Bring Out The Best You

Whatever your days become and however they unfold, live them fully and do so with reckless abandon. Don’t simply survive, but squeeze every drop of promise each day holds. So…Live your life, spread your love, and always bring out the best you. 

Former Lady Razorback Basketball Player~Gone Too Soon

~Life Comes Full Circle~

The adventure of life is to LEARN. 

The purpose of life is to GROW. 

The nature of life is to CHANGE. 

The challenge of life is to OVERCOME. 

The essence of life is to CARE. 

The opportunity of life is to LOVE. 

The secret of life is to DARE. 

The beauty of life is to GIVE.

India Lewis passed away on August 7, 2018. We celebrated her birthday in heaven on September 21, 2018 (actual birthday) through the 23rd. This video is the short version to the long video of some of her moments she lived when she was alive. May she rest in peace now.India will never be forgotten  and will continue to live in our hearts.

India Amber Lewis
Birthday: September 21st

The Full Version Video for India Lewis will be posted soon. Thank you for watching and have a wonderful day. =) 

An Amazing Girl With A Fighting Spirit

A video that shows the journey this little girl has begun and little tokens of motivation to share with her during this very trying time.



Elizabeth...YOU are an amazing little girl with a such a powerful smile and a fighting spirit. YOU have so much LOVE all around YOU and always know that YOU are never alone. Your heart is strong and bright...it radiates everything around YOU.

YOU are an absolute inspiration to so many people. Never lose hope, embrace your strength, and let your light lead YOU to the place YOU are meant to be! STAY STRONG ELIZABETH AND FINISH YOUR FIGHT!

DEDICATE THIS DAY-EXTENDED VERSION

LIFE COMES FULL CIRCLE...
The adventure of life is to LEARN. The purpose of life is to GROW. The nature of life is to CHANGE. The challenge of life is to OVERCOME. The essence of life is to CARE. The opportunity of life is to LOVE. The secret of life is to DARE. The beauty of life is to GIVE.

OUR ACTIONS GIVE LIFE STRENGTH...

Each of us has a life filled with choices, and sometimes you can make a choice that can help someone you love or someone you don't even know. Each moment of your life is so special...and the people that are in those moments and in your life are there for a reason. A purpose is always fulfilled in each of those moments and will remain constant for life.

Giving to others/helping others gives us more than we give away. Everything you do matters. Every move you make, every action you take...MATTERS. 

How far forward does someone need to go in your life to show the difference you make and the difference you could make? You, me, everyone have been created in order that we might make a difference...that we might fulfill our purpose. We have within us the power to change someone's life, to help someone in need, and to give our life meaning/purpose. Do you have the courage to experience life through the needs and eyes of another?

YOUR LIFE...AND WHAT YOU DO WITH IT TODAY...MATTERS FOREVER.

EVERYONE HAS THEIR SOMETHING...

When situations present themselves do we act on them or look the other way? Everyone has something to give, even if it is a small something...it is still something. I believe it is the small things that help build the bigger things. The bigger things would not be possible without the smaller things. 

I believe deep down, everyone wants to feel they can give something that will help someone in need. It is amazing to see the process extend itself into a big chain reaction that has the power to bring so many people together to help make a difference.

DEDICATE THIS DAY:

I was reading one of my favorite books the other day and I came across a part in the book titled, "DEDICATE THIS DAY." The premise of it is that you dedicate a day to someone who is in need through expressions of love, kindess, and compassion. One of the greatest gifts you can give someone who is in need is kindness. True kindness lies within the act of giving without the expectation of something in return. Tokens of love provides clarity, the opening, and the grace for miracles to happen.

So I have decided to dedicate this day, August 24th to Elizabeth Yturralde-Cameron and her battle with cancer. Elizabeth is an amazing 13-year old girl with a such a powerful smile and such a fighting spirit. Her heart is strong and bright and it radiates everything around her. She is an absolute inspiration to so many people. 

My birthday wish on this day is for people to please take the time to read Elizabeth Yturralde-Cameron's story. A brave 13-year old girl and her battle with cancer. Please share her story with others (it's amazing how far our vibrations can go and spread). But most importantly, realize that every day offers us countless opportunities to love and help someone in need.

ELIZABETH'S FIGHT...

Be there for Elizabeth by helping in her battle with cancer. Support and donate to her fight. Whatever amount you choose to donate big or small it all adds up in the end. Anything is better than nothing...and it truly is not about the amount it is about taking the time to see the reality a what a young girl is facing . By offering support, you will help her to feel and stay strong when she feels weak. You help remind her that her and her life do matter. You may help build up her strength and confidence during the lowest moments of her journey. By your support, you may restore her faith again if it has been lost for a moment. Your actions may help contribute to her finding an inner peace again. There is definitely an amazing process that unfolds, and if you pay attention you will begin to reveal the true meaning of life and what we should really be doing...and that is helping one another.

When life shows us a 13-year old girl with a fighting spirit facing one of the most challenging obstacle she has had to face so far, we must help in someway. We must truly understand the full message and believe anything and everything becomes possible. I love this quote: "Once a heart opens to the other side, it can never completely shut again."

BE A WELL OF STRENGTH, HOPE, AND LOVE for someone who is in the face of a serious illness. Acts of kindness makes wishes come true and miracles unfold. You may be given a gift to witness things go from an obstacle to a miracle and knowing somehow the miracle will show up on the other side of the obstacle. Help me fulfill my birthday prayers and wishes today. We must give Elizabeth's story a voice and wings to fly. Please spread this young girl's story with your friends and try offer support if you can. 

DOFITNESS GIFT...

I am a big believer that tragedy and unfair situations do bring out the goodness in people. I believe that we live in this world to overcome our own struggles-to learn from them, to be more kind to others, to be more loving, and to offer our unique gifts at the RIGHT MOMENT IN TIME AND THE RIGHT WAY.  We all have the power to make a difference, the opportunity to help someone heal and win, and to help bring hope back that will end up helping 15 children by helping and starting with one. 

With all that being said and on behalf of Dofitness Studio, I want to challenge people to step it up. Don't think...JUST DO! So for every amount donated to Elizabeth's fight, Dofitness will match that amount and offer free personal training sessions, an awesome ab challenge program, a customized program design for your specific needs, or nutritional tips- recipes- eating regimens to help you reach your goals. 

If/When you donate, 1.) Please put your full name in the appropriate boxes. 2.) There is a place where you can leave a message that will appear under your name. The message you will type in for this Dofitness Giveaway is "FIGHTING SPIRIT." 3) Contact me by email with your name, your age, and your contact information. My email address is dofitness@gmail.com. You will then be contacted, and you will be set up for your first appointment with love. :)

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to message me on facebook or email me at the above address. I hope you will help me fulfill my birthday prayers and wishes today and help this amazing 13-year old sweet girl named Elizabeth and her journey into the realities of cancer.

ELIZABETH'S SUPPORT PAGE...

http://www.gofundme.com/teamelizabethc

I have put the link above for Elizabeth's support page, if you are interested in getting more information and/or making a donation. 
This wonderful support site was created by an awesome and very selfless family friend, Holly Nystrom Warnol. She has done an amazing job and has filled Elizabeth's page with tons of detailed information, pictures, special messages to help Elizabeth stay strong, post messages from Elizabeth's family, provides encouragement for people to help and pray for this family...and of course, don't let me forget all the countless updates she makes on this page. Awesome person with such a big heart.  

My thoughts and prayers continue strong for Elizabeth and her family and friends. KEEP FIGHTING AND WIN.

MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY...

Pay attention to the cracks. Most things have cracks, that is how light gets in. Never lose hope!
"Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark."
Grace dissolves every challenge we face. What is real in this life IS A LOVE THAT ENDURES. 
SMILE BIG TODAY and have a wonderful day!

Know True Love And True Peace

The MIND- what a powerful tool, but yet a tool that has the power to work against you. The more and more I experience and the more and more I read...the more the message is about trying to have a MIND that is attached to nothing. Your attachments could be leading you in the wrong direction and could be the source of many of your problems. For instance, the NEED to be right, to POSSESS someone or something, to WIN at all costs, to be VIEWED by others as superior...these are all attachments that may seem to be okay on the surface but problematic within.

It is important to understand that in order to release attachments, you must make a shift in HOW YOU VIEW YOURSELF. For example, if your primary identification is with your body and your possessions, your ego is the dominant force in your life. Now this is where it is important...if you can tame your ego sufficiently, you'll call upon your spirit to be the guiding force in your life. As a spiritual being, you can observe your body and be a compassionate witness to your existence. Read the next paragraph and embrace the thought process.

If you think peaceful thoughts, you'll feel peaceful emotions, and that's what you'll bring to every life situation. If your attached to being right or absolutely need something in order to be at peace or to be successful, you'll live a life of striving yet never arriving.

Now understand, it is possible to have a burning desire yet not have attachments. "Infinite patience produces immediate results." Understand that infinite patience implies an absolute certainty that what you would like to manifest will indeed show up, in perfect order, and exactly on time. The immediate result you receive from this inner knowing is a sense of peace.

So say you have been given a choice between TWO MAGIC WANDS. The first wand gives you the power to have any physical thing you desire (guarantee of stuff) by simply waving it. The second wand gives you a sense of peace for the rest of your life regardless of what circumstances arise.

I want you to really take a moment and think about which wand you would choose. This is not a trick question, just be honest with yourself. Remember, there is no wrong answer...this question is just giving you an outlook on every possibility. Like I said there is no wrong answer, but the difference between the two magic wands is that the second wand simply allows you to have a mind that is open to everything but attached to nothing. It allows you to let it all come and go as it will. It is important that you enjoy it all (everything around you), but never make your happiness or success DEPENDENT on an attachment to any thing, any place, and particularly, any person.

They say that in all your relationships, if you can love someone enough to allow them to be exactly what they choose to be-without any expectations or attachments from you- YOU WILL KNOW TRUE PEACE IN YOUR LIFETIME. TRUE LOVE means you love a person for WHAT THEY ARE, NOT FOR  WHAT YOU THINK THEY SHOULD BE....and this is AN ABSENCE OF ATTACHMENT!

Dyer, Wayne. Secrets for Success &  Inner Peace. ppgs. 14-17.

The MOON and JUPITER with the CLOUDS in the NIGHT SKY

This video was taken on Thursday, December 20, 2013 at 1:45 a.m. (cst). I just wanted to share this wonderful moment of interaction between the Moon and Jupiter with the Clouds of the Night Sky. Thanks for checking out this video. I hope you enjoy it.

LOVE WINS

The nature of love is one of the most complex things to comprehend. One of my favorite quotes by Bruce Lee is: "If one loves, one need not have an ideology of love." Instead, love--true love--is a state or condition of being wherein the activities of the self have ceased. And in order to experience this state, an understanding of the workings of the self in all of its many varieties of consciousness is required."

You must think of love as a mutual experience of the body and the mind. When you love you must believe on one level that there is something constant about the body (physical constant) and that this physical constant is inherently and intrinsically enduring and tightly "connected" to what you perceive to be the identity of the person you love, the activity you love, or even the object you love.

However, we do change or better yet...we are change, as it is our ability to change with the change. Bruce Lee referred to this as "the changeless state." In order to have success in the people and things you love you must have its experience transcend your physical body...in order for love to evolve, you must experience the powerful emotional state as well.

In the case that the emotion of love is not present, a state of not being able to change with change results in a changed state, this will often lead to "growing apart." We must allow things in our life to evolve in its natural process, which will bring a truly wonderful experience. We must often remind ourselves not to possess or cling to the physical world.

As mentioned, the physical world is itself illusory, you're engaging in non-reality-based behavior, and this will set you up for failure. Instead allow your experience of love to happen naturally, allowing you to "let go" by not clinging to it, you will find that your relationships, goals, everyday activities will not only become more interesting, but will grow into a very strong unity of body, mind, and spirit.

Love can only exist in an environment that is free of ego--where one has forgotten oneself. To Bruce Lee, one did not have or possess "love" but rather lived the emotion in the present to the fullest possible degree and reveled in the experience of it. When love surrounds you, it becomes a tremendous physical, mental, and spiritual experience.

"Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning, a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep burning and unquenchable."-Bruce Lee

You must value happiness and know that happiness in relationships, family, workplace, everyday activities should be derived, not from a whirlwind that involves an extreme emotional state, but from a more balanced relationship/behavior...remember that true Yin/Yang is expressed through temperance and moderation--not by running to extremes.

"Nothing can be secured by extremes...only sober moderation lasts, and that persists through all time. Only the mid-part of anything is preserved because the pendulum (of life) must have balance, and the mid-part is the balance," says Lee.

So I leave you with this thought...allow life to live through you, remember that to get the most out of life lies simply in your decision to live your life with the principle of balance and to learn to cooperate with the natural patterns of our world. Most importantly, let your career, relationships, and daily activities be harmonious expressions of who you truly are.

With Love, Dofitness
 Little, J. The Warrior Within. 1996. Pgs. 64-67.

Keep Going

The person that achieves the highest vision is the one who has made the most errors along the way. A person must recognize that success is built not on success, but on past mistakes, mishaps, and errors. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, but instead embrace them, move forward, and makes sure not to make the same mistakes again. Never take the shortcut in life, take the long route because it is on this path that you will pick up the most experiences along the way. Learn from each experience good or bad and push forward....GROW and BECOME. 

Permission To Be Yourself And Your Treasure Of Kindness

I would like to share something with you...something that comes from my heart. Think of today as the day to be kind to yourself. It is OK to be you, just as you are. As old, as fat, as lazy, or as tired as you may be. Don't ever doubt yourself and embrace what truly lives inside you. Love what you are and what you can be. The concepts of loving and respecting yourself is so important because it gives you the ability to love and respect others. It is OK to struggle with these concepts, but try to remember and understand the positive outcome it will have on YOU AND ON OTHERS. This leads to the next idea I want to share with you...PRACTICING RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS.

The purpose of doing acts of KINDNESS for NO REASON makes us feel good inside and makes others feel even better. It reaffirms our connection with one another and adds to the light in the world. Remember, an act of kindness is so easy to do...putting a quarter in a stranger's parking meter takes less than minute, BUT gives a great burst of JOY. It feels so good inside to be kind for no reason. I also believe that being a kind person gives you inner strength and makes your heart stronger. So today, be a kindness angel and do something nice for ANYBODY!

Ryan, M.J. Instant Health and Happiness Boosters. ppgs. 135, 136.

You Are Strong Enough

"Problems are a sign of life. So the more problems you have the more alive you are." -Norman Vincent Peale

As the late great minister points out, problems are endemic to the human condition. No one escapes. The trick is to use whatever problem, difficulty, or hardship you are facing as a vehicle for spiritual and emotional growth. It isn't always easy, and it isn't always possible to do in the moment, but there are always hidden blessings in difficult situations, and when we discover them, we REDEEM OUR SUFFERING. We make meaning out of tragedy and grow more loving, compassionate, patient, and kind as a consequence.

The people I admire the most all say that they are grateful for the hard things they faced because of these opportunities for growth: a heart attack that reconnected them to their feelings, cancer that forced them to slow down, financial difficulties that taught them resilience.

Think about the most challenging thing you are facing right now. How is it an opportunity for you to grow your soul?

Ryan, M.J. Instant Health and Happiness. Pg. 306.

Where Does Your Inspiration Come From

It can be very difficult to stay motivated due to obstacles and challenges you face each and every day....UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS HOW LIFE WORKS! But, YOU must believe that you have what it takes to overcome any obstacle or challenge.

Look around you...there is inspiration and motivation all around you. You must be able to recognize it and apply it to your life. People come in and out of our life everyday....some stay for awhile, while others are there for a short time. Try to learn from others and through your experiences (good and bad). Each experience, relationship, and challenge will shape you and push  you to get motivated or inspire you to overcome difficulties.

You will come across people that have overcome seemingly impossible difficulties, people who follow their dreams into uncharted territory, people who rise to incredible heights of achievement and success.

Everyone has a story and EVERYONE has overcome something. Tell your story and always be yourself...you get INSPIRATION from one person and then you are an inspiration to another person. It is quite a fascinating pattern.

Never stop searching for your spiritual fulfillment, creative expression, and deep satisfaction in life.

That Little Darkroom Where Negatives Are Developed

FEAR DEFENDING FEAR DEFENDING FEAR DEFENDING FEAR-AND INSIDE: NOTHING...

We tend to avoid all things and thoughts that might produce a sense of fear in our life. FEAR: False Expectations Appearing Real. And for the most part, fear is not real, instead it is our mind imagining something awful will happen. According to Aristotle, Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of evil.

But instead FEAR is one of the great jokes of existence. When people have the courage to move forward and journey into the center of their fear, they find...NOTHING. The terror was only layers and layers of fear, being afraid of itself. 

NOTE TO SELF: FEAR IS THAT LITTLE DARKROOM WHERE NEGATIVES ARE DEVELOPED.

CREATE...LOVE...HOPE

THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE... 

There is a story behind everything. How a picture got on your wall, how a scar got on your knee. Sometimes the stories are sweet and simple; sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking. That is truly what life is all about...the good and the bad...the pain and the pleasure. You can't experience one without the other, both play a role in shaping who you are and what you'll become. 

DON'T EVER GIVE UP ON YOUR HOPE. Even when it gets dark, the stars come out. 
STAY STRONG!

Follow The Rhythm Within Your Heart

In the book HAPPINESS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS, the author Dennis Prager points out a sure-fire formula for misery: U=I-R, which stands for Unhappiness equals Image-Reality. 

What he means is that the more we have a set idea or image of how something will be, the more we will be disappointed by the reality of what is. For example, we have an image of the way a relationship should be or we have an image of the way our bodies should look like after so many hours in the gym (looking for a different body type from our own), and ours doesn't measure up. 

We have an image of what our lives are supposed to be like by the time we are forty, and we fall short. The more we create an image, the more we get in our way of appreciating what is and the more we set ourselves up for unhappiness.

Do you find yourself falling into this trap? The best way to begin is to recognize it and then change your way of thinking. Life is too short. With honesty, passion and self-respect you can soar beyond the sky. Don't follow what you see, but instead follow the rhythm within your heart. 

Ryan, M.J. Instant Health and Happiness. Pg. 265.

Dofitness Fun Moments

Another Training Day In The Dofitness World. Hard Work, Spirit, And Fun...These Things Make Up Fun Moments At Dofitness Training Studio. Everyone Have A Wonderful Weekend.

-Love Always,
Dofitness

IN THAT MOMENT

One of my favorite scenes in the movie, "Over The Top." For me this scene goes so much deeper (I can feel his emotions and his WILL TO WIN...ESPECIALLY FROM WITHIN). I look beyond just seeing Sylvester Stallone competing against a man that drinks a can of oil to "rev up." Lol. Or seeing him go up against someone much bigger than him to make it to the championship event. It is seeing someone completely transform for that moment (tapping into his true inner self deep within)...and witnessing all the hard work, practices, emotions, blood, tears, training all for that one moment. Literally witnessing all his emotions put out on the table. The mind and body working together to complete the task at hand. 

Like one of the greatest arm wrestler, Allen Fisher, once said, “When you’re in a competition, you don’t hear the people screaming. I shut off everything, and I’m just there in the moment. I’m listening for ‘Ready, g-.’ I don’t even hear the whole word ‘go.’ I train for ‘g-.’ You have to train your mental state all the time. It’s like how muscles have memory, and they know what you do. So you have to do things over and over until they become second nature. Well, your mind is the same thing. You have to train your mind to know your move, to not go into second thoughts, and to think like a champion. Mentally, you’ve got to be beyond everything. You’ve got to stay totally focused.”

Try, Try Again

Here is a lesson you should take notice of,

A lesson you should take to heart,

Try, try again;

If at first you don't succeed,

Try, try again;

It is then that your courage should appear,

For, if you will persevere,

You will conquer, and never fear, 

So Try, try again;

 Believe that one day you will see THE TRUTH.

SUBCONSCIOUS MIND

"Recognizing the influence of my subconscious mind over my power of will, I shall take care to submit to it a clear and definite picture of my major purpose in life and all minor purposes leading to my major purpose, AND I SHALL KEEP THIS PICTURE CONSTANTLY BEFORE MY SUBCONSCIOUS MIND BY REPEATING IT DAILY!!!!"  -Bruce Lee

Apply this to your everyday world.

Trust Your Happiness

Do you, somewhere in the dark recesses of your heart, believe that you don't deserve to be happy? When you are thinking of this question, be honest with yourself. Or that you can't trust happiness because the universe is an unfriendly place out to get you? Is it difficult for you to appreciate what you have because you are afraid of losing it?

The truth is that no one deserves to be happy more than you. And believe it or not, happiness is available to each of us in every single moment, no matter what is happening, if we just make a commitment to it over and over again. Allow yourself to trust in happiness and you will experience an ever flowing stream.

Ryan, M.J. Instant Health and Happiness. Pg. 273.
Always Thinking Of You Mom :)

It Doesn't Have To Be Hard

Where did so many of us get the idea if we are too happy, something terrible is going to happen? We can't enjoy ourselves, can't let out guard down because we think that being hyper vigilant will protect us. It's magical thinking to believe that we can ward off disaster by not being too happy.

As the great philosopher Epictetus reminds us, "When considering the future, remember that all situations unfold as they do regardless of how we feel about them." We can exercise caution and care, we can plan and scheme, but to a great extent, life unfolds on a grander scale than all our scheming. Worry will do nothing to change the outcome.

It doesn't have to be hard. It's OK if it is easy.

Ryan, M.J. Instant Health and Happiness. Pg. 315.