Finding the Upside of Adversity: Remember this When Life Is Hard

What to do when things look really bad in your life

I hate to admit this, I really do, but here it is:  I’ve learned more in states of adversity than I’ve learned in times of smooth sailing.  Yes, when my life is really hard, I often learned the most. Why do I hate to admit this? Because I’m human.  I like smooth sailing. I love it when … Read more

What Living a Heart-Centered Life Really Looks and Feels Like

What Living an Inspired, Heart-Centered Life Looks & Feels Like

  “I just want to be inspired.” I remember those words that Renee Zellweger’s character (Dorothy Boyd) said to Tom Cruise’s character in the 1996 film Jerry Maguire.  Oh, how I related to that feeling then; oh, how I wanted to live an inspired life, but that was not my reality. Not yet, anyway. Do … Read more

How to Find Direction in Life When You Feel Lost and Unsure

how to find direction in life

Are you wondering how to find direction in life? Do you want to start living your life on purpose, but you have no idea what your purpose is or what your next step should be? I’ve been there, and it does not feel good when you feel lost and can’t find the right direction for … Read more

50 Life Journey Quotes That Will Inspire and Comfort You

50 Life Journey Quotes to Inspire You and Make You Think

  Do you love an inspiring or thought-provoking quote as much as I do?  Then you’re in for a treat!  I’ve compiled a list of the best 50 life journey quotes that explore what it really means to see your life as a journey, not just a series of destinations. Whether you’re currently facing tough … Read more

11 Best Life-Changing Books to Read When You’re Ready for a Reset

11 best life-changing books of all time

Some books entertain you. Some books encourage you. And every once in a while, a book finds you at exactly the right time and changes the way you see yourself, your choices, or your life. That is what I mean by a life-changing book. The best life-changing books do not all work the same way. … Read more

Bet on Yourself: What It Means and Why It’s the Best Decision You’ll Make

Bet on yourself featured image for blog

  When you bet on yourself, you unlock a realm of potential that extends far beyond the ordinary boundaries of the life you’re experiencing right now. Betting on yourself is an act of faith in yourself, your abilities, and your potential. It’s not just about chasing success or achieving goals; it’s about embracing the belief … Read more

When You’re Tired of Struggling: A Message for When You’ve Had Enough

Tired of Struggling?

Are you tired of struggling? Recently someone wrote to me here at Believe and Create and told me she was tired:  Tired of struggling. Tired of feeling miserable. Tired of conflict. Tired of not getting anywhere she wanted to go.  Tired of feeling that her life was a mess. She was also tired of reading … Read more

My Life Is a Mess: What to Do When Everything Feels Out of Control

When your life feels like a mess, it's time to go within

Have you ever thought to yourself,  “My life is an absolute mess … and I have no idea how to fix it”?   When you reach this point in your life, it can be both scary and confusing.   You don’t know what to do. You may even be frightened that the mess is so big it … Read more

What to Do When You Feel Stuck in Your Life

Getting unstuck ... lessons from pema chodron

I Felt Stuck in My Life and I Didn’t Know What to Do Nothing seemed to be working out the way I wanted it to. I made changes … in fact, I’d made a lot of changes, but none were taking me to a place of joy, peace, and fulfillment.  I felt totally stuck and … Read more

45 Affirmations for Change: Make & Embrace Important Life Changes

affirmation for change

Affirmations are a powerful way to change your mindset and move forward in the direction of what you want.  Affirmations for change can be extremely helpful as you proactively take steps to transform your life or if you are handling changes that have been thrust upon you. We all get stuck in automatic negative thinking … Read more

The Best Books on Happiness (2026): Ranked and Reviewed

The 5 Best Books on Happiness Ever Written (for real!)

If you’re looking for the “how of happiness,” you’re sure to find it in the five best books on happiness that I’m about to share with you.  Get ready, though, you’ll soon discover that these books on finding happiness in your life won’t point you outwardly, it turns out that happiness is an inside job.  … Read more

How to Create a Vision for Your Life (and Start Living It Now)

Life was too hard and I couldn't see my way out. How would I fix my life?

————————————————————————————- My life was a mess and I didn’t know how to fix it. I needed a vision for my life … a vision for my future, but I had no idea how to create it. It seemed to me that a lot of the people I knew and admired had clear visions for their … Read more

5 Ways to Invite More Miracles Into Your Everyday Life

I need a miracle in my life

Just the fact that you found this message today means you’re likely saying,  “I need a miracle in my life!”  I understand.  We all need miracles in our lives from time to time.  The decision you need to  make now is whether to sit back and wait for the miracle to arrive or take steps … Read more

Shifting Affirmations: 35 Powerful Phrases to Help You Shift Perspective

affirmations for shifting perspective and changing your ilfe

We all have moments when we feel stuck, when we know we’re ready to shift gears but we don’t necessarily know how or what to do. Maybe it’s a moment of self-doubt, feeling dissatisfied, wishing for greater meaning and fulfillment, or just knowing that it’s time to shift our lives in some way.  That’s when … Read more

How to Live the Life You Want (Even If It Feels Impossible Right Now)

7 ways to live the life you want blog post featured image

If you are ready to start living the life you want, it’s time to make some immediate changes in how you live each day.  Your choices, not good intentions, are the keys to creating the happy life you want to live.   Ready to live a life of purpose,  passion, joy, and fulfillment?  Want to be … Read more

60 Take Action Quotes to Stop Overthinking and Start Moving

featured image for 50 plus quotes for taking action

It’s time to stop over-thinking, stop talking, and start taking action to get what you want. This list of more than 50 inspirational quotes about taking action is sure to motivate and inspire you on your journey.  Being more proactive in life will have a positive impact on your relationships, your confidence, your happiness and … Read more

10 Free Personal Development Courses That Will Actually Change Your Life

27 FREE online courses for self-help and personal growth

The path to personal growth ALWAYS involves learning.   So, if you want to improve any aspect of your life, a good place to start is with personal growth and self-improvement  courses. Oh sure, you could sit back and do it the hard way through messy trial-and-error learning, which often doesn’t yield the results you … Read more

How to Take Responsibility for Your Own Happiness (Starting Now)

To Create the Life You Want, Give Up the Blame Game!

  Oprah likes to ask people, “What’s one thing you know for sure?”  If she ever asked me that question, my reply would be, “You are responsible for your life. You are responsible for your actions, your reactions, and all your decisions. You are also responsible for your happiness.” I’ve learned so much since launching … Read more

Your Higher Self: How to See Yourself as You Truly Are

how to see yourself as you really are - your higher self

Your Higher Self Is Calling You may think you see yourself as you really are, but if you’re like most people, your self-view is clouded.  To truly see yourself as you really are, you need to understand and connect to your higher self … because your higher self is who you truly are. What Gets … Read more

Authentic Living:  Why Authenticity Is Key to a Meaningful, Happy Life

authentic living featured image

  In a world teeming with all sorts of personalities, you’ve likely encountered people who come across as fakes or phonies and those who come across as genuine. Who do you prefer to spend time with? Who do you trust?  Who do you respect? If you said “authentic people,” you’re not alone. There’s something so … Read more

Feeling Unfulfilled? 8 Foundations for Building a Fulfilling Life

Featured image fulfilling life

Have you ever looked around at your life and wondered why, despite all your accomplishments, you still feel a sense of emptiness?  It’s a common experience to feel unfulfilled even when everything seems to be going well on the surface. This feeling can be a sign that something deeper within you needs attention and care. … Read more

The Power of a 30-Day Challenge (Plus, 30 to Try!)

Best 30-Day Challenges: Should I Give One a Try?

Stopping a bad habit or starting a new positive, healthy habit can be hard.  Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way to make the process less daunting? The good news is that transforming your life doesn’t have to be about taking giant leaps—it can be as simple as making one small change at … Read more

Changing Direction: Five Lessons About Change to Create a Life You Love

Changing Direction: Five Lessons About Change to Create a Life You Love

Change can be difficult, but do you know what’s even more difficult? Not changing when things in your life aren’t taking you in the right direction.  As Ferris Bueller said, life goes by pretty fast. Do you really want to spend it being stuck in a life that’s not bringing you all the joy and … Read more

Self-Love Lessons: 7 Steps to a More Loving Relationship with Yourself

self-love habits and mindset

  This Is a Story About Self-Love    It doesn’t begin all that great.  I urge you to stick with the story a bit, because there are many self-love lessons learned along the way that have the power to change your life.  I know; these principles changed my life and I’ve heard from many, many … Read more