Yesterday I celebrated my birthday.  And the past year leading up to my birthday, I've been thinking a lot about all of the things I've accomplished, all the things I've learned, mistakes I've made, people I've known, people I've lost and how time is dwindling away slowly but surely.  It's brought me to a revelation, it's something I've heard before but now I feel and believe it with every fiber of my being. It is no longer a cliche but something that has become my daily affirmation and my life mantra:

NOTHING LASTS FOREVER. . . 

No matter how much we want something to last or how tight we try and hold on- nothing lasts forever: 

• If you're struggling with an issue or going through a rough patch it will NOT last forever even though things might seem hopeless at the time, trust me in a month or two or definitely by this time next year- you won't even remember why you were so stressed. We often blow  things totally out of proportion and we end up distracted and doubtful. Let it go, learn from it and move on!
  

• Life goes on and often it does so without those we love. People breakup, divorce happens, friendships fade and the hardest of all is death. The people in our life are not ours to keep indefinitely. That is why it is important to love people when you have the chance, tell them how you feel and just enjoy the moments you share. Those moments might add up to 30 years or 3 months. . .you never know. . . so just live, laugh and love while you can.
  

• Our time is limited and none of us know the exact hour that we could take our last breath, which is why it is critical to not waste time on things, people and places that don't matter. Dream big and work hard to leave a legacy for those who come after you! But do it now, we've got to stop procrastinating or waiting for the "right time". Start taking steps today that will get you where you need to be tomorrow! 
  

I don't have many fears.  Except of dogs charging at me, frogs, rats or snakes touching me and recently airplane turbulence has started to make me all kinds of anxious.  So maybe I have a few.

But outside of that, I'm just not generally a fearful person. Suspicious yes. Fearful no. However I've recently discovered a hidden fear. . .a fear that has actually kept me driven all these years and I didn't even know it. 

The fear of mediocrity.  Mediocrity is defined as, "the quality or state of being mediocre." Mediocre is defined as, "of moderate quality, not very good."  In other words: AVERAGE.  Nothing special. Blah. Bleh. Meh.

That truly terrifies me.  I've lived on this planet for four and a half decades (hopefully many more to come) and I should just be plain, ordinary and nothing special??  I don't think so! My goal is excellence and even when I fall short, I feel I've learned, grown and experienced so much that my time here was definitely worthwhile. 

I know I am not the only person guilty of looking at Instagram and coveting things I see. Whether it's a cool outfit, a trip to a fabulous place or even a maple bacon glazed doughnut.

And sometimes this covetous behavior can lead us to comparing our own lives or what we perceive as a "lack" of something to those people we follow on Instagram (or other social media sites).

Know this: every post you see on social media is well orchestrated (for the most part) people take photos to share the BEST of their day. If they are having a great hair day, cute outfit or awesome meal they take photos to memorialize it and perhaps strike up a little envy. But that is not their life EVERY SINGLE DAY.  And so what if it is? Have you looked around at your own life lately? Take stock of what's awesome about your own life and even if you aren't documenting it for the world to see, be grateful and cherish those moments instead of wishing you had someone else's life. Focus on your own paper! Not to mention, anyone can buy a maple bacon glazed doughnut! 

I think the concept of social media is wonderful. I think how some people use social media is horrible.  I believe it was conceived to connect people all over the world and to allow people to share information instantly. 

But it has become more of a platform for people to hide behind anonymity and tear down others online. As well as a place for people to create a faux life that others want to emulate. 

The problem? Some of us are too attached to social media and too concerned about getting "likes" and comments as if it some how validates us in real life. I think we need to take a step back and put the whole idea of being social in perspective:

1. While there are some genuine connections made online, the majority are not real and those people aren't paying your salary or your bills. Stop spending so much time online looking for validation. 

2. Spend face to face time with your family and actual friends. They are the ones who matter.

3. Re-examine your reasons for being on social media. Is it to make connections? Build a customer base? Sell products? Focus on what you're trying to achieve and don't let social media consume your life. 

Whenever we're faced with change in our life it is a natural reflex to resist but change is inevitable and if you don't accept it and adapt you won't survive.  Here are a few tips for embracing change:

1. Don't take it personal.- Most of the time when something changes you aren't the only one affected, so stop making yourself a victim. Look at the big picture and understand that at the end of the day it has absolutely nothing to do with you. 

2.  Make it work to your advantage.- Think about how the change could benefit you, make it work for you instead of against you. 

3. Don't worry.- Change is NOT the end of the world, so don't stress too much because the situation or condition won't last forever. . .things will change again!