Do you believe in yourself? Do you believe that you have something to offer this world? Do you believe you have something to give to your family, friends, job, etc? If you think you don’t then you are sadly mistaken. Every person in this world, including you, plays some part. No one else has the same set of strengths, interests, and goals as you. The things that make you unique have the power to affect others. Those other people affected by you can then go forth to work in other peoples’ lives. It’s a never ending cycle that works its way back around to you and once again continues.

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The actions you take carry more weight than you might think. We must acknowledge that our actions have an impact. We should remember that the things we pursue have worth. We need to pursue those things which give us a sense of purpose, because that is exactly why those passions are placed in our hearts – they have a purpose. When we live life intentionally, we can do great things. We cannot know the reach of our lives.

Originally, I thought a life of purpose came through having a lot of control, power, and influence. I thought only great figures, like Mother Theresa, could really live a life of purpose. I didn’t think people simply going about their days could really make an impact. Then, I began to take a closer look.

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When I was teaching, my life had purpose to act as a positive role-model to my students and encourage an interest in learning by showing them not all classrooms were lectures and notes. As a wife, my life has purpose to support my husband’s interests and goals, as well as to work together for us each to become who God created us to be. As a mother, my life has great purpose. I am one of the biggest influences in Makenzie’s and Braedon’s lives. Even simply as a human being, I have purpose to be kind to others.

I don’t have to do these amazing, widespread works to have purpose. My purpose comes in simply living and sharing love with others. I do believe there are still great things out there for me to do. I feel my life has purpose to spread positive messages to others and I admittedly get anxious to know exactly what path that will take. I have to say though, simply knowing that my life has purpose now and in the future makes life feel that much sweeter. I don’t feel like I wander around lost in my life, just going through the motions. I really do strive to make the best of each day because I know just how meaningful I am. You are too. Don’t forget it!

What ways do you have purpose?

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Check out the 30 DSLR posts the following bloggers shared.

• Adventures in Weight Loss, Cooking, and Life
• Ulterior Harmony
• Two Feet Ten Toes

And while we’re at it, I hate pregnancy hormones too. It seems like one day a week I get in this mood. A mood where even the smallest thing can send me over the edge and bring me to tears, headaches, anxiety, lashing out, and any other unpleasant side effect of PMS x 10,000. Today was my lucky moody day. Of course it would just happen to fall on my most overwhelmingly busy day of the week too.

I hate Mondays. I always have so much to do and it never fails to fluster me just a tiny bit. Which is exactly what happened today. Somehow, even after typing up today’s 30 DSLR post about living life fully, I got caught up in my to-dos and forgot about finding joy in the day. Doh!

Even worse? Feeling overwhelmed with my Monday, I imposed the stress and anxiety I felt onto life as a whole and my future. I have big hopes for my family, myself, and even this blog (nothing crazy big for that though…I am realistic). You can probably tell that I pour a lot of energy into those things I care about. Sometimes my crazy anxiety gets the best of me and makes me question if I’m putting effort into things appropriately and if I’m on the path God wants me on.

I told you pregnancy hormones bring out the crazy in me. Please forgive me for sounding like a whiny two year old. I know its not fun to hear. Especially after dealing with one all day. I don’t know what her deal is. She doesn’t have any hormones to blame for the ‘tude she has been throwing today. She has actually brought me to tears. You think I exaggerate the hormones? You just wait until your time comes.

I assure you that things turned around though.Once I wiped up my second round of tears caused by Makenzie, I took 15 minutes to lay down and breathe…and ignore whatever she was doing at the foot of the bed. I thought about my own message from today and repeated “Do what you can today. God has the plans for your future” to help calm me down. I even ended up writing it on a bookmark to keep with my to-do lists as a reminder.

After that, I slapped on a smile and took charge of my day. I hit up the first round of errands, which included a weekly shopping trip. And guess what I found???

That in and of itself helped bring my mood up! I have searched high and low for some Libbys. I made that grocery trip even better by stopping by for a skim iced coffee on the way home. I needed a little pick me up to sip while getting stuff done after lunch.

Those pick me ups continued as I read through your comments for today’s post. You all really helped me today. You do with each and every one you leave and today meant even more. I think all of that brought me out of my sour preggo mood and helped me finish out the day on a high note. I finished what I needed for today, tutored the great kid I help out, and even fit in a Turbo Jam DVD workout to relieve some stress. No matter what, we have the power to turn things around for the better. Even on a Monday.

• What is your least favorite day of the week? Need I say more after the above?
• Do hormones ever get the best of you? Need I say more after the above? 😉

I forgot to post up links to posts from other bloggers this morning. Check them out!

• Ulterior Harmony
• Simply Maren
• Days One By One