If we ever stop and take a look at what is really stopping us from achieving the greatness we feel inside of us, it's that damn voice in our heads going on about how we are not good enough, we don't deserve it, it's too hard, we don't have enough?BLA BLA BLA! Overcoming this can be a challenge and a half! And it's the same mind that gives us all the inspiration and ability to make those great achievements?what gives? It must just be part of how we are designed, we all have our own mountains to climb and demons to overcome, yet they will always be there I believe. So, why bring this up, you ask? Well, in climbing my own mountains, judging by the roller coaster ride I am on, I figure everyone has their own as well, and if we can learn from one another what works and what doesn't, we all come out ahead.

You want to know a secret? The Mountain of LIFE has no summit! Imagine climbing a mountain without a top!! You don't even have to imagine, that's what you are already doing! Grab a hold of this reality and see how your perspective changes. There are ALWAYS going to be problems, obstacles, challenges. No magic fairly la-la land'it wasn't designed that way?this is it! So what choice do we have other than to enjoy the never-ending process! Of course, it is a choice.

There is so much information and knowledge out there, on everything imaginable. How do we know what to listen to, what to follow? It all comes down to how we feel. If we listen and learn to trust our own gut intuition about something, whatever it is, we will be ok. Sounds simple enough, but most of us don't do this. Many of us follow along blindly without ever thinking for ourselves. Learning to trust our own feelings is huge!

For those of us who are into personal development and living successfully, we are constantly working to improve ourselves. I had a pretty interesting realization recently, that undoubtedly many others have had too, that we are already perfect just the way we are. Sure, we all have aspects of our lives that we would like to improve: health, finances, relationships, and the like. For me, I felt like I was chasing something that I didn't have already, just running after a dream as if I lacked something I didn't have right now.

What it all really comes down to is feeling good inside, and this can be a different experience for all of us. Obviously what feels good to one person may not to another. This is why it is important that we are totally in tune with ourselves and do things that make us feel good, whatever they may be.

There are infinite definitions of success. To me, success is being happy and feeling good inside all of the time, regardless of what my outside circumstances are. I believe this is the ultimate destination for this eternal train of life we are all riding. Embrace and enjoy the ride, because this is it!

What's our greatest challenge in this game of life? Hands down, it's this battle of mind. The longer we stay in the game, the better we get at playing it. What makes the winners? Persistence and perseverance alone rule. This is the way it has always been, and the way it will always be. Everyone has significant challenges, duh I know, not telling you anything new and profound here. The ones who make their dreams come true, whatever they are, are the ones who stick it out, no matter what.

We all go through times and moments where we just want to say screw this, and throw in the towel, and sometimes we do. Other times, no matter how bleak things look, or how tough things get, we can still feel the tiniest glimmer of faith, a sliver so small and faint that it is barely there?and in some moments that is all we have to hold on to. When it comes right down to it, back to the wall and nothing we see gives us any hope, we have to grab onto this faith as our way through. If you have that, you have something of greater value than any amount of money or thing outside yourself could ever bring you. Sometimes our experiences happen the way they do so we can find this faith.

If you have that faith inside that you are going to be ok, no matter what happens in your life and no matter how tough things get, then you have accomplished something significant and you are truly successful.

Only you can find this in yourself, no one can do it for you. Certainly, your life experience will direct you to it, but it is always up to you to see it and accept it for yourself, and this is a very personal experience. May you find it because many times it is the only thing that allows you to overcome something otherwise completely impossible.

What challenges are you facing?