Inspirational Clothing-Does it Really Matter What You Wear?

Does wearing inspirational clothing really matter? You might say yes, but you might also say no too. The thing is, what you wear can influence the people around you.

You know this is true if you watch TV at any time, watch the news, or any reality TV show. Honestly, could it be any clearer that the way we dress affects the way people see us?

It should stand to reason then that what we wear does impact those around us. Consider the photo to the right; how does that message make you feel when you look at it?

You can probably recall a time when you felt fearful in life and you probably felt completely powerless as a result. Right? Wouldn't seeing this message change the way you feel inside?

I know it did for me! There are tons of things I am afraid of, especially at a time when this world sees enough suffering.

Do You Wear Inspirational Clothing? 

So, now the question becomes; do you wear inspirational clothing right now? If not, why not? If you are into graphic tees, why not wear something that sends out a positive message? The way we dress does change how people see us. 

Some examples of this are:

1. Miley Cyrus- the recent twerking incident 
2. Madonna- before and after being a mother it changed 
3. Elton John-people perceive him to be a certain type of person due to his wardrobe 

With any of these individuals, it can be good or bad, but based even on media, it always seems to be more bad than good. If clothing does send a message, why not choose inspirational clothing instead? If you are interested in seeing a ton to choose from for kids, men, and women, then all you need to do is visit our website right now! 

As parents we can have a better influence on our children. What we do, they want to do. Why not take it a step further and focus on what we wear? Why not take a shot at getting someone to smile with your message on your shirt? 

Take a look at our "inspirational clothing" line, and be sure to check out our community on Facebook too! 

Live Courageously!

Developmental Milestones Mean Raising Kids Right is Important!

Developmental milestones are truly the gauge for whether or not children turn out a certain way. With each milestone, children change, they grow mentally and emotionally, but they also grow physically. All of these aspects of a child's life mean they need to work well together, and when they do, they turn out just as you had hoped.

Self confidence is a big part of this, and as a child learns how to communicate in their own way, walk, talk, and more, they need to know that they are doing okay and that they are well on their way. So, what does this have to do with raising a better human being?

Children need to learn as they get older, that what they are doing or not doing is okay. Children learn boundaries, and they learn everything from their parents. So, if you don't teach them boundaries on what they should think and feel about themselves, how will they know what is right and what is wrong?

Why Developmental Milestones Matter 

If you have never studied developmental milestones of life and how they work, now is as good a time as any to study them, and learn as much as you can. Children learn how to be more confident once they take a step, or even when they start to crawl. 

When you finally crawled, didn't your parents clap? When you took your first steps, didn't they clap and continue to encourage you? Children that lack this in life don't seem to move as fast as everyone else, but they can still encounter men and women along the way that will encourage them and teach them how to advance in life. 

If you are an adult, have you considered  the following:

1. Fostering 
2. Adopting 
3. Becoming a big brother or sister to children or teens in your neighborhood
4. Teaching others how to read 

There are so many ways in which you can help others, and if you reach out to someone to help them and teach them WHY they matter, and why their opinion means more than what others tell you, then they will have better self-esteem. 

What if you had the courage to make a commitment to helping change someone's life for the better? Could you do it? Better yet, would you do it? 

Finding Happiness in Your Own Developmental Milestones

Have you ever read some quotes about happiness that made you realize just how awesome you are all on your own? If you grew up not understanding how you fit into this world, guess what; this is just one of many more developmental milestones. 

You can read all of the books out there on how to feel better about you, and you can get words of wisdom from those around you and it still won't change who you are. Words of encouragement are always nice too, but you still decide whether or not you can create the life you want. 

It's wonderful to have the heart of a child, but it's best not to always have the mind of one! Each of us have our own way, our own life, passions and goals. What will you do with your life? 

If you would like to learn more about how we encourage teenagers, adults, and more in their life "developmental milestones", then please visit www.courageouslife.com. 

Quotes About Happiness-Can Reading Them Make it All Better?

Quotes about happiness are great to read, but do you really believe in what you are reading? It has been said that happiness is an inside job, and no doubt that is true. You've heard us say it before, and if you know anything about our organization, we are here for you to help you with:

1. Self confidence
2. Self esteem 
3. Building character 
4. Developing moral and spiritual courage 

While these are all great topics, there still isn't good information to go around to help you if you have already decided that you need something to make you happy. So, what does it take to make you happy?

Do you believe that it is possible for you to be happy all on your own? If you need some quotes about happiness, we have some that we would love to share with you, but remember, it's truly an inside job.

Getting Answers from Quotes About Happiness 

See this quote above? Do you believe it? Do you realize that the key to your happiness is to find your own way? Better yet, it's about doing things God's way, and realizing that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. 

What does this mean? It means, that you can't rely on someone else to teach you how to be more confident, and you can't rely on getting someone else to make you smile. Here are a few quotes about happiness, just like the one above that re-iterate this to you. 

Here is what some successful people believe to be true about happiness: 

"Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions." -Dalai Lama 

I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel like being around certain people makes me feel pretty happy or very unhappy. Do you agree? Remember, that at the end of the day you alone are responsible for your happiness. Even if you are in a room full of unhappy people, remember ,it's up to you to be happy. 

As a child growing up, you reached several developmental milestones, and even as a baby, you only cared about what made you happy, right? If you fell down, you got back up, and if others were making faces at you, you still chuckled, right? 

It has been said that children are the best salespeople, and it's true. These are words of wisdom for you friend. To focus on being happy, regardless of what is going on around you. This is NEVER easy, I know this all too well. 

More Quotes About Happiness in God 

Have you ever heard someone say that God can make people happy? Okay, so if I say this, don't be quick to judge; even God can't make you happy, and he won't force you to be happy. 

See, God is all about free will, and He loves to give His children free gifts. Namely, the one most important of all is salvation, but He will give wisdom freely and liberally too. God wants only the best for you, and won't leave any stone unturned. 

Why should you? Here are some quotes about happiness I found and how they relate to God our Savior. 

"I know God won't give me anything I can't handle. I just wish he didn't trust me so much.” 
-Mother Theresa 

Hmm, how do you feel abuot that one folks? Commitment to your own happiness is key, and yes God will give you no more than you can handle. Have you ever questioned this? Have you ever thought that you must be destined for greatness if He gave you so much to work with?

The only words of encouragement I could give you are that happiness is an inside job, but until you can be consistent on your own, there are plenty of people around you to help you get there. You have friends and family that love you, and if you struggle with family, ask God to bring people to you in your church that you can lean on and ask for help and guidance. 

You could sit and read inspirational quotes all day, but will that change your life? Could you rely on funny movies to help you "Get Happy?" 

No! There isn't anything wrong with any of this, BUT, don't lose sight of the fact that happiness is an inside job. If you would like to read more quotes about happiness that we share, or you need some encouragement, just pay us a visit over at www.courageouslife.com today! 

Self Esteem-the Foundation for All Young People

Self esteem is no doubt the foundation for boys and girls, and it's no surprise that so many are struggling. Why? Parents today aren't building up their children's confidence enough, and others are poking holes in it, easily and often.

If hormonal changes and peer pressure weren't enough, how about the fact that it takes mom and dad to help their children to feel good about themselves?

Have you ever heard that children could do without this? Don't you think that if your opinon of yourself were better, that you would be able to do more, be more, and handle more of life just fine?

This is why we have been creating a movement to teach children and adults more about self esteem, how to be more confident, and how to grow strong in life and in spirit. Keep reading to learn more about what this could do to change the life of your child, or just for you personally.

The Beginning of Self Esteem

Early in life, you learn that you are special, loved, and that no one means as much as you do to your mom and dad. What happens after that is horrific in the mind of a child. What happens when they experience someone else being number one, or winning the award that they didn't win? How do you handle this?

I was reading some quotes about happiness the other day, and what I read was so true. Most of the quotes were from individuals that were actors, writers, celebrities, and more. The quotes were all defending that yes, happiness is in fact an inside job, so no, it doesn't come from the outside fix, EVER.

Developmental milestones are critical, and that means that every stage of a child's life needs to experience a sense of accomplishment. Do you love them where they are? For example, if your 15 year old goes out and does something wrong, can you approach that the same way you would with a 6 year old?

Of course not. That doesn't work. This is why you absolutely MUST focus on your commitment to raising them with a strong mind, heart, and emotions. Our children are growing up unbalanced, giving most of their efforts in life to one side of their lives. Can this be prevented? Of course it can!

Words of Wisdom on Self Esteem 

Have you been searching for words of wisdom from those you trust with every shred of hope mustered up you can find? Chances are you have, but you may have been looking in the wrong place. God's Word says that there is safety in the multitude of counselors, and it's true.

You can find words of encouragement just about anywhere if you look, but will they teach you something? Is it possible that you can find what you need when you turn to your trusted family members and friends? Is there hope in other people?

Don't teach your children that other people solve problems, teach them that healthy solutions and answers all come from God Himself, and that we are NEVER far from God's love, EVER. If we believe that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and we are taught that from the time we are born, how could we be amiss?

Here are a few inspirational quotes that will shed some insight into this for you.

"Ever tried, ever failed, no matter, try again, fail again, fail better" - Samuel Beckett

"Stop thinking of what could go wrong, and start thinking of what could go right"

Thinking into the future, and thinking only of God's best is what gets us to a better and safer place. Now, how do you view your self esteem?

Self Confidence the Root of Your Life

Self confidence is lacking for so many right now. Do you feel that you have lost confidence in yourself for any reason?

There are tons of books that you could read right now that teach you how to be more confident, but it works only when you apply what you learn right?

It seems that there is a book for everything under the Sun, a pill for every ill, right? You are not the same as your brother or sister, your classmate, your spouse, and therefore there is no set of rules to make you be anyone else, other than who you are!

Remember, if you don't believe in you, then you cannot expect others to. It's sort of a catch 22 if you feel bad about yourself, right? Obviously, no one can make you feel good about yourself, and no one can make you believe that you can do anything that you set your mind to.

What is the key to building self confidence? How can you create the life you desire, and feel good about you and what you do? If you are ready to create a new you, a new life, or just make your life better, then keep reading! You are about to be lifted up, and have a new outlook on who you were created to be. YOU are awesome!

Building Your Self Confidence 

So, what is the key to building self confidence? Some say it's about recognizing those things that are you insecure about, and then taking action to change them. It's simply about getting clear of the WHY you feel a certain way about things, and once you are clear, it's easy to make change.

Can you recall a time as a child or even as a teenager that you were told that you had low self esteem? It happens, and it happens to a lot of teens when kids are critical of each other or bully each other. As I was reading quotes about happiness the other day, I realize that most folks want others to make them happy.

For example, we look at the following for our happiness including:

1. A new outfit
2. A new boyfriend or girlfriend 
3. A new car 
4. A new job

It's always something from the outside that makes you feel a certain way, and because of that you believe that there is something else out there to help you feel better. Right? As children and as teenagers, we all hit developmental milestones that are critical, and each represent something in our lives.

If we fall down as a toddler and get back up, our parents cheer us on, and that tells us that hey, we are great! If parents don't, then the child has no sense of accomplishment, which means they have not been encouraged to do more.

Will you make the commitment to cheer yourself on? Will you choose to lead the life you were intended to live?

Words of Wisdom on Self Confidence 

I hope that this article was able to give you some words of encouragement as you seek to build your self confidence. Sometimes, it's as simple as you going out and doing what you know to do to help yourself get further and grow as a person.

Look up some inspirational quotes right here with Courageous Life, and share them others as well if they helped you. Don't be a stranger! Here at Courageous Life, we are here to help you become more, do more, and have more. Our idea of living is being rich in life and in spirit.

If you were blessed today, make sure that you leave us a comment below, and that you share this with others on Facebook, Twitter, and anywhere else you can find. We hope and pray that you are able to build a strong life spiritually and emotionally, and that you develop the courage to stand.

You are amazing, and you owe it yourself to build your self confidence!

Inspiring Quotes for the Workplace

If you don't like where you work or who you work with, then inspiring quotes can be helpful if you are having a tough day! I love to pull them out and read them when I am going about my work day, just because it helps me often put things back into perspective. 

What if just for one day, you could spea something inspirational to someone else, whether they were a friend, co-worker, or even a family member? What if you could share some good thoughts with others just to see them smile?

We want to share some inspiring quotes for the workplace with you so that you can get that much needed pick me up in the middle of your day, and so that you can help others smile that work alongside you! 

Inspiring Quotes for Everyone for Everyday 

In the middle of difficult lies opportunity. -Albert Einstein
The surest way not to fail is to determine to succeed. -Richard Brinsely Sheridan
Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe. -Gail Devers Kites rise highest against the wind; not with it. -Winston ChurchillToo often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. -Leo BuscagliaTake the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. -Martin Luther King If you can change your mind, you can change the world. -Joey Reimer Don't try to innovate for the future. Innovate for the present. Peter DruckerIf you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost. That is where they should be. Now put the foundation under them. -Henry David Thoreau The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. -Martin Luther King 

Now can you see why so many love these inspirational quotes for the workplace?

More Inspiring Quotes for the Workplace for Sharing Everyday! 

Attitude is the way you look at things around you. A positive disposition towards experiences shapes you for the rest of your life. Success and happiness at workplace largely depends on your attitude. Needless to say what the results will be if you have a winning attitude.

Success or failure in business is caused more by the mental attitude even than by mental capacities.Sir Walter Scott
When you believe you can-you can!Maxwell Maltz
A strong positive attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug.Patricia Neal
Our paradigms, correct or incorrect, are the sources of our attitudes and behaviors, and ultimately our relationships with others.Stephen R. Covey
Your attitude is more important that your aptitude.Zig Ziglar
Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.Kahlil Gibran

We hope that you enjoyed these inspiring quotes, and we encourage you learn more about what we do, and how you can share inspiration by what you wear when you visit www.courageouslife.com. 

Inspirational Bible Verses

Inspirational Bible verses are great when you need a pick me up, and they are most certainly great when you are hurting inside. There is nothing more difficult than not having something to turn to when you need an encouraging word.

This is why God's Word is a constant, and why so many look to it daily for help and insight for living.

Have you been in need of God's touch, but you felt that you were too far from Him? Have you desired too hear from God, but you felt that you were too far away?

If you are in need of some inspirational Bible verses, and you have been having trouble finding them, keep reading.

We wanted to share some of our favorites with you, so that you wouldn't have to go very far! Are you ready to be inspired by God himself?

Check Out These Inspirational Bible Verses 

Here are some inspirational Bible verses just for you!

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. -Psalm 27:4
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. -Psalm 34:8
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. -Proverbs 17:17
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.- Isaiah 40:31
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. -John 15:13
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. -Romans 8:28
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? -Romans 8:31

A pretty good start for the day? We think so! 

More Inspirational Bible Verses for You! 

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:38-39
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. -I Corinthians 13:12
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. -2 Corinthians 4:16-18
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. -Philippians 3:7-9
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,  may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,  and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. -Ephesians 3:17-21

I don't know that there is anything more inspirational than God's Word do you? Whether you are hurting, feeling good or just need answers, check back often to see what we have to share. There are new stories and inspiration each day. 

To learn more about our reason behind sharing these inspirational Bible verses, pay us a visit at www.courageouslife.com. 

Inspirational Words for Any Day of the Week

Inspirational words are often needed when tough times ensue. I know this all too well. In fact, I have to tell you that recently, I've been looking for them a lot. I've been looking for them for me, but for others too. 

Have you ever found yourself looking for words of encouragement during a difficult time? Have you ever wondered where you could find words of hope and inspiration?

Now you can find them here, just when you thought you didn't have more sources to use or to find something you could share, you found out you were incorrect!

So, here we are providing you some inspirational words for you and for you to share with others, so that you can spread hope and joy to others.

Inspirational Words for You 

Here are some wonderful inspirational words we found to share with you, and they are from folks that come from all different walks of life. 

You have to take what people think is wrong or even foolish and make the breakthroughs of tomorrow. – John Kheir, MD -
Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm. - Winston Churchill -
We are kept from our goal, not by obstacles but by a clear path to a lesser goal. - Robert Brault

There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again. - Elizabeth Lawrence -
A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm. - Henrik Ibsen -
An army of lions commanded by a deer will never be an army of lions. - Napoleon Bonaparte -
If you feel that you are indispensable, put your fingers in a glass of water, withdraw it, and note the hole you have left. - Author unknown -
Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success. - Dale Carnegie -
Experience is pure gold. Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want. - Ann Landers -

These quotes come to you straight from some folks that have had tremendous success in their lives, and others that are merely hard workers, and inspirational speakers. No matter where you come from, you have something to offer for sure.

Here are some more quotes that will help lift you to another level, no matter where you are, and no matter what you are doing.

More Inspirational Words to Live By 

Here are some more inspirational words for your spirit as well. 

Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God. - Leo Buscaglia -
The issue is now clear. It is between light and darkness and everyone must choose his side. - G. K. Chesterton -
What is there beyond knowing that keeps
calling to me? I can't
turn in any direction
but it's there. I don't mean
the leaves' grip and shine or even the thrush's
silk song, but the far-off
fires, for example,
of the stars, heaven's slowly turning
theater of light, or the wind
playful with its breath;
or time that's always rushing forward,
or standing still
in the same — what shall I say –
moment.

What I know
I could put into a pack
as if it were bread and cheese, and carry it
on one shoulder,
important and honorable, but so small!
While everything else continues, unexplained
and unexplainable.
….mostly I just stand in the dark field,
in the middle of the world, breathing in and out…

- Mary Oliver from "What is there beyond knowing" -

Now that you have some encouraging words, will you share these with others? Will you make an effort to share the good you find with others?

If you would like to learn more about our motive for "inspirational words" then visit us at www.courageouslife.com.

Motivation Letter to a Person in Need

Have you ever heard of the motivation letter? While you might think it's a letter written to someone to inspire them or motivate them to do something, it's actually a bit different.

This letter is NOT even close to helping you get motivated, but rather to help you motivation someone to look at you as their solution!

Need I say more? Could it be that you can easily motivate someone to hire you? Could it be that you easily get others to come around to your way of thinking?

What if you could easily persuade an organization to believe that you alone are the ideal candidate. This is what the motivation letter is all about.

However, what if you wrote a letter to someone in need that motivated them to change their life? What if you could write a simple letter to help someone gain a better understanding of what they could do each day for positive change?

Let's take a look at a short letter that a mother wrote to her child to do just that!

A Mother's Motivation Letter 

There is no doubt that the purpose of writing something motivational is to get someone to make a move! Sometimes I believe it was intended for part of the word motivate to be missing letters to spell MOVE!

Moms are good at this; getting people to move, or getting their children to do things that need to be done. However, as children we can often be stubborn about it, right? So, how does a mom take the concept of an application letter and use it for the betterment of her child?

It read a little something like this:

"Dear Son,

I know that while you may be feeling down about not getting that job you applied for, remember, you are MY son. In fact, not only are you MY son, but you are an amazing man. You don't know this one detail of your life, so let me share it with you to prove that you are a fighter, and that yes, you WILL make it.

When you were born, you were a bit early. In fact, you were early enough to make everyone worry, and to get the attention of the doctors and nurses in the hospital for that thing they call, "STAT".  You were very unhealthy, and the doctor told me then that you would probably not grow fast enough, eat properly, or you could have a host of problems. That is what HE said.

You had other others plans though, and you fought to stay alive, and then you fought some more. I was impressed with you then, and I am still impressed with you now. See, my dear son, at a time in your life when you just came into this world, with very little chance of survival, and all of the odds stacked against you, you still made it. I believed in you, even though you weren't aware, it's that thing they call "energy", but I also call it a "mother's love".

No matter how much I loved you then or love you now, it's still your choice. You come into your own because you DECIDE, not because someone does it for you. You did it then, and you can do it again. You could feel my belief, but you still in your own way chose to fight as an infant. Now, you can choose again.

KEEP FIGHTING. 

Mom's Motivation Letter with Love

Now do you see? Can you see how a motivation letter can be something more than a cover letter? Can you see how this letter could motivate a young college graduate to keep trying? To keep reaching? These days, we have enough tragedy and lose enough hope that it's not worth getting people to shed more tears.

Motivation is what makes the difference, and if you care about someone today that is struggling, why not write them a motivation letter of your own? Live courageously.