Category Archives: Goals

Happy Two Year Blog Anniversary! – Welcome New Subscribers & Some Blog Updates for the Upcoming Year

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Exactly two years ago, I created this blog makeupthelifeyoulove.com. I can’t believe that I have been blogging for the past couple years as the time feels as though it goes by faster and faster. I noticed that I recently have picked up some new subscribers over the past couple of months in which I want to extend a warm welcome! 🙂 If there is ever a topic or subject matter that you would like me to write about, please do not hesitate to send them my way as I am always thinking of valuable content for my readers and if there is something that is of interest to you, there is a good chance that other readers will also find it interesting.

My writing schedule has been twice a week but I decided that I will reduce it to once a week as we are moving into the summer months as I would like to enjoy more of my free time off to catch up with friends/family and hopefully get back into travel again even if that means local travel. In addition, I actually want to begin a new writing project. It has always been on my bucket list to write a book and getting into the practice of blogging has motivated me to take it a step further. I wanted to get into the habit of writing a blog as a hobby first before even considering taking on writing a book. So the extra time during the week that I usually use to blog, I want to put some of that time towards writing a book that will be a work in progress. I might not work on it consistently each day but at the very least, I want to get started and invest my energy into something that could add even more spiritual meaning into people’s lives. I appreciate all your support and loyalty thus far and I will keep you posted on my progress as time goes on. In the meantime, I will still be here to blog! 😉

Life is Like a Chess Game – What Is Your Next Move?

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I have always enjoyed playing the game chess because in order to be a good player, you need to be able to think a few steps ahead when you are moving the pieces in hopes to checkmate the other opponent’s king by the very end. I also like to play chess because I like games that involve strategy and that are mentally challenging. Does playing a game of chess apply to life? In my opinion, it very much does so!

When it comes to life, an important question that you should always be asking yourself is, “what is your next move?” This allows for you to think about your future and to plan the action steps that are needed to get to your desired outcome. If you choose to live day by day without looking at the bigger picture, you might end up staying stagnant in life for quite some time and you also run the risk of limiting your full potential. It is for this reason that you should always be asking what your next move is whether it be within your professional or personal life. It matters to focus on the direction that you want to go and to take the steps necessary to keep you on the right track. Whether it is a game of chess or your life, every move you make matters so think thoroughly and with a purpose!

Good Health Is More Than Just Diet and Exercise

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When people think about being healthy, I would say that the first thing that comes to mind would most likely be diet and/or exercise. While I would absolutely agree that both are contributing factors to living a healthy lifestyle and extending your longevity; however, there are so many other aspects of being healthy that should not be overlooked. I made a short list of other things that people should also prioritize and balance out if needed in addition to eating healthy foods, taking health supplements, and working out. (If there is anything that I forgot to mention, be sure to share it in the comments below)!

Quality and Quantity of Sleep – I write the quality and quantity of sleep because both are equally important. It can be tough for people to fall asleep at night or clock in enough hours of sleep. As a result, that leaves people with low energy levels and over time can deteriorate one’s quality of life. Good sleep is a universal necessity that everyone can benefit from. I always recommend that if your schedule permits, find a time in the day to add a nap if needed to add some extra sleep time in your day.

Self Care (ex: skincare, personal grooming, etc.) – The way in which you take care of yourself matters and this is often a category that gets ignored due to a busy lifestyle. No matter how many professional and personal obligations that you have, it is essential to add self care to that list because taking care of yourself is a necessity! For me personally, self care can include the little things such as taking the time to wear products with sun protection during the summer months. It also means scheduling a monthly facial and/or massage. Never neglect yourself because you are your most valuable asset and deserve to be pampered!

Stress Levels – Throughout the course of our lives, it is natural that you will experience stress but it is important to try to find ways to eliminate stress in its entirety or find things to aid in reducing stress such as meditation. It is said that stress is a silent killer in people’s lives and that too much of it over time can take a serious toll on one’s life. It is for this reason that people need to try their very best to keep their stress levels at bay.

Mental Health – This often can be a taboo subject but it is definitely an aspect of life that should never be ignored. If you are not in a good place in your life, it is important to utilize the right resources to get you back on the right track. That might mean scheduling therapy sessions with a professional or going to a doctor to get a prescription. There should be no shame in seeking help when needed.

Happiness – Last but certainly not least, let’s not forget about increasing and maintaining your happiness levels. Your satisfaction with life matters and you should make this a focal point by pursuing the things that you love and eliminating the things that do not suit a purpose in your life. That might mean getting a new job, getting out of a toxic relationship, booking a vacation, and/or finding quality time to spend with your friends or family. Whatever it is that makes YOU happy, go for it! 🙂

It Does Not Matter Where You Started – You Determine the Direction of Your Path

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Oftentimes when you turn on a news station, the focus tends to be on bad news and all the negative events that are shaping the modern world that we live in today. I recognize that it can sometimes be hard to hear good news when most media outlets only highlight the bad things. Over the weekend, I was listening to a headline that caught my attention and left a lasting impression which propelled me to want to share the news in my blog this week. It was about a graduating high school senior from Paterson, New Jersey who got accepted into Harvard University. While on the surface, you might be thinking, “What’s the big deal?” For starters, this specific area in New Jersey is not the most affluent of areas and the student was raised by a single parent. While most would look at where they started and declare that they did not have the same opportunities as someone who was in a much better starting position, she did not use her childhood or socioeconomic status as setbacks but instead, realized that with hard work and dedication to her goals, she can turn her dream into a reality! This leads me to the title of this blog, one of many important facts of life–It does NOT matter where you started because YOU determine the direction of your path!

The news station I was watching interviewed Isabela Gonzalez and it was truly a beautiful story that touched my heart. She was talking about how when she was a young child, she heard of Harvard University and she was told that prestigious people such as presidents went to Harvard University. In response, naturally, she was like, “Well then I want to go to Harvard University!” Her family members laughed and then explained to her that not just anyone gets accepted and that it is one of the hardest schools to get into. Did that leave her discouraged? Nope, quite the contrary. Fast forward her life a decade later and she will be attending Harvard University this fall.

This also brings me back to the power of manifestation and what I call “planting the seed.” In this example, it is so evident that the seed had been planted in her mind as a child that she was going to go to Harvard University. She was too little to understand what that meant or the academic excellence that would be required of her to get into a school like that but it was a decision that was planted in the back of her mind and stayed there. I truly believe that her belief that she was worthy enough to go there along with her desire to go to Harvard University is what subconsciously and perhaps consciously had motivated her to put in the work that was needed to receive her acceptance letter into the school. This by no means is a sheer coincidence but exemplifies manifestation at work. Please take note here that when you “plant the seed,” the seed eventually grows as long as you water the seed or in this case, take the action that is needed to help the seed grow into a miraculous plant.

Mind you, in the article I shared above, I was reading about how fear almost crept in and she almost did not take the time to apply but that she had a teacher who pretty much said he would not supply her a teacher recommendation unless she followed through and still applied to Harvard as planned. Even though she had some moments of doubt, she had someone who told her to apply anyway which points out two other important lessons which are to always believe in yourself and to try no matter the outcome! There is an incredible amount of spiritual value and life lessons that can be taught from this wonderful story. Congratuations to Isabela Gonzalez for her success story and to an even brighter future ahead!

Manifesting Abundance – The Possibilities Are Endless When You Want Them

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It is important to live your life with what I call an abundance mindset. It is obvious to me when people live this way versus people who do not apply this way of thinking. When I say abundance, I am not referring to manifesting strictly money and/or material goods although at times that can apply like manifesting a dream house or car; however, I meant it from a spiritual point of view. It really comes down to two very valuable trains of thought.

For one, you need to recognize that we live in a world with unlimited possibilities and opportunities. There is no need to really be in competition with anyone because there is so much to go around and this applies to everything in life! This goes for jobs, relationships, housing, etc. (On a side note, in regards to housing, many areas are facing housing shortages which is driving the housing market to great heights but generally speaking, if you really look and you can be patient, then you will be able to manifest what you want when the time is right). My point is, the Universe is already filled with abundance so there is no need to ever be discouraged when you do not get something that you want at the time or ever feel that there is a shortage of anything.

Oftentimes in order for your greatest desires to be fulfilled and manifested, you need to have a driving force from within to want to obtain them. It is important to know that the opportunities exist as I mentioned previously but you need to also have that burning desire to go out and chase after what you want. I think that golden combo of knowing that there are unlimited possibilities out there paired with wanting to go out there to get them will ensure that you are able to up your manifesting abilities and also increase abundance within your life.

Here’s A Kim Kardashian Quote to Boost Your Work Ethic

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Whether you love her or hate her, there is no denying that Kim Kardashian is an amazing entrepreneur. I would say that pretty much their entire family has worked very hard to get to where they are by creating multiple businesses and streams of income. I read recently that Kim got a little bit of heat for a quote she made in a recent interview. She had said, “Get your [butt] up and work. It seems like no one wants to work these days. You have to surround yourself with people who want to work.” It might sound harsh on the surface but I cannot agree more! Please note that she made two really good points here. It is true that you need to take action by going out into the world and working. You cannot just sit at home and expect work to fall onto your lap, you need to actually find the opportunities and then maximize on those opportunities. Sometimes people are given work opportunities with little to no effort but most highly successful individuals will do more than just take what is given to them or they will take those opportunities and go above and beyond.

She also mentions the importance of surrounding yourself around those who also want to work. “Birds of a feather flock together” and finding the right people to associate yourself with throughout your life is definitely beneficial. It is no secret that before Kim Kardashian was famous, she was always with Paris Hilton. At the time, Paris Hilton was already a young celebrity and Kim wanted to emulate her because she valued fame and respected her for her success. It worked out in the long run because now Kim Kardashian is a well known celebrity and she also became extremely successful compared to where she first started. If you prioritize work and success, then finding other people who do the same will propel you to stay on the path of success as well. You have the power to choose the people who you want to be a part of your social circle so make the right choices and select like minded individuals who have the same desires and fundamental values as yourself.

Why Having Substance Is Your Greatest Asset and How to Possess More of It

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People focus much of their attention on appearances and by that, I do not just mean their outward appearance such as their physical looks but also how they appear to other people. We live in a society that very much judges others based on what is seen on the exterior. I understand that it is for this reason why people put such a huge emphasis on how they come across and are seen by others in real life and on social media. However, people should really put more of their attention towards building up their substance as individuals and who they are in the inside and not just the outside.

This is why you often hear, “don’t judge a book by its cover” because there is definitely validity behind this common adage. I can think of a handful of times where I misjudged people based on appearances and I was totally wrong about the person. I am sure everyone has experienced this before for the good or for the bad. This goes with attraction too where someone might not be as physically attractive in your eyes but because the person has substance and truly is beautiful in the inside, this makes the person an attractive one despite the exterior. In contrast, you might meet someone who you find to be incredibly good looking but because there is a lack of substance and/or chemistry, you do not view the person as attractive anymore. It is kind of like an optical illusion where what you see is not what you get which is why looks really are not everything!

Substance is an asset that often is never mentioned but holds so much value and in some, is never really fully developed. The good news is that there are ways to build up substance and to make this a focal point in your self development. I believe the best way to do this is to cultivate your passions and interests on an authentic level. In other words, do not go through the motions of doing things for the sake of it or because you see everyone doing something on social media. You need to figure out what brings you joy and what are the things that you most naturally gravitate towards most. Everyone is born with their own unique set of talents, interests, strengths, and abilities. It is your job to determine what they are and to expand on them. This will not only bring you genuine happiness in life but oftentimes it will fulfill a purpose by providing meaning and substance to the core of your soul. Substance is what carries you in life and serves as a helpful tool to attract the right opportunities and people into your Universe which is why it is a necessity to possess a good amount of it.

Why You Can’t Always Trust “Fitness” Influencers – Along with A Much Healthier Approach to Fitness

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Nowadays thanks to social media, there is so much information about health and fitness. People post everything ranging from their workouts to what they eat each day. Just about anyone and everyone can post including normal people who are fitness enthusiasts, actual professionals who work as trainers or within the fitness industry, or people who call themselves fitness influencers who might have a massive following but do not have a professional background. You might also notice that fitness influencers try to sell fitness programs that are marketed to help you train to look just like them or try to obtain a certain physique. While I also like to turn to places like Instagram to learn new fitness moves or as fitness inspiration to help me vary my workouts, that is the extent that I rely on social media for this information because I know that there are many people out there who might make fitness claims that are not valid. For example, it often is a taboo subject to talk about plastic surgery or any type of body procedures; however, there are some people that have had work done but say that they look that way thanks to their workouts and programs. This is false advertising! That is why I don’t think you can take everything that you see on social media all too seriously. Also keep in mind that everyone’s genetics are designed differently so a specific diet and fitness routine that works on one person might not necessarily work as effectively on someone else.

I believe the healthiest approach to fitness is to first set realistic expectations and fitness goals that apply to you personally. From there, you can create a game plan to determine how you will reach these goals and then develop the right habits that you can adapt on a daily basis that will help you achieve the results that you are looking for. Consistency is the key and as long as you are consistent with your efforts, you will notice that you will make progress over time. It is natural that there will be off days but never let that bring you down and know that you can always pick right back up from where you started or where you were previously. It is much healthier to focus on your own fitness journey than to compare yourself to others because the majority of the time, the people who might have a major social media following are not always the most knowledgeable and/or might be taking extreme measures to appear “healthy” when they actually are not. It is important to find what works for you and to apply it in your everyday life so it becomes a lifestyle as opposed to feeling like a chore which is why that it is also beneficial to find physical activities that you love paired with a healthy diet that you find enjoyable.

Tracking Your Life – You Improve What You Measure

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Often times I write about the importance of tracking things such as your goals, finances, and other vital areas in your life as a way to measure your progress. While some might think it is a waste of time or that it is unnecessary, I do believe that taking the time to track it down will put you on the right path of success and that as a result, you are bound to make improvements in your life. This is because you are putting a focus on what you want and paying attention to your progress over time. If you want to maximize your potential, it is time to start tracking it!

For me personally, I like to write things in a physical journal by hand although there are other options such as tracking digitally on a spreadsheet or on a phone app. There are many phone apps today that make it easy to track things such as your fitness and financial goals. Everyone has a different approach so it is good to find what works best for you. All that matters is that you start and make it a daily habit. It is amazing to look back at where you started and satisfying when you can see actual progression over time. In order to improve your current life and to achieve what you desire most, it is time to get serious about your goals by not only writing them down but also keeping tabs on your progress by recording it each day.

Why Delayed Gratification is More Gratifying

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We live in a society that thrives on instant gratification. People tend to want immediate results and everything to be an easy process. For example, if someone is looking to get in a shape, even though one knows that consistently putting in the time to work out effectively and cleaning up their diet would give them those results over time, this person might give up pretty easily on getting fit because it is not an overnight process. What people need to realize is that most big successes or anything that is worth having do very well take a good amount of time. It can take months, years, or perhaps decades! It is crucial to always stay focused on the end goal and to put in the work that is needed day by day. Even if that means that you have to go through long periods of time not seeing results, that is not a reason to give up on what you want. This might even be a time to reflect on a new approach, to work a little harder, or maybe take a short break if it is needed to prevent burnout–which is totally okay.

Although delayed gratification might not feel as enjoyable as receiving something instantly, you actually hold a higher value on something that you have to work harder towards. I always like to point out that is often why people perceive expensive items as higher value because it takes up more time to save up to purchase these goods. Whether or not the quality is actually worth its price is up to the individual to determine but people tend to gravitate towards desiring the things that are more out of their reach as opposed to something that was given to them or was easier to obtain. It can be an incredibly rewarding feeling once you finally receive something that you desired most and that you had to work hard towards which is why it is actually more gratifying than instant gratification because you earned it yourself.

Although the process might feel like a never ending one, delayed gratification is not a bad thing because it adds many positive attributes to one’s character such as patience, motivation, and discipline while also building one’s work ethic. If someone was to receive everything that they wanted very easily without any effort, this person would never feel challenged in life and probably would remain a very lazy individual. It is for this reason that it is also good to set the bar high and want to strive for bigger and better things. People should always find ways to challenge themselves for the greater good of their self development and for a brighter future. Everything is within reach, no matter how long it takes to get there. Don’t forget to enjoy the journey as you are experiencing it and remember that all your efforts are worth it to achieve and receive everything that you want to manifest most in your lifetime.