Look in the mirror and you will see change staring back at you. And as they say, objects in the mirror are closer than they appear. Time is flying by and the best is not yet to come, it’s already here. Enjoy it.
Photographer Unknown
Our Hidden Strength
The term "ole" (usually sung at soccer games and bullfights) was originated centuries ago in Northern Africa during tribal dance gatherings. Once in a while a dancer would move in such an incredible way that the spectators would chant "Allah Allah". They believed that in that moment, God entered the dancer's body, giving them the power to go beyond human capabilities. When the Moors invaded Spain they took this custom with them but the pronunciation changed from Allah to ole.
When striving for greatness, we sometimes tap into a hidden energy and gain the ability to rise above ourselves. Whether you believe it's caused by God or by an inner strength, it's a state of being that we need to cultivate.
Photograph by © Mike Leeds
Photograph by © Lucas Gilman // Kayaker: Rafa Ortiz
Photograph by © Lucas Gilman
EMBRACE UNCERTAINTY
We can't wait to reach the top of the mountain, but the happiness and growth happens during the climb. Look at the top of the peak on the right.
Photo by Will Wissman
As your faith is strengthened you will find that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great delight and benefit.
- Emmanuel Teney
Photo by Jaider Lozano // www.6feetandperfect-gallery.com
A woman says in this trailer "Before you jump off the cliff you've got a million things racing through your mind, once you jump... nothing." I've noticed fear is like that, you're afraid before the action, not during. If you're feeling anxious about taking a leap, just know that all the anxiety fades away once you step off the edge.
European Outdoor Film Tour (E.O.F.T.) - Official Trailer 12/13 from Vincent Urban on Vimeo.
People want certainty that they won’t get hurt, that they'll be successful or that the risk will be worth the reward. The desire for certainty scares us into living unfulfilled lives, never taking the leap we know we need to take. Although we fear the unknown; we need it for progress, success and self-discovery. Embrace uncertainty.
Photo by Lucas Gilman // Athlete: Jesse Coombs // Location: Mesa Falls, ID, USA
Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer.
- Machiavelli
Photo by Tom Servais // www.6feetandperfect-gallery.com
The clear road ahead - It’s easy, it’s popular, it’s comforting, it’s safe, it’s unfulfilling, it’s monotony, it’s defeat, it’s not you. Get off the next exit.
RELAX. YOUR SHIP WILL ONLY COME WHEN THE SEA IS CALM.
Feel like you're drowning? I hope I see the day when the word “work” is associated with gratification and satisfaction instead of distress and monotony. Hopefully someday “work hard” will no longer be perceived as putting time and energy into an undesirable act for a desired result. In order for that to happen, we need to change the desired result from money to waking up feeling excited about the “work” we are about to do. The funny thing is that once you do that the money will follow.
© Tim McKenna // Athlete: Teiva Joyeux // Location: Teahupoo, French Polynesia
You'll have a whole eternity to think inside the box.
By wrdbnr.com
Do you feel like you already know what today is going to be like? Routines and comfort zones threaten our growth. If a relationship's not growing, if your skills aren't growing, if you're not growing, it doesn't matter how much money you have, how many people love you, you're not happy. If you feel like your days are mundane and predictable then pretty soon your weeks will be the same. Then months, years and even your whole life. Make it a habit to surprise yourself with spontaneous adventures.
More important than skills or knowledge is your emotion and psychological strength. This invisible force shapes your destiny. Your ability will get you up in the air; your state of mind will land you safely.
Photo by Ricky Adam
BE COURAGEOUS THIS MONTH
Take on a challenge that you always thought was beyond your capability. Pursue an idea despite not knowing if people will respond positively. Dive into a relationship even if you've been hurt. Embrace vulnerability and reveal yourself without holding back.
Exposing who we are (good and bad) takes lots of courage. The root of the word courage is cor—the Latin word for heart. It's originally meaning was “To connect by revealing all of your heart.” For more on this watch Brene Brown's Ted talk.
Photographer unknown
Photo by ©Clark Little
Photo by ©Mike Leeds
©Ugo Jump
FUEL FOR LIFE
You need to be able to sacrifice who you are for what you will become.
Photograph by Sarah Lee
Belief is confidence emerging from the anticipation of success.
Photograph by Jussi Grznar
The best journeys answer questions that in the beginning, you didn't even think to ask. A line from a great travel documentary "180 degrees South".
Photograph by Jussi Grznar
This documentary "Touching the Void" (also on netflix) tells an incredible survival story that is definitely worth watching. Joe Simpson escaped certain death on his attempt to climb Siula Grande (6,344m) in the Peruvian Andes. Alone with a broken leg, 100 feet inside of a crevasse, he had no chance of climbing up. He had to decide whether to give up and wait for his death or climb down the crevasse into the dark unknown. Venturing into what seemed to be a dead end was a decision that wound up saving his life. Sometimes the path we need to take is disguised as a treacherous road to know where.
If you look back in history, taking a plunge or facing danger is usually associated with freedom and strength. It seems like in the present, it's almost always associated with fear and pain.
Photograph by Oli Gagnon
When you travel you realize that people are wrong about other countries. This is Africa.
Photograph by Jody MacDonald
If there is an official LiveUnbound sculpture, then this is it!
Sculpture by Zenos Frudakis Location: 16th and Vine Streets, Philadelphia, USA
The limitations of what we can and can’t do were created by us and will be broken by us. Breaking boundaries or going against existing beliefs often seems unrealistic and even foolish. But since they are inaccurate to begin with, it's okay to be "foolish". Do it not only for your own personal freedom, but also to spark the imagination of those trapped in the illusion of inability.
Photograph by Andrew Buckley
When was the last time you woke up and felt like today was going to be the best day of your life? Let go of the tired notion that the best is yet to come. Today is a new day with unlimited opportunities.
Photograph by Scott Serfas
What if your commute to work looked like this?
Photograph by Clark Little
If you're interested in how the picture above was captured then watch this video. This is just another day in the office for photographer Clark Little. He is a perfect example of how you turn your passion into a successful career.
THE IRONY OF MONEY
We all want to be able to make a living doing work that we love. Work that allows us to express ourselves, create impact, help others, travel the world or whatever it is that you desire. We often settle for less because of life's challenges and responsibilities. Yesterday I posted a poll on the LiveUnbound facebook page asking: What is the biggest obstacle you face when working towards turning your dreams into reality? Money obligations won by a landslide with 86 votes. It's ironic because financial success usually happens when people are passionate about what they're doing. It's easy to fall into the trap of playing it "safe". As for the runner up, fear is usually not connected to any true danger or threat. People are afraid of something that might happen, not something that is happening. Kind of reminds me of this picture.
Photo by © Above Photography