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Make Your Own Path

Make Your Path/Stephanie DelTorchio/befat.net/motivation/inspiration/positive quote

If only life was as easy as following a set of pre-printed directions to your perfect future. No pitfalls. No boo-boos. No one-step back, two step forward motions. How lovely and carefree a thought.

Well, it ain’t so simple.

Many of us spend our entire lives waiting for the easy way out — looking for a sign, a step-by-step instruction book, a “smarter” person.

Where’s my hallelujah, AHA moment? you ask.

Life isn’t about taking the short cut.

Life isn’t about knowing all the answers upfront.

Life isn’t a test you cram for or cheat on.

Sometimes it’s a grudge match. A mud wrestle. A pain in the ass.

“When you find your path, you must not be afraid. You need to have sufficient courage to make mistakes. Disappointment, defeat and despair are the tools God uses to show us the way.” Paulo Coehlo

You’ve got to pick your subjects wisely. And, by the way, nobody said you aren’t allowed to get bored or change your mind. Variety and renewal and multiple interests are the world’s gifts for your picking. Take another one. Yeah, you can. You know you want to.

Your path may be covered in brambles and stones, waiting for you to clear it. A nice and neat wide path is somebody else’s vision. Stop looking for the one that is perfectly carved.

And wisely, don’t be easily led down a path by someone who proclaims: “THIS WAY is THE WAY”. Be cautious. Ask questions. There is no one-size-fits-all path.

It’s your future. You must find the way — your way. Step by step.

My two cents, for what it’s worth: Wear sensible shoes.

BE F*CKING AWESOME TODAY!

Original graphic and quote: Stephanie DelTorchio

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Get A Move On

Martha Graham quote on movement/Stephanie DelTorchio/befat.net/inspiration/motivation

In seven decades as a dancer and choreographer, Martha Graham, a pioneer of modern dance, created 181 ballets.

“I believe that we learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same. In each, it is the performance of a dedicated precise set of acts, physical or intellectual, from which comes shape of achievement, a sense of one’s being, a satisfaction of spirit.” — Martha Graham

Practice dancing. Or practice living. It’s the same thing.

BE F*CKING AWESOME TODAY!

Original graphic: Stephanie DelTorchio

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The Argument You Make

The Argument You Make/inspirational quote/motivational quote/Stephanie DelTorchio/befat.net

Taking a stand, pleading for your case, making a point…lucky are we to have the freedom to stand up for our convictions.

Remember when we do this — narrow our focus, close our minds, draw lines (build walls?) — we are bound by the limitations of our thinking.

Today, give yourself the gift of open-mindedness.

BE F*CKING AWESOME TODAY!

Original graphic and quote: Stephanie DelTorchio

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Be Cooperative Today

Life requires your full cooperation

Waking up is only the beginning. To make something magical happen today you’ve got to first get your ass out of bed. Then don’t fight against yourself or anybody else. Play nice.

BE F*UCKING AWESOME TODAY!

Original graphic: Stephanie DelTorchio

A Map Is A Good Idea

Yogi Berra quote/befat.net/Stephanie DelTorchio/inspirational quote/motivational quote

A road map is a good idea when you don’t know the journey by heart.

Having a co-pilot is a choice when you want to share the journey. A reliable source who shares your vision and looks out for dangerous curves and potholes can save you time and money.

Being a “panster” means you take the road as it comes and make it up as you go along. No map. No true destination. No end zone.

It’s exciting to live this way — open, rogue, fearless — so long as you’re okay where you land. Someday.

BE F*CKING AWESOME TODAY!

Original graphic: Stephanie DelTorchio

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We Make It Happen Little By Little – NaNoWriMo

Life is a battle of inches. Inspiring quote. Motivational quote. Stephanie DelTorchio befat.net

NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is an annual novel writing project that brings together professional and amateur writers from all over the world. The CHALLENGE: Write a 50,000 word novel in a MONTH. The GOAL: Survive the challenge.

On November 1st I jumped into the writing “craze” known as #NaNoWriMo — National Novel Writing Month. This is the Olympics for writers from all over the world — beginners to accomplished — who accept the challenge to write a novel, roughly 50,000 words, in a month.

For the past few years I’ve toyed with joining but each year withdrew at the last minute. This time I’m walking the walk. Wish me luck, okay?

I have the germ of an idea. And that’s about all. I’m not 100% sure of the one-liner; a complete sentence that conveys the story. Here goes (and note it WILL change):

Three estranged generations of a dysfunctional family take a road trip on the 50th anniversary of Woodstock to find the woman that connects them.

You’re Perfectly Aligned

3 signs that you're perfectly alighned today/inspirational quote/Stephanie DelTorchio/befat.net

On any given day we get crabby. Life has handed us a boatload of lemons and we’re in no mood to make the lemonade.

Rather, if no one is looking, or f*ck, even if “they” are, you’d be well within your right to hurl those lemons at the first moving object that tells you “every little thing’s gonna be alright.”

But let’s be reasonable humans a second. Physical violence doesn’t become us. Normally.

Today, take a quick assessment of the world around. Go on…you know the drill. You are blessed with…FILL IN THE Blah-blah-blah. Maybe on THIS DAY you’re not feeling the universal hug of all you possess.

No problem.

Be Kind To Strangers

A. A. Milne quote/kindness quote/Stephanie DelTorchio/befat.net

The old man, wearing ratty loose pants and a coat with questionable stains, dug through recycling containers looking for bottles and cans to redeem for a nickel. He went about his work methodically from house to house. Tossing the occasional bottle or can into a large trash bag.

His rust bucket of a car with its bumper held in place with duct tape didn’t exactly fit into the neighborhood. On this street, these kinds of visitors are rare — they stand out.

We have no idea the struggles of a stranger. Instead of creating an imaginary story about what their life must be like, today, when you come into contact with a stranger, be the first one to smile. Such a small random gesture might pivot their entire day for the better.

A woman ventured from her home and tightened the belt on her coat as she walked to the end of the driveway. She approached the man hovering over her recycling bin, and her sudden presence caught him off-guard. Holding up her hands, she smiled to let him know everything was okay.

“Do like turkey?” she asked.

“What?” the old man said, pointing to his ear.

She nodded. Ah, yes…This time she asked in a louder voice, sure to move her lips slowly in a way he could understand.

“Turkey? Do – you – like – turkey?”

“Yes,” he said. His tone was quick and crisp but not offensive.

She motioned for him to wait.

When she disappeared, he continued digging through a neighbor’s bin.

A few minutes later the woman returned with a filled grocery bag — sliced deli turkey and cheese, a loaf of bread and some cookies. She handed it to the man and patted his arm.

He thanked her, put the food in his car and carried on with his work day.

By now his trash bag bulged from a neighborhood where they tossed money out like trash, one nickel at a time.

A few houses down the street, the old man was approached by a gentleman about his own age. The man smiled, opened his wallet and handed over a folded twenty dollar bill.

“Son, I want you to get yourself a nice hot lunch.”

“What?” the man said.

“A hot lunch.”

“Okay. I will.”

Sweet, right?

But this “bum” old man is a retired gentleman who could probably buy and sell that neighborhood. He’s old-school frugal and a supporter of free enterprise. He owns a state-of-the-art hearing aide but refuses to wear it while he’s “working” because people interrupt his rhythm. Collecting cans? Well, to him, it’s a way to stay busy and stick it to the government — eight grand a year tax-free. The old car? He’s not about to litter his “nice new car” with bottles and cans most people don’t bother to rinse out.

For the rest of the week he enjoyed turkey and cheese sandwiches for lunch. And let me know that the $20 went to someone who really needed it.

BE F*CKING AWESOME TODAY!

Original graphic: Stephanie DelTorchio

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Thank Yourself Today

Thank Yourself/positive quote/self-love quote/motivational quote/inspirational quote/Stephanie DelTorchio/befat.net

Today will you please be gentle and cut yourself some slack?

Listen my darlings, we live in a crazy world. Every day we’re bombarded by external obstacles — big shit and little shit. Remember the difference? Let the little ones go. Accept that the big ones will swallow you whole…unless… you understand that you cannot carry the world for long before it breaks you into pieces.

As beautiful and glorious and magical as LIFE is, it comes with some pretty shitty fine print….

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No amount of worry or self-beating is going to fix the problem. Do the best you can with the knowledge you have and then cast your care. Write down what’s eating at you. Then rip it up. Or burn it. Or charge yourself one dollar every time you speak or think about it. (I could have traveled around the world had I done this one.)

It’s taken years but I finally gave up on the “little”. Such a friggin’ waste of time. And now I recognize the BIG. And guess what? I can’t do squat about the BIG.