By Daneen James 

My family and I love watching the Olympics. Track and field, gymnastics, and swimming are some of our favorite events. The athletes amaze me. Their dedication is unrivaled. They challenge themselves in unimaginable ways for the chance to compete and do what they love. 

Give it all.
Have you ever wanted anything that badly? It’s courageous when you think about it. To put it all on the line, challenge yourself without excuse or exception, and channel your energy in a such a singular, solitary way.  
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If we're honest. 
That’s exactly what living well requires. In order to experience the best from life, we must be willing to become our best. It comes down to actions not words.  Admittedly, I haven’t always been willing to extend myself. Instead I just meandered through life, content not to be pushed or pinned down by anyone or anything. But overtime, such a superficial and shallow existence was no longer sufficient or satisfying. I wanted more, not more stuff, more substance.  
 
Extraordinary is available.
So often we settle for a “good enough” life. We don’t contemplate, or worse yet, even expect amazing in our work and relationships. We tell ourselves it’s unrealistic. Culture would have us believe that exceptional is few and far between and great isn’t always attainable. But what if the world is wrong? What if the passion, fulfillment, and significance we imagine is not only accessible, but it’s fundamentally the life intended for us?  When we align with our creator and endeavor to be everything, He created us to be, we can experience extraordinary, on every level, in every aspect of our life.

Are you ready? 
There is nothing that God doesn’t improve or elevate. There’s no area of our world that eludes His influence. So, if we desire to live our best life, shouldn’t it begin with him? Determine to put God at the forefront and center of everything you do. Decide that pleasing Him is paramount. Be convinced that He’s worthy to Lord your life, not because of what you’ll get, but because of all He gave. Make God your reason, rather than the means to your end. When you do, He will come alive in your life in ways that blow your mind.  Are you ready?

Consider this prayer:  
 Father, I want you. Show me what you want from me. Help me please you. Help me bring you glory. 
 
Reflect:

• No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." I Corinthians 2:9  
• Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously and He will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33

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For more inspiring messages:
Book Daneen as a speaker:
https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html 

Watch a video: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RFNfg-fuOM

Connect, subscribe and receive updates about Daneen's upcoming book:  https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html 

Shop the SPARKSAFLAME Store:  
​https://www.daneenjames.com/shop.html


Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting
products and media through her company, SPARKSAFLAME.

You might also enjoy: 
https://www.daneenjames.com/blog/keep-it-fresh ​

By Daneen James 

When Dreams Don't Come True 
You can be whatever you want. If you believe it you can achieve it. Dreams come true. If it’s to be, then it’s up to me. If at first you don’t succeed, then try, try again. The race is not given to the swift, but to the one who endures to the end. I’m sure you’ve heard some, if not all of these phrases. Motivational marvels meant to encourage and propel us forward. As time passes, however, they can become piercing reminders of what wasn’t done and the dreams that weren’t realized.  We may still repeat the words, even say them to others. But we secretly think, that ship has sailed.
 
Making Space
Now that I’ve sufficiently sucked all the air out of the room and created such a positive and upbeat mood…let me explain. Life has a way of beating you up. We start off hopeful, blooming with potential. Brimming with the beauty of possibility. Then little by little we lose our luster. Disappointment and disillusion can replace our optimistic outlook. We can become frustrated and resentful that the life we wanted, even deserved, may be out of reach. We’d could never stand to admit it and instead camouflage our feelings in pretense and indifference. Resigning ourselves to a routine existence that never allows us to want or expect more. 
 
My Life, But Not For Me
I can relate. Life seems cruel and limited unless we understand that our life is not for us, but for the one who made us. We’ll stumble around flustered and angry until we’re willing to forgo what we had in mind and accept His plan for our lives. I tried to do it my way.  Never really considered or recognized the importance of asking what God wanted from me. But after continually coming up short, I was just tired of fighting. There had to be another way. Open and willing to try life differently, I was ready to say yes to God.
 
Yes, Means Progress
Saying yes to God means He has the final say in everything I do. Whether I want to, feel like it or disagree, I follow Him. It means trusting that He loves me, without exception. No matter what it seems like, I know He always acts to make me better, stronger and bring me closer to Him. Because the closer, I am to him, the more fulfilling my life will be. When I let Him lead my life, I experience His promises, which far exceed anything I’ve read or heard.  They sustain and elevate me in ways I could never imagine or create on my own.
 
Many of us are frustrated because of what our life is not. But if we’re willing to shift our perspective and open ourselves to ask, God what do you want from me and my life?  We’ll find our way to the significance we crave and the fulfillment we seek. 

Reflect 

• All things exist and were created by your will God. Worthy are you to receive glory and honor and power. Revelation 4:11
• If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want and it will be granted. This brings great glory to my Father. John 15:7-8
• God owns the spiritual and physical part of you. What a high price He paid. So let people see God in and through your body. I Corinthians 6: 19-20

​
For more inspiring messages:
Book Daneen as a speaker:
https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html 

Watch a video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RFNfg-fuOM

Connect and sign up to receive updates about Daneen's upcoming book:
https://www.daneenjames.com/contact.html 

Shop the SPARKSAFLAME Store:
https://www.daneenjames.com/shop.html


Daneen James is an inspirational author, speaker and develops uplifting
products and media through her company, SPARKSAFLAME. 

You might also enjoy:
​https://www.daneenjames.com/blog/live-your-light

By Daneen James