Have you ever gone to an event where you didn’t know anyone? Did you think of backing out because you didn’t have someone to go with you?

Leading up to and following my recent conference, these were the initial questions people asked me when they realized I was attending solo.

Each asked: “So, do/did you know anyone at the conference in Vancouver?” My answer was: “No.”

My friends remarked that I was courageous to go somewhere unfamiliar and try something new all by myself. Years ago, I would have shied away from events if I had no one to go with me. I feared what people would think if I came alone.

As you may know, I have been reaching out and asking people I admire what daily practices (i.e., record worthy practices) they perform in their lives to feel better about themselves. I encourage you to sit back, put away your distractions for a few minutes, and reflect. Think about how you can apply the record worthy practice, which is shared below, in your life.

Today. Anne-Sophie Reinhardt shares her record worthy practice with all of us.

I'm excited that today, Dawn Brown, is “Speaking From the Heart” and sharing her experiences with all of us. Dawn was the Director of Student Life Services and head of Career Services at Carleton University (where I obtained my Bachelor's degree) in Ottawa, Canada. I am really inspired by Dawn's message of hope, so I asked her to be part of this series; she is a mentor to me. As said on her website, "she credits those she has met on the road and seas with inspiring her by allowing her to see life through their eyes." I had to ask Dawn to inspire fellow writers by asking her to speak from her heart!

Ever wondered about the writing process? How does it work? I get asked about my writing process quite often and love having conversations about expressing one's thoughts. Writing is a solitary practice so it is more fun to have people around to inspire you along the way. So when one of my blog friends and fellow authors, Heather Grace Stewart, invited me to take part in this blog hop, I wholeheartedly agreed. How the blog works is that you mention the author who invited you (i.e., Heather) and then share your answers to the Blog Hop questions. Thanks for the invitation Heather! Prepare to be inspired and feel free to share your thoughts on the writing process!

“Never, ever, ever, give up!” You may have to adapt your course like I have, but trust me don’t quit! I have persevered through many obstacles in my life; the most recent occurred within the last year. Instead of giving up, I changed my approach.  Doing so has made all the difference to achieving my goals.

Through my research and athletic experience at graduate school, I saw a need to reduce bullying in sport. The research I had conducted focused on creating effective school-based bullying prevention programs.  However, towards the end of my studies, it became very apparent that prevention cannot only occur in formal classroom settings (as these programs were using). I believe this needed to reach beyond the classroom. After I graduated, I wanted to improve the climates of educational and athletic environments by focusing on healthy relationships.

I found out earlier today that my blog Arianna's Random Thoughts made the list (#14) of the Top 50 Personal Development Blogs of 2012.  I'm so humbled and thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You guys rock!  Here are some of the beautiful nominations that my blog received:

I really appreciate you all for taking the time to vote, read my blog, share your stories, and be a source of hope in this world. I couldn't have received this without you as 35% of your blog award score is based on reader participation and voting. This award goes to you as well. Thank you for believing in my message and adding your voices and/or random thoughts to the conversation! :)

Well, this year I feel like that is happening to me in terms of my true authentic voice.  It wants to speak and share with others.  My inner voice is trying hard to be heard; it keeps making noise so that I will listen to it.  Therefore, by writing and sharing; I am nourished and strengthened.

Strengthening our souls, using our voices, and nourishing our authentic selves are as essential to living a healthy life as eating is.

Since I love sharing with others, I am passing this knowledge on to you. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season with your family and friends!

Perhaps you were like me; you never really thought death or serious illness would happen to you or to someone you cared about deeply.  Then one day, you get the news.  Trust me, how you cope with it makes all the difference. I initially wrote this post months ago, but after hearing many stories of illness recently, I thought it would be fitting to share this story now.

Why does it take hardship for people to realize a person’s character?

Let me explain. 

Recently, I made a mistake, and I’m the first to admit it.  You see, I befriended someone and we got super close and chatted regularly. Then all of a sudden, this person stopped talking to me for the period of a month (this can seem like forever if you talk to someone a lot). 

I thought the reason they pulled away had to do with me.  I am guilty of this - if someone pulls away or is upset, my first instinct is to believe that I am to blame. These are the thoughts that came into my head as soon as this person stopped talking to me: “I am the one to blame. What did I do wrong? Was it something I said? What was our last conversation?” I was really hurt that they stopped communication.

Jessica Larsen is a word-wrangler, story-seeker and general lover of wonder + whimsy. She loves green smoothies, summer evenings, and motivational movie montages. She is actively pursuing a life of inspiration, adventure and truth. By day, you can find her giving legal and policy advice to the Government. By night, she is a cape-wearing online superhero who writes, pontificates and inspires over at www.sparrowandsea.com and Hello Wordsmith. Thanks, Jess, for sharing with us the lessons you have learned throughout your life! Keep writing, smiling, and sharing your story! 

I have interviewed many people for my "Profiles of Perseverance" series about how they persevere through many types of obstacles.  I thought it would be fitting to ask someone who loves the water and coaching as much as I do. Mercedes Maidana is a Motivational Speaker, Abundance Coach, and Patagonia Surf Ambassador.  I love the work she is doing! I really respect her and think she has a powerful mission. Thanks, Mercedes, for sharing with us the lessons you have learned throughout your life! Keep up the awesome work!

It is a raining here, but I have some news that will brighten a gloomy day.  I'm putting together a fun and positive life experiment which will start on November 1st.  I'm not going to give you any more hints other than if you like my blog, YOU WILL WANT TO BE PART OF IT!!!!

I will be sending out an email giving you all the details a week before it starts. You should join my newsletter so you don't miss out!  The project is fun, inspiring, reflective, and positive. I hope it will make you shine brighter than you already do.  Don't worry; you won't be doing it alone - I'm going to do it too!