grateful for my challenges and influences

this morning an email popped up in my inbox from my dad. usually (okay, always) when my dad takes the time to send me a link, i can count on the fact that it's gonna be a good one. today's link was no exception.

 
it motivated me more than anything has in a very long time. i felt like immediately re-evaluating my life and making sure all things in my life are helping, not hindering, my goals and biggest priorities. 
 
it also caused me to reflect on the things that have helped me become who i am and brought me where i am today. the speaker mentions one of his greatest assets is his former homelessness. i'm grateful too for the loss, the heartache, and the disappointment i've experienced in life. 
 
because my low points have motivated me to work harder, do better, and rise above. they've also made my achievements and success that much sweeter. 
 
it also reminded me of the people who pushed me to be better than i would've been without their influence. 


i'm grateful that i had a piano teacher for 10 years who was as fierce as a tiger. she didn't take any crap and i didn't dare let her down. i remember once when i was 10 years old, she told me to correct my hand position while playing a piece. the next week i repeated the mistake at my lesson, and she told me, “if you come back to my office next week and your hand position isn't fixed, i will never teach you again.” you better believe it was fixed by my next lesson. she taught me that practicing something until it was right wasn't enough. i had to practice it until i couldn't do it wrong, until my fingers would no longer let me play those notes wrong. she taught me that if 5 hours wasn't enough, i needed to practice 8. and if 8 hours wasn't cutting it, i better start putting 10 hours in a day. she shaped my character like clay on a potter's table. and i will never be able to adequately express my gratitude for her powerful, life-altering influence.

 
if you need a pick-me-up, watch this video. if you are wondering if you should quit on something you've wanted so badly, watch this video. if you need to know where to start because you feel so lost, or like you're so far at the bottom, you don't even know what to do, watch this video.
 
 
“when you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you'll be successful.”
 
 
 
 

Corrine Stokoe

Corrine Stokoe is a blogger, podcaster and content creator behind the brand Mint Arrow. She and her husband Neil live in South Orange County with their 5 kids, she runs her blog and business with 7 team members, where they find the best daily deals and share favorite finds in fashion and beauty. They also run a podcast called Mint Arrow Messages. Mint Arrow has been featured in Forbes, Women's Wear Daily, Business Insider, The Wall Street Journal, AdWeek and Allure. Corrine is passionate about sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ as often as she can and teaching others to use social media for good.

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Hi, I’m Corrine and it’s pretty simple. I think you deserve to buy the things you want at a price you can afford. Here you can find the best deals and steals on high end fashion, as well as beauty and wellness tutorials.

Comments

  1. Hi. I follow you on Instagram (lifewithkimberly) &amp; saw that you posted about this… Thank you so much for sharing this. It&#39;s comforting to realize I&#39;m not alone in my thinking. And this video definitely inspired me. I hope your having a good day! Love, Kim.<br />Www.lifewith-kim.blogspot.com (i&#39;m new to this!) :)<br />

    1. hi kim, i&#39;m so glad you liked the video! i thought it was truly amazing too. thanks so much for leaving a comment!

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