I was at a used bookstore recently and I saw a book, Being, Nothingness and Fly Fishing. I was curious (although I’m not a fisher-person) and flipped it open to this:

I feel I owe the river the very best I have to offer, after all, the river has given its very best to me.  The North Umpqua makes me want to be a better fly fisherman.”

Have you ever felt this way about anything? Do you have any things or people in your life that make you want to be a better person?

Have you ever met someone who makes you feel like you want to give him/her the best of you?

I once went to a therapist and when she asked what I was hoping to accomplish, I said, “I want to get unstuck.”  What I meant by that was that I wasn’t in a life situation that demanded or encouraged the best of me … the best I had to offer.  The answer was, of course, inside myself. Which meant that I had control over whether I was giving or in a situation where I could give the best of me.

I recently read the following question: “Imagine that you woke up tomorrow with the feeling that you owe your life the very best you have to offer. What would that day look like to you?” Deep, right?

So, yesterday I decided to life my life that way for one day.  I quietly gave the best I could  to everyone I come across.  I was amazed at the result.  Someone who normally would not open up, did and shared some important feelings. And, I felt less stressed (even though yesterday was a stressful day) and I was very much more present.

So, let me leave you with one of my favorite poems and maybe some encouragement to try at day of being your best:

We are perfectly imperfect
and beautiful within
because beauty isn’t skin deep
it’s deeper than the skin

We are who we allow ourselves to become
we get what we give, we give what we get
so give it your all
and don’t ever give up

Be the best you
be the person you want to be
just remember to be yourself
not who others want to see

This day is yours
it belongs to no one but you
put one foot in front of the other
and take a step closer
to making all your dreams come true

You are perfectly imperfect
and this is okay
because no one is flawless
no one is perfectly made

You are beautiful within
and your smile reflects
the love inside your heart
So, share a grin
and let others see who you are

Be the best you
just be who you are inside
be the person that makes you happy
and live your best life.

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If you’ve got someone in your life who encourages this of you, send him/her this post.  And, have an amazing day!