Most people can look back over the years and identify a time and place at which their lives changed significantly. Whether by accident or design, these are the moments when, because of a readiness within us and a collaboration with events occurring around us, we are forced to seriously reappraise ourselves and the conditions under which we live and to make certain choices that will affect the rest of our lives. - Frederick F. Flack

That time for me is now.

It feels like I have spent a lifetime, at least all of mine thus far, waiting for someone or something to come along and recognize me for the person I am and the things I have to offer the world. Recently though, I've realized that I will wait my whole life, until I have exhausted every breath and every sunrise, and in doing so, I'll have been the most loyal and devoted to some unknown expectation or faith, more than I have ever been to myself. There's a malfunction there, a breakdown, for if I cannot count myself among the best I know, then I haven't lived up to my potential.

Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. - Barack Obama

I have a lot of new things going on in my life, and I couldn't be happier. I'm working on a special project. It's a temporary assignment, and because of that, I'm on a leave of absence from my daily job. It's a tough assignment, but I'm proud to be part of the team making history. It puts a lot of things into a very clear perspective for me. It makes me grateful for what I do have, but more, it makes me hungry for what I want. Things I know I can have if I take some chances instead of sitting around and hoping that my dreams will come true if I just wait around long enough.

I've always been pretty rational when it comes to concepts like money buying happiness, and that some things, like the love and respect you have earned from good people and the friendship and support you have offered in tandem, are worth more than any dollar can be, but I've always operated under a belief that things happen as they should, and so if I just wait long enough, my life will turn out as it should have.

Now I just think that's naive and crazy.

I'm always encouraging other people to go after their dreams. That if they are unhappy, to change things. That if they are talented or good at something they're passionate about, that they should share that with the world. That we each create our own happiness and therefore are responsible for our unhappiness. Somewhere in there, I forgot to tell myself the same thing.

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. - Maya Angelou

A while back I said that I applied for a mentorship program. After submitting a written entry, participating in a phone interview, answering a written questionnaire, and having an in-person meeting, I've been selected. ::applause:: I know, I know...

The reason there is such a mentor program is because of this man, Ryan Blair. If you are over the age of twenty, you should absolutely watch this video.

I can't tell you how many ways I related to the things he says, but I'm really very thankful that I have this chance to work with him and learn from him.

So, I have these mentors now, Troy and Rich, who are both successful, smart, motivated, friendly, genuine human beings who have taken me under their wings and are helping me to be a healthier, happier, more informed, and hopefully wealthier person. Outside of the fact that it's always good to know people who have done the things you're looking to do, and been very successful at them, I think it's amazing that there are still people out there that could be spending their time and money doing literally anything they want, and they're choosing to spend it helping other people achieve their own success and realize their own dreams.

These are my kind of people...

The premise of the mentor program, and one of the reasons I'm so excited, is that I really have nothing to lose. I already have a crappy, unfulfilling, and completely unrewarding job that my family can just barely survive on. I have about 90ish pounds I could do without, and a family medical history that is chasing me down. I also have a whole life ahead of me still, and I have dreams of helping people, helping them achieve their own dreams, and I couldn't be more excited to have grabbed onto this opportunity with both hands. Most importantly, I'm finally DOING something about fulfilling my own.

Faced with the choice between changing one's mind and proving that there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof. - John Kenneth Galbraith

As part of the mentor program, I've started my own business and if you want more information about it, I'd love to talk to you about it. http://www.vivianbarlund.bodybyvi.com/

Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world. - Howard Zinn

I'm changing mine. Team Lifestyle!