Confidence takes time, but you've gotta have it!

You are not cocky, you are confident! There is a big difference, but I think sometimes people don't always see it that way. I think sometimes if we feel confident in ourselves and our strengths, it can make us feel like we are doing something wrong. Why? I think because when you stand up for what you believe, think, want in life, do what you are good at, and share with the world that you are good at it, others tend to think you are being cocky! This makes me crazy. I've seen way too many times someone who is REALLY good at what they do and knows who they are, give up because of what others think or say! You know the black crab story? Well I think we live and breathe that kind of situation every day!!

I mentioned awhile back about paying attention to where and who you spend your time with. This kind of goes along with your confidence. If you spend your time with someone always trying to bring you down and say hurtful things like "you're cocky" then you have a tendency to hide yourself and not be who you really are. I think its human nature for us to want others to like us and be our friends, even if it means we are only 1/2 way who we really are! But man the world is so missing out on all that you are capable of and that's a shame!

You know that I always link everything to health and fitness LOL! So of course that's where I'm going with all of this. I know with every inch of my being that I was meant to help not only myself, but others do their very best at being healthy, happy, and fit. I thrive on it. I wake up everyday and think "what can I do better today, not only for myself, but for someone else?" Sure I make mistakes and I'm not always good at certain things and I've hit a thousand walls, but I'm CONFIDENT in what I'm doing and what I'm trying to help others do. I also no longer feel shame in taking care of myself and wanting to look good. I don't feel like I should apologize cause I like to dress up and take care of myself. For years I actually felt guilty about this because of the comments I would get from others and think I needed to TONE me down! Whatever! I know this isn't about vanity or being cocky, this is about believing in who I am and what my purpose in life is. I wear my heart on my sleeve and a smile on my face 95% of the time and I no longer feel bad about that. I really am that happy and I really am that confident in who and what I'm going to be and who I am now. And you should be the same way!

We've all got something special, something nobody else has! We all have more strength inside of us then we even realize. But to get to that something special you have to feel GOOD! You have too! When I say that I mean you have to feel good on the inside and on the outside. You've got to be comfortable with who you are in order to really see all that you have to offer this world! That's where health and fitness fit in to all of this! I'm telling you, if don't take care of yourself, then you won't have confidence! The two go hand in hand! I'm confident in saying that if you are not eating right and exercising, then you won't feel as confident about anything! Why? Because no matter what you might say, you don't feel good! You don't! Come on guys when you eat crap all day long, lay around and do nothing, you don't FEEL GOOD! I'm not talking about losing weight here either! Again this isn't a vanity thing or looking awesome in a pair of blue jeans, although that does make you feel good, its about BEING HEALTHY! Its about getting up everyday and doing something that is GOOD for YOU! Every time you do this, you will build up your confidence. EVERY TIME! And the more confidence you have, the more you are gonna wanna take care of yourself, and the more you are gonna wanna do with your LIFE! YOU WILL! If you notice yourself cutting down every person who SEEMS to have more than you or SEEMS to have a swagger you consider cocky, ask yourself this...Could I being feeling this way because I want to feel that confident, I want that damn swagger, I want to be that sure...?? Sometimes when we vent out at someone or hate them, we are actually talking to ourselves. Its not their fault they have more confidence or direction than you do, its YOURS! I'm not trying to sound mean saying that either, I'm just trying to make you realize the importance of taking care of yourself!

So for today I challenge you to do some form of exercise, to eat clean, and to start believing in that person you see in the mirror. Ask yourself what you are good at? What do YOU like? What dreams do you have? And take at least 3 STEPS every day to reach those goals and become that person you want to be. If you aren't growing, then you are NOT going anywhere! We always have to strive to be more than we are. The minute we get comfortable and settle, is when we begin to give up and let ourselves go! Take care of YOU! You are THAT IMPORTANT TO THIS WORLD! Believe it!

My friend Judy reminded me and sent me this WONDERFUL quote! So I thought I'd add it to this blog!

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Marianne Williamson

Beachbody Coach Jen Mangum
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