Last night Brian invited me to watch a video with him. WOW! What an inspirational story it told. And it was so touching.
I just watched it again and was just as moved by it as when I first saw it. Really love the music and lyrics, too!…Josh Groban singing accompanied by an orchestra!
This morning as I was exercising, I noticed that I had more energy than usual. And, of course, that’s a good thing! So I was very grateful for that. And I shared with Brian that I had more energy. When I told him that I was able to easily increase the number of pushups I did today, he asked…
I believe that motivational stories can help you, so let me tell you this one. It’s my own experience.
In case you don’t already know this from another story, I really love to sing…even in front of an audience! Since I don’t play a musical instrument, I’ve become quite accustomed to singing a capella, which means singing without musical accompaniment.
Lucky for me, I can stay on key through a whole song without music. My brother, Robert, a singer and musician, told me that not many people can do that. So I feel blessed with that gift!
When my daughter, Natalie, asked if I wanted to write a song and sing it at her wedding reception, I was thrilled. I began writing the song last year and completed it months ago. Then I began practicing singing it and also doing voice and breathing exercises daily.
I practiced over and over again…and then some more. And I only expected to be really good when I performed my song at her wedding. I never considered that I would do less than my best.
I also told myself in my twice daily affirmations that I am a successful singer. I had great expectations and positive thoughts….
Did all that practicing and positive thinking and affirmations pay off?
Here’s what happened…
Joyce Marie, mother-of-the-bride, singing at the wedding reception
When I sang at the wedding reception, in front of a band and before an audience of about 117 people, I wasn’t even nervous. Since it was a love song, I sang it looking at my husband, Brian. And I was singing with no musical accompaniment. So my voice was extra important. It was a challenging song requiring that my singing be exceptionally good.
After I sang my song, I received many uplifting compliments on my performance, as well as the song. My brother, Robert, said I was really brave.
It’s amazing how brave you can be when you really want to do something.
What is it that motivates you to be brave?
Do you have a dream of doing something that calls for courage?
How are you keeping that dream alive?
Do you cherish that dream and do things to make it happen?
With those questions in mind, check out these lyrics from my song, ‘Choose A Dream:’
I really enjoy reading and watching motivational stories. They motivate and inspire me to improve myself.
Is that true for you?
If yes, then let me tell you another one of my motivational stories.
Where shall I begin?
I think I’ll go all the way back to when I was about 5 years old. This is a little embarrassing, but, here goes. ..
I sucked my thumb to comfort myself! Yes, at 5 years old, I was still a thumb sucker!
When I felt sad, I curled up on the soft, velvety couch in our living room and sucked my thumb. As the middle child of 7 children, I didn’t get a lot of attention, and my parents did not say to me “I love you.”
Then one day my mother took a picture of me as I sucked my thumb. Apparently she was not thrilled that her 5 year old daughter was still sucking her thumb. I guess I was so embarrassed and mortified that I no longer sucked my thumb after that….at least, that’s what I remember. My mother died years ago, so I can’t verify this story with her.
But would she even remember, since she had 7 kids?
Long after quitting my bad habit, even though I no longer sucked my thumb, I was shy and self-conscious. And I didn’t know how to overcome that. But I wanted to.
When I was in high school, I didn’t like hearing that people thought I was stuck up. That wasn’t true at all. I really wanted to be friendly.
But how could I be friendly when I was so shy?
Many years after high school, shyness still controlled me. Then finally I made a huge breakthrough…
I believe we all need a motivational inspirational tip sometimes, so I have a simple one to share with you now. It’s one I’ve just recently started practicing.
Motivational Inspirational - Stand Tall
For most of my life I’ve had poor posture, a bad habit. As you know, bad habits are hard to break, so I’m grateful when I’m reminded to “Stand tall”.
When Brian and I take our daily walk, we remind each other to stand tall. Sometimes I’ll add, “Shoulders back, chest out, tummy tucked.” And it’s amazing how differently I feel when I follow that advice. I feel more confident and important.
So here’s my tip for you: Stand tall with your shoulders back, chest out and tummy tucked. Do it now.
How does it make you feel?
Go look in the mirror and observe how you look when you stand tall.
You look important. Don’t you?
When you look important and feel important, you’ll be treated differently….treated better!
You’d like that. Yes?
Of course, you would!
To help you remember, here are some lyrics for you from the song, ‘Walk Tall’ performed by Ziggy Marley and Paul Simon:
