Each of us is somebody!

Do you like who you are?

As messed up as some of my days are, and with some of the bullshit nonsense I deal with I’m still glad to be ME!

My life hasn’t been easy, but in comparison to others it hasn’t been hard either.
It is what it is…LIFE!

We all go through situations that can either make us stronger or crush us.
It’s up to each of us to make the decision what effect life will have on us.

Some grow up to be what their parents want them to be, some have goals of their own, some are simply free spirited and go with the flow…uncertain of their direction, but yet enjoying life as it comes at them.

Some become confident, secure, strong and embrace who they are.
Others…well, they rely on things to make them feel good or other people to make them feel safe.
That’s craziness.
That’s no way to live.
If you can’t be happy with who you are, then you’re really not experiencing true happiness.
What happens when others aren’t around to hold you up?
What happens when the things aren’t there (they get lost, stolen, fall apart)?
What then?
You’re an empty shell of a person.

If nothing else, people know I am who I am, say what I have to say and am real, genuine and ME.
Other people hide behind nice clothes, jewelry, fancy cars, big houses and yet they have no clue who they are.
I totally know who I am.
(even though others attempt to tell me who I am, when they in all actuality have no clue who I really am)

Are you asking what’s up with the hippie VW Vanagon?
Well, I’ll tell you…
Every summer my dad, brother and I used to travel…
drives from PA to anywhere in the states…including one year driving to Alaska (before the Alaska highway was even paved!)

Now, as y’all have probably already figured I was pretty much a black sheep and did whatever I wanted and never really gave after high school much thought.
I had dreamed of just hitting the road in a 68 Camaro or GTO with my dog (which I didn’t even have at the time, but figured I’d get me a big bad dog to travel with me lol).
Seeing the states and working doing odd/end jobs to get money to get to my next destination was my plan.
Not exactly the dream college/career path parents hope their child will take!
Needless to say, that’s not the path I took (not far from it on a smaller level though).
Instead, I hitch hiked from PA, ended up in FL after going through Indiana, Mississippi, Alabama (I do not suggest this means of travel now though).
I became a wife (thankfully that didn’t last long) then a single mother, then a mother again and now that my daughter has 3 more years of high school it got me thinking about what I’ll do when she’s off on her own.
Will I be a sad empty nester?
NOPE!
Will I miss her when she goes to college or whatever?
YES! DUH! OF.COURSE.I.WILL.
And, hey who knows maybe by then she’ll want to join me on my journey to travel the states!
(then on to England, Ireland, Australia, Greece, Rome, Italy and who knows where else)
But, in time, I plan on packing it up and hitting the road (at least for a year).
Traveling in a VW Vanagon.
I don’t have things and have minimal clothing so I’m sure everything I need could fit easily in a VW.
As long as I have internet, laptop, cell phone I should be good to go!
I can teach yoga classes as I go, do some hypnosis or weight coaching as I go and meet people in other locations or make money online and live off PayPal debit card?!
I could do odds/ends on a farm to get fresh veggies and fruit or pay.
I could do whatever….
The thing is this, I am me…
not dependent on things to make me feel like a fulfilled person.
I’d rather experience life than be held prisoner by things and other people who need to lift me up and boost my self esteem & confidence (I don’t need that-because in reality the majority of people around try to do complete opposite…trash me, tear me down).

Is this the ideal future that parents want for their child?
Who knows.
Most people do their traveling in between high school and college or after college and before family.
Well, I”m too old for that…have already lived those years.
So, my choice is do it in 3 or 4 years or don’t bother doing it.

I once had a dream of owning a totally sustainable environmentally friendly resort with multiple buildings, beach entry salt water pool, yoga building, kitchen, gardens, water features and more. It was going to be ideal. It was going to be LEED certified.
It was also going to cost about $6 MILLION.
Needless to say, that dream has been put on hold until I win the Lottery (hmmmm, I think I have to play it though to win it?!)

So, instead my plan is simple…
enjoy my daughter, enjoy life and experience life and what it holds…

Question of the day
Are you living the life you thought you would be?
Are you happy, I mean TRULY REALLY happy?
What would you do if you could do anything?
Are you being true to who you really are? or are you living your life for someone else?

This weekend I had a lot of time to contemplate things.
Remembering who I used to be, acknowledging who I am now, and contemplating who I want to be.
And, now I know what I have to do to regain my self back and be the Tara I’m meant to be!

Many are someone else to appease others in our lives…be it a parent, significant other, friends, etc.
Are you being true to yourself?
Are you the person you want to be?

Tips on how to be yourself
Don’t try to be someone else-you’ll never be able to be anyone other than who you are-so don’t waste your time.
Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.
~Judy Garland
Accept any mistakes you’ve made in the past and move on-learning from them.
Be open and honest-show how you really feel-don’t be an imitation of someone else or be fake.
Don’t worry about pleasing others or how others will feel-you can’t please all the people all the time-you can’t control how people perceive you.
Be prepared to deal with people who want to change you, make you something that you aren’t-be strong and true to your beliefs and personality.
Remember that a number on the scale doesn’t define who you are.
In the end, you’re the one who has to be you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week…are you happy who you are?

Question of the day:
Are you being the real you?
Who do you want to be?
What are you doing to be that person?

We’ve made mistakes
We’ve done things we wish we hadn’t
We’ve not done things we wish we had

It’s never too late.
As long as you’re breathing, you’re able to make a new ending!

We may go full circle
starting over where we once ended years before
thinking that we couldn’t do something or letting others get in our way

As long as you start now
do what you have to do
be who you want to be
you can make a new ending!

My friend, Timothy Carter posted this quote:
What you do today can improve all your tomorrows. ~Ralph Marston

Start right now…
today…
to make your new ending!

What are YOU doing to start your new ending?

We are each individuals, unique beings…

We are all pieces of a huge puzzle.
I’ve spent the last few days discovering new things, meeting new people…
seeing that we all are connected and yet doing our own separate things.

Earlier I posted about opening & closing doors and being myself.

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. ~Judy Garland

Tell us (comment below this is your chance-to let the world know about you, your biz, whatever) something about you…
Describe yourself…
what you do, who you are, what you stand for…
include your url, Facebook, Twitter and/or LinkedIn pages in the comment as well so others can connect with you as well!

As for me, in a nutshell, I’m a God lovin’, health & fitness lovin’, eco-lovin’, yoga lovin’, travel lovin’ entrepreneur who enjoys life, helping others, makes $ to support her family & blesses others.
I also am working on some new goals, projects and more will come!
And, if we’re not connected everywhere, then go to the links on the right here for some of the places you can find me

Learn to… be what you are, and learn to resign with a good grace all that you are not. ~Henri Frederic Amiel

Earlier this week I posted a note on Facebook but thought I’d put it here as well.

One of the comments left on the note was from Diane Cunningham and said “Great job on this Tara! I support you completely…..go where God leads! He will close some doors and open others! Amen to following and listening.”

Teri Undreiner said, “Wonderful Tara! I noticed that I usually did what “others” though I should be doing. I quit “should”en all over myself and stepped into freedom of who I already was, and I’m living FROM freedom now rather than the “I shoulds”. POWERFUL! AMEN to your post! You go girl!

and Stephanie Tweed said, “I agree Tara…this is good confirmation for me too! I have been meditation on that Scripture today: “So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; He’ll promote you at the right time.” ~ I Peter 5:6 The Message

There were a lot of other comments too….

The note itself read:

Sorry had to do this as a note since it’s over 1000 characters can’t post as a status or on wall! LOL
but some food for thought today:
sometimes God creates us to be something different than we originally thought we were supposed to be.
He can use us in ways we may not see at the time.
He may direct us to do things (personal/work) that may not seem big at the time,but He puts us where we can be of better use than where perhaps we thought we should be.
He also uses us in all levels/lines of work/life-yes a lot of thinking going on last few days here.
If one decides not to be an inspiration/life coach that doesn’t make them any lesser of a person than if they decided to or focus on Team Beachbody, nutrition, Holy Yoga…
He uses us where He wants us and somehow He gets us to that place where we’re supposed to be…
even when we take detours and wrong turns…

I’m refocusing (evident by the sale of many of my sites/domains & birth of a new biz) I had thought I was to be an inspiration coach,yet months later discover that I was where I was supposed to be years ago but didn’t realize it…fitness/nutrition coaching…so back to that & add mobile spray tanning to the list.

I’m active, not stuck to my phone or computer and doing something ‘different/exciting’ & still helping people & still inspiring people but not in the same method…but by ‘seeing’ rather than being told…

I’m happier spray tanning & doing yoga, fitness training than I was coaching others via phone/teleconference- basically be who HE created you to be-not what you think others think you should be…hope that makes sense…in overdrive here…thoughts going faster than fingers!

That was the original note on Facebook…
Since then I’ve received DM’s and emails saying that I inspired others to be themselves, stand up for what they believe and go after their desires…
so, see even without the title of “Inspiration Coach”, I still inspire…while still being me!
Be yourself!
Enjoy life!

Today’s day 11 of 31 Days of Gratitude.

Today (and every day usually), I’m grateful for being me.
Yep, I’m happy being ME…
the person God created me to be!

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. ~Judy Garland

Sometimes, it really bites…
and it can be difficult dealing with lots of nonsense
but that’s life…
God doesn’t say there won’t be hard times but He is present so the hard times aren’t as hard as they’d be without Him.

Other times, it’s a wonderful thing being me
the “God lovin’, health & fitness lovin’, eco-lovin’, yoga lovin’ entrepreneur trying to enjoy life, help others, make money to support herself/family & bless others” me!

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. ~e.e. cummings

While I’m being me, I’m still growing and becoming who I’m supposed to be.
I’m no where near done becoming “me”
and I know that, so every day I keep working and striving to be who I’m supposed to be…ME!

What are YOU grateful for today?

Comment below or on Facebook

I was having a great conversation with good friend of mine this morning, Rebecca (Becky) Springfield about people being real and how we should be ourselves, not try to fit in (especially when it’s apparent that that’s not going to happen), and to just be what/who God created us to be.

“Stop trying to fit in when you were born to stand out.” -Movie: What a Girl Wants

It was an enlightening and confirming talk, because lately I’ve not felt like I ‘fit in’ where I am (which then again, if I were to REALLY think about it, I’d realize that I’ve never ‘fit in’).
And, over the course of the last few days, I’ve finally realized I’m not supposed to ‘fit in’!
I’m supposed to be ME!
And sure, many won’t like me but that’s fine, they don’t have to…only the ones that I’m supposed to be liked by and be around will!
That’s the way it should be, not dwelling on those who don’t like me because I’m different than they are…how boring would the world be if everyone was the same!
I’m who God created me to be!
I’m where He wants me to be (at least for now-and that’s a hard one to accept-especially when I don’t like where I am now! lol)

But, I need to simply be me…Tara Burner…Jesus lovin’, eco lovin’, Holy Yoga lovin’, health & fitness lovin’, helpful caring ME!
And, make money in whatever way He leads me and just do whatever it takes to be real and enjoy the life I have.
And God willing, I’ll inspire others along the way and be able to assist others to live the life they want….
whether they just need a boost in the right direction, someone to help them workout & get in shape (physically or spiritually) or whatever….

I don’t need to and aren’t supposed to be like other Inspiration/Life Coaches…
I’m me and will coach my way–by example and speaking from experience-not something others have picked up in books or school and not real life!

I don’t need (nor do I want) a fancy car or huge gas guzzling SUV (in fact I want a Smart Car!)
I don’t need (nor do I want) a huge house…in fact, Bethany Meneses-Green Architect and I already know
what kind of house I want her to design–one totally sustainable, eco-friendly complete with salt water beach entry pool and a place to teach yoga, meditation and hold Inspiration parties and to simply enjoy life!

So, that’s my inspiration for today….BE YOURSELF!
and, if you do need help along the way, I do offer help in a variety of ways.

Or, just continue to read the blog, or catch me on Twitter and Facebook where I’m always posting and communicating with others trying to make a difference in this world in some way.

If God had wanted me otherwise, He would have created me otherwise. ~Johann von Goethe

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. ~Judy Garland

Are you being yourself?
Are you able to accept that you’re different?
Do you find it exhilarating, satisfying and fulfilling that you are different and stand out?
Seems like people want to fit in, mold their lives according to someone else’s life.
That’s not what we are created for-we’re to be unique-to share who we are and what talents, gifts we’ve been given.
Can you imagine how boring and plain it would be if everyone was the same?

If you’ve seen the movie “What a Girl Wants” with Amanda Bynes in it, there’s a scene where she (playing Daphne) and Oliver James (who plays Ian) are in a boat and he says “why do you keep trying to fit in when you were made to stand out”.
Great words to live by ~~ sure it was said somewhere before this too but I remember this specific scene from the movie!

So, remember you were created to be uniquely YOU!
You’re not here to be a clone of someone else-so enjoy being yourself and standing out!

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm: 139:16

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. ~Judy Garland

Do not compare yourself with others, for you are a unique and wonderful creation. ~ Barbara Kimball

You were born an original. Don’t die a copy. ~John Mason

Be what you are. This is the first step toward becoming better than you are. ~Julius Charles Hare

I’ve contemplated this in the past but this week it really hit home so let me ask you….
“do you like people for who they are or what they can do for you?”

Now bear with my random thoughts here as they go from the movie, Mr Deeds to The Bible in Mark 12:44 ~~ yes, I know…two different realms but follow me.

We’ve all heard stories about how when someone has money everyone becomes their ‘friend’, when the money runs out or any other benefits from someone, there go the supposed friends. You can tell who your true friends are if they stick around and have absolutely nothing to gain other than merely being your friend-no materialistic benefits.

When Adam Sandler played Longfellow Deeds in Mr Deeds, he owned a pizza joint and wrote greeting cards to submit to Hallmark (think it was Hallmark anyhow). He was happy and enjoyed life. Then, he finds out he’s inherited billions of $ along with sports teams, etc….cut to ending where in fact he isn’t the heir but the butler who then gives Sandler (Deeds) $1billion. Sandler (Deeds) goes back to Mandrake Falls with Winona Ryder (Babe) and gives the entire town all new Corvettes as gifts and I’m assuming he lives happily ever after.

Now, everyone in Mandrake Falls like Deeds before he had money and obviously after getting a new Corvette they continued to like him. Point is this, he was happy before he thought he had money. He was happy with his life and had friends before he had money. Nothing was to be gained by befriending him other than his personality…no material gain, no monetary gain.

Which brings me to organizations, charities, churches and the like.
If you tithe or donate (partnership) with any — that’s excellent!
You’re probably doing it because you know that it’s a blessing to give, sowing & reaping and enjoy doing a good thing.
I’m guessing you do it because it feels good, it’s the right thing to do, and a slew of other reasons. I know that’s why I do…I enjoy helping others and want to make a difference.
I give not to be rewarded by people or befriended by the place who’s receiving my donation.
I give to give-it’s just that plain and simple.

Here comes the tricky part though, read Mark 12:44 below.

Mark 12:44 from The Message:
Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, “The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all.”

For quiet some time I could barely pay my bills, did without things I’d like and struggled, yet I did know that God supplies all my needs so it wasn’t a concern or an issue. I continued to tithe, donate, etc. sometimes making it difficult to write out that $50 check to so and so. But like the woman in Mark 12:44 I did it because I got fed from the word and this organizations message and the people involved in it. They blessed me every day with what they provide the world so it was (and still is) wonderful to be able to donate to them.

However, recently I sold one of my businesses and was able to tithe a much larger amount amount to them. Now, mind you during the entire time I was donating $50/month I only received the receipt and slip to send in my next months ‘partnership’. However, within less than 2 weeks of my sending in the more substantial donation I received an email from someone in a high position there requesting my presence as they’d like to meet their supporters. Cool I thought. I even started the drive up to meet this person, then mid way I started thinking and opted to not go. I did call and cancel, stating something came up. They offered me the opportunity to meet at a later date if I so desired.

What happened enroute you ask.
It dawned on me about Mark 12:44, not once during two years of donating a measly $50/month did anyone ever want to “meet” me, yet I give a large amount and then they want to? It was harder for me at times to give the $50 than it was to write out this bigger check (just like Mark 12:44 for those with money, they were giving something they wouldn’t miss, and yet the woman clearly gave all she had–which at times was how I felt with the measly $50).

Now I could be over thinking this and could be making something out of nothing but regardless these are my thoughts. They could have and perhaps should have wanted to meet me at some other point during the past 2 years as a “loyal contributor” or something like that. I know other people who work at the place and they’ve talked to me during the prior years, yet the ‘big honcho’ never wanted to until now. Coincidence? Perhaps…or perhaps he only wants to meet with people who give x amount of $? I don’t know and perhaps I’ll muster up the ability to email and ask and explain why “something came up” and I had to cancel our “meet & greet”.

But, on top of that I was thinking that I give because it’s right and what I’m led to do. I don’t need ‘acknowledgment’ from others yet the human/emotional side of me thought it was cool they wanted to meet me. We are not to give seeking recognition and praise from people… we’re to do so to glorify Him and not look for recognition…knowing that we’re doing what He instructs us and He will reward us in Heaven…so that was the other aspect of this ‘battle’ I was having in my head while enroute to destination. Perhaps, I’d have felt better or more comfortable with the situation if it was just a random desire for them to meet me…but that’s not how it felt…danged those feelings!. Sometimes they can be such a blessing, other times they can be so darned confusing and get in the way and lead to tug-o-wars in your own mind.

Additionally, as most everyone who knows me knows…I wear cargo shorts along with tanks or tee’s and sneakers or yoga sandals. That’s just me. I’m into comfort, ease and not getting all dressed up and not being able to function properly (trust me, I cannot walk in heels!). However, that morning I made an attempt…I wore dressy capri slacks, and a blouse along with sandals. Though, why should I have to get dressed up? If this person truly wants to meet Tara Burner, then that means I should be able to show up wearing my cargo shorts, tank top and my yoga sandals or sneakers and they should be okay with that. I’m still me whether I donate $50 or 300 times that, my clothing doesn’t make me who I am. So, if and when I decide I do want to go through with the “meet and greet” I’ll be wearing my cargo shorts and simply being myself. If someone’s going to like me, like me for me…not my clothes, not my donation…but for me and what He has created in me and what I’m lead to do because of Him.

So I guess through all this rambling and weird thought process my point is this…be yourself, be a blessing to others, impress people with who you are not with what you have, be friends with people for genuine reasons and not because you think there’s something to gain, be friends even when the other has nothing to give you but their time, attention and pure friendship (that’s worth more than money and ‘things’), appreciate it though when others and God bless you and acknowledge them and God- but do it genuinely and acknowledge all blessings…not just the big ones!

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. ~e.e. cummings

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind. ~Dr. Seuss

So many people are afraid to be who they really are for whatever reason…parental influence, religion, politics.
Why go through life being something you’re not?
You’re never too old to become who you really are…so what are you waiting for?
Be strong, be courageous and be YOU!
You CAN do it.
Why deny yourself of yourself?
Don’t be something you’re not just to appease someone else, ultimately the choice is yours and you should be the person you were intended to be.

He who trims himself to suit everyone will soon whittle himself away. ~Raymond Hull