Live Life Out Loud

“If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an artist, I will answer you; "I am here to live out loud.” - Emile Zola

According to various reports, the average lifespan in the United States for women is 80.1 for women and 74.8 for men. These are ages which, when you are young, seem to be a far off point in time.

The closer you draw to those ages thought, the shortening days become more special. You reach a point to which you wonder what you have done in life. Have I lived my life quietly and in the shadows? Or have I lived my life out in the world making a difference in big and small ways?

In other words, are you living your life 'out loud' impacting the lives of others?

Living life out loud means engaging in the life of others around you.

- It does not mean being the loudest person shouting above the din of everyone else.
- It does not mean being the most flamboyant person, brighter than all of the stars.

To be a part of the everyday world, you can leave a mark on those around you for their betterment. The legacy you will eventually leave behind is how you will be remembered. Others will say they were a better person for having known you.

- It does not mean being the biggest philanthropist spreading money to save the world.
- It does not mean you have to change the world in history book making ways.

Living life out loud means doing small things for others.

Living life out loud means what you do will have a lasting and rippling effect on others. You may not even realize it when you do it, but living out loud will cause impact on others. And whether you impact others in one large way or in a thousand small ways, you can not do so by living in the shadows.

Live out loud and live all your years in the bright light of life and do it loudly.

Stay inspired my friends!

Bring It On

"Study strategy over the years and achieve the spirit of the warrior. Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men." ~Miyamoto Musashi

The story of warriors can be taken in multiple context depending upon what fits the need. But in general, there are two ways to describe a warrior. One would be in reference to "someone engaged or experienced in warfare." The second refers to "a person who shows or has shown great vigor, courage, or aggressiveness."

In the context of what I write, it follows the second reference above to how we each engage in our own life. Each day we are confronted by circumstances which will either hinder or enhance our progress towards a better life. Of course it takes vigor and courage to battle the hinderance. It also take vigor and courage to accept or embrace the circumstances that will help us.

When we wake up in the morning we have a choice to make in how we will approach the day. We can cower to the possibility of something good or bad happening to us. Or we can stand tall as a warrior and proclaim, "bring it on." It is this second choice that I make. Whatever comes my way, I'm as ready as I'll ever be.

It will be with confidence in yourself to overcome or to take on whatever comes your way. Choose to stand strong and take it all on. Stand strong and loudly proclaim, "bring it on world."