Five Years from Now

“There are essentially two things that will make us wiser: the books we read and the people we meet.” ― Charles Jones

I heard this quote a little differently. Someone said, “Your life in five years will be the result of the books you read and the people you associate with.” Either way, the message is the same to me. Be aware of where you spend your time and what you feed your mind.  That is powerful. Right?

I heard this in 2011 when our son, Ryan, went to law school. I thought about the books he would read and the interesting people he would meet. I have to say I felt a bit envious. Then I realized there was no reason I couldn’t grow, too, so I began to immerse myself in books and expand my own horizons.

It’s a new year. This is the first blog entry for me. It isn’t that I couldn’t think of anything to say. I have so much to say that I needed to decide where to stop!

In December a friend asked me what I want to consciously experience in 2015 in order to make it my most extraordinary year yet. Wow! That’s a great question! We need friends to ask us BIG questions like that. That question caused me to sit with everything that I had experienced in 2014 and ponder an even better year.  I became a published author with my short story in Unwavering Strength, launched the website I’ve been creating in my heart for years (inkelliesworld.com), visited so many new places, conversed with the most interesting people and had a lot of time with the people I love. I thought about the books that I read and am reading, the people I spend my time with, the people I’ve met on my journey and the wisdom I have gained from them all. The books I’ve read and studied have opened so many doors in my mind. The people I have met have expanded my view of the world, business and the possibilities that are available for anyone who truly desires more.

The wisdom I have garnered and the person I have become is, indeed, a direct result of the books I have read and the people I surround myself with.

I’ve been thinking about the resolutions people make on the first day of January.  I want so much to share things I have learned. You can if you think you can…..Really!  Believe you can do whatever you’ve committed to do this year. Find someone in your life that can be your accountability partner; someone who will support you when you’re frustrated and celebrate your accomplishments~regardless of how big or little you believe they are. The little gains add up and become huge achievements. Build; one brick at a time.

The most important part is the start. Get started on what YOU want to do, not what you think you should do! My friend and mentor, Peggy McColl, is famous for saying “most people get stuck on the start”. Take one little baby step today in the direction of your resolve.

“Before you can do something, you must first be something.” ― J.W.Von Goethe

I have never been a fan of New Year resolutions.  This year I did, kind of, make a resolution though. I decided to create  “To-Be” or “To-Day” lists instead of “to-do” lists. I have committed to bring my highest self, my best self to meet the day. I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been doing, but do it better. Better is a great word! I will greet each day with enthusiasm and ask myself every night “What did I accomplish today? What did I read? Who did I meet? What have I learned? Did I laugh? How did I live better today than I did yesterday?”

I’ve been filing away all kinds of  information in the past few years.  I know that you are never too old…to do, be or have anything you really desire. I know it is never too late to be better today than I was yesterday. I know that you don’t have to be brilliant to achieve your goals, you just have to be persistent enough to do so. I have heard Bob Proctor say a thousand times, “I can is far more important than IQ”. I know that I don’t have to know everything. I just need to know where to find the information or the person who does know what I need to know to do what I want to do.

Oh, my gosh. I’ve got so much more to tell you I could write a book. Hmmm….maybe I will!  I’d love to hear from you about the books you are reading. I was thinking about adding a tab on my website to put up some of my favorite things and introduce you to the amazing people I’ve gotten to know. Would that be something you’d enjoy?

“I cannot live without books….” ― Thomas Jefferson

Me, either, T.J. (that’s what we call Thomas Jefferson here in Charlottesville!)

Okay, I better finish. Oprah’s on hold…..hahaha….that made me laugh. Check off  humor today! But, hey, anything is possible. Right?

I HOPE your day is filled with delightful surprises, joyful people and sunshine.

Love,
Kellie

Please visit me…..and bring a friend! I’d love it if you would share this message and my website with someone you love.