Today Robyn Hussa is sharing with us about perseverance. I first connected with  Robyn when I was interested in getting involved with the blog, We Are The Real Deal, where she is the editor. I'm a huge supporter of the work that they do and had to share my story on their site. We Are The Real Deal has built an amazing community of contributors, bloggers, and readers who have their heart and soul into being positive about their body image. Check them out after you finish reading the post.  Thank you, Robyn, for sharing your story with us! I admire your accomplishments.

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to attend the David Foster Foundation Miracle Concert this past Saturday night at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Arena in Victoria, B.C. I had thought I was in for a night of beautiful music.  However, I didn’t expect to be blown away by an experience that has changed my life.

Let me explain. I found out a while ago that the David Foster Foundation was having a concert to support his charity.  I have known about David Foster and the work that he has done (professionally and philanthropically) and wanted to support this cause.  All proceeds from the Foundation go to support the families of children needing organ transplants and education surrounding organ donor registration in Canada and the US. Since I have a good friend who has had two life-saving organ transplants, this cause is really important to me.  

I'm excited that Dr. Ashley Solomon is sharing her thoughts with us today about perseverance. I really admire her career and accomplishments. Thank you, Ashley, for taking part!

Ashley Solomon, Psy.D, is a psychologist who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, body image, trauma, and serious mental illness. She loves ice cream, yoga, and sleep. You can connect with her on her website (www.nourishing-the-soul.com) or on Facebook and Twitter.   I recommend that you do.

I'm truly honoured that See Beautiful has awarded me with the title "Woman of the Month" for June. See Beautiful™ strives to be a place where girls and women feel empowered and recognize their beauty. I'm so flattered and humbled by the award.  Thank you, Lydia Cryss Mays, for this and for being such an active contributor to my blog. I'm so glad I connected with you. Keep up the amazing work! Please check out the See Beautiful site after you read this and connect with them too!

I'm delighted Tara Jacek, who I met through the WordPress blogging community, is sharing with us her thoughts on persevering as a young professional. She provides advice to young women entering the work world.  She is a loyal contributor to my blog and also designed the beautiful graphic in my "About Me" section of my blog.  I’m blessed to know her.  She continually inspires me and encourages me to persist. She rocks! Thanks Tara!

I just heard the song "Unstoppable" by Rascal Flatts for the first time in a while and was inspired.  I want to print out this lyric and post it so I can see it everytime I am working.

"REMEMBER WHAT ONE DREAM CAN DO. YOU ARE UNSTOPPABLE!!!!"

This song is so beautiful and empowering, you should check it out. Let me know what you think after hearing it :)

Dr. Susan Biali, MD, is an award-winning medical doctor, wellness  expert, life and health coach, author, and flamenco dancer. Based on  over twenty years spent studying principles of health, happiness, and  success, Dr. Biali offers hope, inspiration, and tools for life to  people worldwide. She speaks internationally, personally coaches a wide  range of clients from stay-at-home moms to military leaders, blogs for Psychology Today and is frequently featured in media such as the Ricki Lake Show, The Chicago Tribune, Cosmopolitan, Martha Stewart Living, and The Washington Post.  She is the author of the bestselling  book, Live a Life You Love: 7 Steps to a Healthier, Happier, More Passionate You.  You can find out more on her website: www.susanbiali.com

This has been a question that has been on my heart recently: Why do I spend countless hours sharing my thoughts and experiences through blog posts?

There are many reasons why I write my blog,  but one of the main ones is due to building relationships with my readers. I'm blessed to have such amazing readers! Thank you for listening to what I have to say and sharing your stories.

I received such a sweet email yesterday from a reader who is letting me post her comment.  It reinforced why I write my blog.

I am very honoured to be nominated for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award by a fellow blogger and one of my loyal contributors, Anne Sikes (My Like Uncut....Almost).  Thank you Anne for the nomination! It means so much to me.  If you haven't check out Anne's interview on perseverance on my blog, you should check it out here.  If you have not visited her blog, you need to do so. She is such a beautiful person! I'm blessed that she reached out and contacted me.  I love hearing from my readers :)

Do you ever feel like you are mentally swimming in quicksand? Well, you have two choices: you can sink, or you can keep swimming.

I often struggle with a fear of failure when it comes to achievement, but I persevere. I try to stop negative thoughts dead in their tracks. The importance of squelching negative thoughts fast was brought home to me recently after admitting to my family and close friends that I had been dealing with feelings of failure.

What does this term “being a failure” mean? I have two university degrees – one undergraduate, one graduate - and I’m on my way to a wonderful career. How could I possibly believe for a second that I could be “a failure”?

Tracey Carmichael is a Life Coach and Author of Happy Mind Formula - Your Action Plan to Mental and Physical Wellbeing. During Tracey’s 15 years as a Natural Therapist, she discovered a missing link between depression and happiness. Through her own personal experience, she discovered a formula to break this debilitating condition. With a holistic approach to food, movement, and exercise, she was able to create positive change in her own life and in the lives of her clients. Her passion is to share this message with the world to help people understand that they do have the power to move from depression to happiness.  You can check out her website at  www.happymindformula.com.

I'm a 55-year-old mother of three grown children, and a grandmother of one.  I was born in California, raised in Texas, and my first husband and I travelled a great deal throughout his 20-year Navy career.  He passed away in 2001, and I remarried in 2006.  Currently separated from my husband, I'm living with my two grown daughters and my 10-year-old granddaughter in northwest Florida.