"I'm so excited!"

"You got this"

"Yes! It's almost over. Wait...not yet? Omg that was only the half point!"

" I want this to be over!"

"Ugh why'd I do this"

" I am more than a conqueror. I can do this. I trained for this. Just think how good Boiling Crab is going to taste."

" My hip...my knee.  I want to stop."

" Yessssss! I did it! Whoa! That was good!"

These are the incremental thoughts and sentiments I had last Saturday when I ran my first 15k Double Road Race. It's a new style of racing that provides an extra challenge for runners because you're essentially running 2 events in 1 day; a 10k=6.2 miles and then a 5k=3.1 which are separated by a mandatory recovery period.

The challenge comes during the second leg, after the recovery because your body has been resting and really believes its done with gruesome long distance running. To its suprise, you have to get back up and finish out the race. Now, I've been preparing for the race for about 6 weeks,  but there's nothing like race day. New environment,  different altitude, the distraction of hundreds of other people around you. It was challenging but so enlightening. Not only was I proud,  but I placed 4th in my age division. Beyond the metal, there was so much gratitude for the journey getting to the finish line.

Physical fitness is more than an important activity for health and aesthetics (if thats your focus). It is the most simple test of mental strength. You get to see what type of person you are when things get tough, when you want to quit or when you're finding it difficult to just to keep moving.

How you speak to yourself really determines your beliefs, your faith and how healthy your relationship with yourself is. Do you speak words of encouragement and affirmation?  Do you speak words of defeat? Do you focus on the unknown fearing for or worrying about the worse?

How do you love on yourself in the quiet, lonely amd intimate moments with yourself? Are you gentle? Do you speak power into yourself like you would do another?

Tuesday is deemable as #transformationtuesday across social networks,  so today I ask, how can your mind be transformed? How can your relationship with yourself be transformed?

Despite the fact that my race was challenging,  I would absolutely do it again! There were so many times I wanted to walk but I chose not to. Even if I slowed my pace, I was not going to quit. I was so proud of myself,  I decided I would run a half marathon in November.

"The true measure of a (wo) man is not where (s) he stands in times of comfort and convenience but where (s) he stands at times of challenge controversy"- MLK

Stand strong. Do something that takes you out of your comfort zone. Whether big or small, physical or not, test yourself!

BE Strong. BE Transformed~
By: Tiffany W.

You have a moral and spiritual obligation to share your gifts and walk in your purpose.  Like...it's a REEEAAAALLLY big deal.

Think about it. Have you ever watched an interview of your favorite entertainer, leader, motivational speaker, athlete or entrepreneur?  If so, do you notice when asked about how they got a point of notariety or even into their line of work, they often respond along the lines of " I'm not different than anyone else."

They are human but realise they found the answer to a common problem, fear and it's cousin, doubt. They realized that their great idea, vision, or passion really paved a road to understanding their purpose here on Earth. They tapped into it, developed it and shared with others. Now becaus3 they shared, you have someone to look up to and admire. What if they never shared?

It's not to say you have to or even need to be a well known person to make a difference with your gift,  passions, and purpose. You just have to BE You and share. Its imperative because
1. You never know who's life you can absolutely transform
2. You never know who will take away key memories of the realness of your work, speech, invention,  business,  story, etc.
3. The more you give, the more you receive
4. You will a sense of peace and joy like no other
5. The service we provide to others is the price we pay while occupying this planet
6. You, your vision,  your story, your experience,  your talent matters

So if you're keeping something inside of you, you should really work on letting it go. Creative talents, great ideas, a book, a movie, or any talent,  you HAVE to share,  enthusiasticslly, authentically,  and without expectation.

If you need any tips, feel free to email me beyou@livethebelife.com

BE You~
By: Tiffany W.

Today young spirit bird, Willow Smith, released a song entitled 8. The song, title making reference to her numerology Life Path number, explores the importance of identity, security and confidence. It's a rather interesting topic to be sung by a 13 year old because most teens and even those "adults" up to their mid-twenties are more concerned with abiding by societal expectations rather than living as individuals.

When most songs nowadays are talking about bottles, twerkin, poppin, flippin, partying and living a careless yet "wealth inflated" lives, she's singing about one thinking twice before creating images on social media that are not indicative of your true lives; letting go of obsessions over materials things and learning the importance of understanding the truths of life.

I find the song to be potentially transformational for many. Whereas most entertainers feed the idea of projecting false images, this will hopefully plant a seed of enlightenment for those who listen to the song and grow to love it. A mental renewal is so necessary in our society. People are spending money to create images of themselves that do not exists. Women and men alike are investing in cosmetic surgery to satisfy ideas of perfection, when in actuality no matter how high or low your confidence is, your spirit is dead and you will continue to live a life of dissatisfaction.

Living your life for the mere attention of or pleasure of others leads to a lonely life. People will be attached to an image of  you that does not exists, and this can in turn truly cause loneliness because you will get to a point of frustration when you cannot be yourself. Living a life to strive for perfection for the mere satisfaction of others is the antithesis of self love. Enjoy life. It's okay to love fashion, music, and the YOLO mentality, but the only truth that matters is that, which is reflected in your mind during silent times, when no is around; when silence forces you to reflect and answer to yourself.

True happiness and satisfaction starts with you; loving you and knowing you. Whether on social media or in real life, when you find yourself having second thoughts about just being authentic, ignore it. Just BE You. At the end of the day, there's power in who you are.

BE You~
Written by: Tiffany W.

There is value in history. There is emotion in history. There are lessons in history. So from now on, I'm going to participate in my own version of Throwback Thursday. Honoring events, people, movies, music of the past that in someway or another represents the BE! core value: Self Love.

Today's feature is none other than Lady Day herself, Billie Holliday. Billie Holiday is one of the most pivotal icons in music, blues and jazz. She had an iconic voice, and graceful stage presence, always known for wearing a fresh Gardenia in her hair and was popular between the 1930's-1950's.

Billie had her challenges, as we all do, but she resonated a strength that could only come from pain and heartache. Her songs celebrated the ups & downs of love and life. She was the epitome of the Blues. In life, there's no such thing as perfection. Challenges will arise, as well as sadness, but the greatest strength is to find a reason to celebrate life, love yourself despite the imperfections, do you and BE you. When I was young, I was obsessed with her famous song, "Ain't Nobody's Business." Which is basically an ode to her living her own life, not giving 2 cents about your opinion. Whether she gave all her man her money, he beat her, she went out Saturday and to church on Sunday, her life was her prerogative. Now of course, some of the message isn't the most healthy or fully reflective a total love of one's mind, body and spirit, but the level of tenacity of understanding, accepting, and being satisfied to a certain degree with your own life decisions, is a major lesson that many of us attempt to understand. Amongst her many popular songs was also her rendition of the poem, Strange Fruit, and emotional piece of work about the lynching of a man. The soul that emanates from her voice, is nothing short of powerful. When anyone gives of themselves, to impact others, that is Love. There is no greater manifestation of love than the gifts you give to others.  As many creative spirits, it was easier for the Lady to shine her heart thru her art as opposed to seeing the light in her life. She unfortunately took her own life, but her legacy and message to Love you and your life no matter what others think, is a powerful message that will never go out of style! We love you Lady Day!

BE You~

Written By:Tiffany W.