Your Turn: Today and every day, remind yourself as often as you can to “give it all you have while you have the chance.” If you have the “Challenge Life…Living My Dreams” bracelet, use this as a reminder each time you notice it on your wrist. Let down any walls that hold you back and give it all you can– the chance may not come again.

Your Affirmation: I recognize the opportunity I am blessed with each day, and I give each opportunity my all.

Your Affirmation: Each moment I am present and conscious of life’s many treasures.

Your turn: Today, I challenge you to evaluate the history you are weaving into the lives of others. What gifts are you giving from the heart? Are you making each day and interaction count? If not, try it for the rest of this week and notice how wonderful you feel.

Your affirmation: Every day I share and weave positive energy into the lives of others.

However, like attracts like, and when we behave like this we then attract “half-hearted efforts” from those around us. The cycle continues until we find ourselves with a weight on our shoulders and a heaviness in our hearts.

When we give the best of ourselves, regardless of anyone’s behavior, we enjoy a richer life. Likewise, we set an example for our children, friends and all we come into contact with. We encourage others to be at their best. When we live by the creed of always doing and giving our best, we know a personal peace that can’t be found through any quick-fix method. We know a personal peace that is lasting.

Your Turn: Take a moment today to release any negativity you have been holding toward another person. Take the energy you have been focusing on their behavior, and redirect it to focus on doing and giving your best.

Your Affirmation: I focus all of my energies on what is productive, helpful and makes a difference.

Truly internalizing that we “are born for a specific reason and purpose” means that we must embrace life, versus hide from it. We must get up sometimes, when we would rather lay down. We must bounce back at times when we aren’t feeling resilient. We must risk sometimes when we would rather hide. That isn’t an easy job to accept.

Many people choose to play the victim. “Surely, my purpose has been stripped form me after all of life’s turmoil.” Still others do not want a purpose. Leave the purpose-driven stuff to someone else, they think. You will recognize these people from their negativity or their numbness. They often lack passion for life and all the gifts that can be found within. They are too scared to challenge life, so they convince themselves that those “purposes” and “rewards” are for “everyone else.” Hiding from our own purpose is a double-edged sword. While we minimize the risks we take and the bruises we get, we are left with a gnawing ache for “something more” in our lives.

The word “purpose” can be misleading. Obviously we aren’t all going to be Martin Luther Kings, Mother Theresa or Einstein. That doesn’t make our purpose any less important. Each of us has something distinct to contribute while we are here. It is something only we can give. And each gift, whether small, medium or large by whatever measure you use – impacts the world for eternity.