I read this quote recently and realized it is true.  However, I believe in this battle against yourself we have two opponents: the outside world and ourselves.  I personally believe the latter is the harder fight.

For example, I was at the beach this past weekend with two good girl friends. We have different body shapes and sizes, yet we are fighting the same battles.

The first is our struggle with a society that constantly has images of how individuals should ideally look. The media puts out the message that we should change ourselves and our imperfections to a standardized “ideal” image in order to be happy and accepted.

Thank you is such a small yet powerful statement.   It should be said more often.

I will never forget the time I went out to lunch with a couple of friends, and one of my friends treated us all.  After the meal, she remarked to me that some people weren't thankful for her treat because they didn't say "thanks" to her.   This situation sticks in my head to remind me to always say "thank you" whenever someone does something nice for me or helps me out in some way.

Do the following sound familiar to you?  These were all statements that I said before or during my first day at a fitness Bootcamp yesterday. It didn’t hit me until after that I use too many excuses.

“I am going a bit slower today BECAUSE I didn’t sleep well last night” – said as I was hiking

“I am taking my time down the hill BECAUSE I sprained my ankle” – on the way down

“I’m nervous to start this program BECAUSE I’ll look like a beginner” – in the car before Bootcamp

Or maybe some of these sound familiar to you....

In order to learn, you need to reach out and ask questions.   I sent a message to a well-established blogger the other day,Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen, and this is how she responded. Read the post here. Thanks Laurie!

This made me think where I was taught this important life lesson.

I learned the importance of asking questions from my high school Algebra and Geometry Teacher.

Our school wasn't semestered, so all of our classes were full-year courses.  I loved math and science, which was great because I had planned on becoming a medical doctor.  

I saw the "I am not afraid ... I was born to do this" necklace that Tina Steinberg designed, and it made me think of a message that has been on my heart and mind for quite a while. I started thinking about this topic when I first wrote about it in one of my earliest posts, "Am I Really Free to Be Me? " For me, when I see this necklace, I think: " I am not afraid ... I was born to be me."

Music is a great way to convey a message and to connect people. My sisters always find these amazing songs that I have never heard of before.  My middle sister sent me this one tonight by Griffin House "The Guy That Says Goodbye To You Is Out Of His Mind" and I had to share it as it has such a positive message.  Most of the time if someone breaks your heart, you think it is your fault or that there is something wrong with you. That is not the case at all.  There are other people out there that would love to date you.

"Go where ur celebrated, not tolerated.. Where ur Adored & not ignored!"  was what Rev Run tweeted earlier today.  When I read that on my twitter this afternoon, it made me think of a few situations where this applied.

There have been a few times in my life, where I left or have wanted to leave environments where I didn't feel supported.  Why would you put effort into something if you are not appreciated and are generally ignored?

For example, there was one time someone went to this small group at a church three times before any one came up to them and the people they went up to did not really show an interest in them.  I mean it is hard enough showing up to a new group, but if the group is not friendly or inviting why would you want to be a part of it?  There are other small groups out there that are excited to welcome new people.

Have you ever gotten a text message from someone and have no idea what they mean? Or have you ever had to show your phone to a friend to help you understand what the text means?

Keeping in touch with people is becoming easier through the use of technology, but I believe it is getting harder for people to understand what others are trying to communicate.  Research says that communication is 90% non-verbal and 10% verbal; therefore when we text we are missing much of the message being conveyed.  I would argue it may be getting easier to communicate with others, but it is getting harder to understand what they are trying to say.   I think text messaging is good for sending quick messages that are easier to understand, but even then they can be misunderstood (i.e.  check out the video below for a great example).

I find it funny because the video brings up questions that I have had in conversations with many people this year.  From experience, when you enter your mid-twenties, finding someone to spend your life with increases in importance.   It also makes you think about settling for someone as opposed to finding your soulmate.

I was watching a reality show this week, and a guy made a comment about a woman he was dating.  He said that he had a great connection with the woman, and he could totally see himself building a life with her; but, he had to break up with her due to a lack of physical attraction because he thought she needed to lose at least fifteen pounds.   I know I should consider the source because it is a reality show, but I have heard people dismiss potential partners for a variety of physical reasons.

Therefore, my question of the the day is: what are the deal-breakers in a long-term relationship?  Human bodies change for a variety of reasons. There is more to a person than physical appearance.

Even though technology is very beneficial, there are downsides to it as well.  One being that many people are now out of jobs.  It got me thinking, while technology is a good thing,  is too much a bad thing?

There is no human interaction in any of these situations.  For example,  no cashier was there to smile or talk to them while at the grocery store, movie store, bank, or gas station.

In today's western society, individuals are constantly interacting with members of the opposite sex (i.e., at work, school, places of worship, in sports,  etc.).   Most people in the generation of individuals from 16 to 35, have many close friends of both sexes.  How does having many friends of the opposite sex influence the individual's romantic relationships?  As someone who has numerous friends of both sexes, here are some questions that I have been thinking about lately.   I would like to hear your opinions on this topic.

The first question that I have asked myself frequently is:  Can men and women be "just friends" without the question of dating entering the picture?