Dear Members of the 2014 Canadian Olympic Team, YOU WERE EXCEPTIONAL!

The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics came to a close yesterday, but what was captured on screen will stay in our hearts and minds forever.

Throughout the Games, Canadians all over the globe were uniting as proud supporters of our team. I, on behalf of all Canadians, would like to thank our amazing athletes and coaches for their involvement at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games and for being amazing ambassadors of our country.

Only you can become an expert at valuing yourself! What practices help you become your own personal best?

Valuing yourself is a process and requires practice. Earning it may not give you applause and acknowledgement from outsiders, but having healthy self-worth will provide you with the strong foundation to perform in other arenas.

You are special in your own right. Not for being your job title or for a role you play in your life, you are worthy for being YOU! You without the mask, without the titles, without the applause.

As I often mention on Arianna’s Random Thoughts, life lessons can be learned from anyone, and any situation, at random times. While watching television recently, I was taught a valuable lesson about loving the skin you are in.

The show was a recording of Live with Kelly and Michael.  The co-hosts had made an on-air bet about the SuperBowl. If the team Kelly chose (Denver Broncos) lost, she would appear makeup-free for the upcoming episode with superstar George Clooney. If the team Michael chose (Seattle Seahawks) lost, he wouldn’t cut his hair until after Oscar week, meaning he would have long hair for his Oscar appearance as he has twice-weekly haircuts to maintain his clean-shaven look. The makeup and hair cut are shields for personal insecurities, no different than a mask or a uniform.

Imagine you had a tough day and are feeling bad about yourself. What would you do to make yourself feel better?

Do you take it upon yourself to get better? Or, do you reach out to others and speak from the heart?