friends are the shit.
6) Love, when its real, is amazing:
- Yes, corny I know but true. This year is the year I have learned the most about love. I won’t get too much into my personal life but I can say that love has the power to break you when its not real and genuine but it also has the power to lift you up and make you so much better. Of course, you have to let love in. You’ve got to give people the chance to love you. This is something I had a hard time learning but thankfully, with the most patient and beautiful person I have learned this and I have let it happen. 2011 has taught me that Love is real.
These are just a few things that 2011 has taught me, if I listed them all I’d be going on forever and ever. This year has been a year of teaching and growth. I am in a place in my life now, though its difficult, where I know I’ll be making great advances in my personal life as well as my professional life. I am thankful for all the people in my life that continue to support me through these times. I pray that God blesses you and that you find a reason to smile every single day. We must always remember that life is short, we must squeeze as much beauty out of it while we can. We must also try to make someone’s day every single day. Whether you gift a smile or a million dollars. Work everyday to make someone happy. You never know, a smile can make a huge difference that day. If you’re still here, its for a reason and purpose. Its up to us to find that purpose and put it to work.
What has 2011 taught you?
Ciao bella<3
- 6 months ago
- 5
Strength
“The bravest thing I ever did was continuing my life when I wanted to die -@ffaaiizzuu”
This tweet really inspired me today, this was one of the first things I read this morning after a day of excruciating pain and agony. Yesterday, I kept questioning my existence. It was the Saturday night of a college student and I was in bed. I was so completely miserable last night, I really sat in bed watching Dr 90210, dreaming about what my life will be like as a surgeon (if I ever make it). Sometimes when I’m feeling really sick and down I hate the fact that I have to live with this illness and it’s friends every single day, yes some days are worse than others but, it can be such a downer when you’re really trying to just have fun.
Now this isn’t a pity party, don’t get me wrong. I know that my life is a lot easier than others out there so I can’t complain but coming from a personal standpoint, sometimes it just seems so unfair. I’m only twenty-something years old, this shouldn’t be happening. But it is and I’ll take it, with a smile on my face and keep trucking! Sometimes I don’t feel like waking up in the morning, I feel as though life isn’t worth living somedays but I find inspiration in the people around me, the people that love me so much. I find the strength and will to wake up on those days in those people that are so supportive of me, I live my days for the people that love and inspire me. I get up and fight every single day for them. Especially for this one person that has my heart.
- 6 months ago
what happens to a dream deferred?
What happens to a dream deferred?
By: Langston Hughes
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
this has to be one of my most favorite poems of all time. This poem really makes me think about life, about my life. So, what happens to a dream deferred?
A few years ago a friend of mine showed me our 5th grade yearbook, scary I know! In this yearbook, we had to write down what we wanted to be when we ‘grew up.’ my response made me cringe, this response took a piece of my pride and soul when I read it. My 5th grade mind wanted to work at McDonald’s. I honestly thought working at McDonald’s would get me far in life and pay the bills. Pathetic. I think I said I wanted to work at McDonald’s cuz I loved their food so I thought working there would get me all the free food in the world and I’d be getting paid?! SCORE! Lol what ever happened to that dream? As childish as it might seem? (ooooh did I just rhyme?!) If you know me you know that I’m a dreamer, I want to do anything and everything under the sun. I’d be a doctor-anthropologist-makeup artist-stripper-hairstylist-cop-FBI agent-president-CEO-teacher-social worker all in one.
So what happens to these dreams once they aren’t being pursued? Do they move into some long lost dream dumpster? Do these dreams just end up lost or somewhere in our subconscious mind are we still thinking and dreaming these dreams? Do we dig up these deferred dreams and go about pursuing them?
What happens if we decide to pursue these dreams? Do we pursue them with the same drive and charisma we originally had.
If I gave up on my lifelong dream of becoming a plastic surgeon to pursue my career at McDonald’s, what would become of me?
In my opinion, dreams deferred become the passion, fire and drive to be all you can be. At least that’s what’s happened to my deferred dreams, they’ve fueled my fire.
So, what happens to your dreams deferred?
- 7 months ago
Whats it mean to be a woman?
I was just asked this in my Language and identity class and was completely blown away by the responses the class gave. Some of my female classmates gave very one-dimensional answers:
- Being a woman means having ass, titties and vaginas.
- Being a woman means having babies
- Being a woman means cooking and cleaning
- Being a woman means “catering” to the man’s every need
- Being a woman means heels, makeup, dresses and hair
You can say I’m somewhat of a feminist… lightweight feminist.
I just like to empower women cuz Lord knows, we’ve got to do better. I see lots of my friends forget what being a woman means and how empowering it is. I see them allow these men to walk all over them because they’ve forgotten how beautiful and powerful they really are.
I am a woman, and being a woman means power.
What does being a woman mean to you?
<3
- 8 months ago
- 1
New Life, New outlook.
I have been really missing my family & friends lately especially the last couple of days. I haven’t been feeling too good, and it just really missed what my family would do for me during times like these. I miss my friends, our adventures and crazy nights<3
I’ve been away from home for almost 2 months now, I must say these months have been the most bittersweet ever. I’ve been adjusting to my new life, home, surroundings and my new school. I’ve never left my house and the first time I leave I moved across the country! lol I know it sounds like nothing major but to me its huge.
On another hand, I’m enjoying my new school and new life. I’m excited for everything that is to come in the near future. I’d like to thank my family for being so supportive and still showing me love from miles and miles away. I’d also like to thank my friends for showing me even more support and for making me super jealous when they send me pictures of their super cool weekends!<3 BITCHES! I shall see you all soon(:
Lastly, I’d like to thank the dear sweet man that takes care of me every single day. He’s made this transition so much easier and enjoyable. He’s so supportive, no matter how crazy my ideas are. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner, friend, lover, soulmate than him. His family has been so accommodating and helpful it’s amazing! I love you mister<3
I know that this is only temporary and I will see my friends and family soon and when and if I do go back home it’ll be with a diploma!
Til the next time
Ciao Bella<3
- 8 months ago
- 1
No girl should forget: that she doesn’t need anyone who doesn’t have her back -Marilyn Monroe
-J’Adore
- 1 year ago
- 4
The heart is a precious vessel that is solely responsible for your existence. Every beat pumps precious life into our veins, if it stops we stop. When looking at our heart and all its responsibilities, all the feelings it encloses we see that it is priceless.
If our heart is so precious, why are we so quick to give pieces of away?! I used to be someone who gave every person who walked into my life a piece of my heart. I’d often blindly put this precious vessel in their hands and pray they’d return it in the same condition they received it in. Only to come to the horrible reality that they didn’t cherish it as much as I did, didn’t understand the beauty of this gift that was given to them. In my twenty-something years on this Earth I’ve blindly given my heart away to people often wishing they’d handle it with care but that was never the case. Over the years my heart has been beaten on, torn, broken, stomped on… often leaving me with an incomplete heart to mend. Forcing me to change the way I change the way I handle it.
Obviously, I’m a lover. I love my (close) friends and family with every cell in my body. Which is why it hurts so bad when I loose someone.
This weekend I was told by a very close friend, one which I’ve known essentially my whole life that being my friend is too stressful. My illness was too stressful. Watching me be sick and die was too stressful. Basically, being my friend was too stressful.
Now this isn’t the first time I’ve been told this, a lot of my “friends” have walked out since my diagnosis due to the stress my illness brings THEM. Now I hadn’t talked to this person in months and the one time she writes to me it’s to tell me how much stress I’m causing her… I’m sorry but how does MY illness bring you stress?! How is it that watching me die is stressful for you?! I NEVER SEE YOU!
I would like to know how my illness is more stressful to other people than it is to my own self?! For some reason this really broke my heart because I already feel like a burden and having someone tell me that didn’t make it any better. I cried. It hurt.
Now I know I can’t give pieces of myself away anymore. I must be careful of who I give my heart to. So far the person that holds my heart has cherished it restoring my faith in mankind.
This was just me venting.. Thanks for listening!
Ciao Bella! <3
- 1 year ago
- 1
http://donate.lupus.org/goto/jvasquez
I am doing the Lupus Walk LA on September 25th! I’m trying to make the effort to raise as much money as possible so if you’d like to support my campaign you can do so by clicking on the link and donating directly to the LFA through my website using a credit card. It is simple, painfree and is helping a good cause!
Thanks for supporting a good cause!
Ciao Bella <3
- 1 year ago
