Today is a new day! Today is proof that you successfully completed yesterday. Today is a new opportunity to do better, to be better. Take this opportunity to be the best you ever. There will be challenges and there will be triumphs. Regardless of the outcome, tomorrow is another day.

Success doesn't just happen.
It is a process.
It is a culmination of a series of steps.
In order to achieve success, you must first set a goal.
In order to set a goal, you must first have an aspiration.
In order to identify your aspiration you must have a dream.
Your Aspiration is fueled by your dreams.
Your Dreams are sparked by your ideas.
Your ideas are birthed in your thoughts.
When you speak your thoughts, you give life to your dreams.

Do not allow anyone to discourage your dreams because you have not completed your process.
Surround yourself with people who will encourage you.
No Dream killers allowed.
Darlene Pryor
https://www.facebook.com/tamarsdream/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Allow me to introduce myself.

Hello,
I am so glad you stopped by. I want to invite you to share with me as we journey through this trip called life. Like many of you, I have had ups and downs and twists and turns during my life that have all led to a sequence of events that landed me here. Where is here? You might ask.

I am a divorced mother of five sons living in Lancaster, Ca. trying to regain control of a life that has here-to-fore meandered along wistfully. My sons are off making their marks in this world in their own way and I could not be prouder of them.

So you know where I am. Let me tell you a little about the who I am and why. I am a survivor, literally. I was always a very active lady. I mean, I used to run and lift weights back before most black women believed it was cute to sweat. I had dreams of becoming a personal trainer, but I never made a step to pursue that dream.  I also wanted to run a marathon. Through the years, things happened, life happened. As a single parent it was not always easy to maintain a fitness routine. My weight and size would fluctuate over the years., along with my fitness level. Another dream I had carried from the time I was a teenager was to write a book. I actually started that one. In 1998-ish I started writing a novel with the working title Dreams Of Tamar. But, once again, life got in the way and I put my unfinished manuscript aside.

 In  October of 2010 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went through treatment; chemo, surgery, radiation, the whole nine. All while completing my final year of graduate school. In the Spring of 2012 I broke my right ankle and lost all flexibility (it seemed) in my right foot and ankle. It wasn't until 2014 that I was able to begin running again. Between work and my son's activities, not to mention the added stress of a divorce, it was difficult to maintain a consistent routine. (Oh yes, I got married in 2006 and divorced in 2015.) But I kept at it, sporadically. I even managed to lose weight from 150 down to 118.

In 2015, after the last of my babies had moved out of the house and my divorce was finalized, I packed up my manuscript along with my chihuahua/dachshund/ jackrussel, named Jack and headed out to California. Time for me to follow my dreams. I headed out here holding onto the promise that my ladder days would be greater than my former.

I have been here a little over a year now. I have completed my first novel, Dreams of Tamar and gained 22 pounds during the process.

So what to do now? I have fulfilled one dream. I wrote a book. Now on to the next goal, publishing. I have started working toward another dream, running a marathon. I am far from that at this point. Baby steps right? I joined The Camp Transformation Center and I am now in the fifth week of their six week challenge. I was supposed to lose 20 pounds in six weeks. I'll let you know how that turns out in a week.Meanwhile, I am stronger, healthier and more energetic than I have been in years.  https://www.facebook.com/tamarsdream/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel