“If you are what you should be, then you will set the world on fire.”

– St. Catherine of Siena

On April 29, 2011, Kate Middleton wed Prince William and is now Catherine Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge. On that day, one of the numerous commentators uttered a quote depicting Catherine that I will never forget, and that quote was the one you see above.

Kate Middleton, defined who she was and did not let the public sway her prior to her nuptials. Kate Middleton chose to present herself to the world as the beautiful, refined lady that we now see dazzling Britain and the rest of the world, and she has indeed “set the world on fire”.

She did not shrink to a commoners expectations and believe simply because of William’s position of royalty that she should be in his shadow, but she also did not push and shove her way to the forefront. Instead, her character drew the limelight to where she is now standing. They adore her because of who she decided she would be, and who she is is someone who epitomizes the grace and style the world is absolutely captivated by.

Often, the mistake can be made that we succumb to the belief that our past defines us – where we grew up, who we used to hang out with, etc, etc and that we cannot escape it. However, the good news is each day is an opportunity to define who we really are, who we truly know ourselves to be. At the end of the day, who we are is completely up to each one of us.

“The greatest thing is, at any moment, to be willing to give up who we are in order to become all that we can be.” –Max De Preen

The thrilling and frightening part, depending upon how you wish to look at it, is that each day is a new opportunity to be who we want to be – a go-getter who doesn’t back down, a frugal gal who saves money for her future while creating stylish outfits that captivate onlookers, an entrepreneur who won’t let “no” stop her in her tracks, a person with a big heart who refuses to be cynical.  Whatever you want to be, you can be – don’t become stuck in the rut of believing something is impossible or that you no longer have the ability to change who you are – your behavior, your image, your lifestyle, etc.

While we all accept that we can’t change the past, we can change how we move forward – in what manner, style and demeanor.  So why not decide to be the self you want to be, the self you aspire to be and before you know it, habit will give way to the wish becoming the reality.

“Never mind searching for who you are.  Search for the person you aspire to be.”  ~Robert Brault

The world wants you to realize who you can become, who you are capable of being and when you hit the right note, when you tap into the essence of who you can be, the response will be electrifying and exhilarating.

How?

*Raise the expectations of what you believe is possible for yourself

*Believe that anything is possible

*Find positive role models and surround yourself with a healthy social circle

*Get out of your own way

*Practice positive self-talk

*Cultivate good habits

*Be resilient & learn the lesson

*Be clear about what you want

*Muster up self-discipline

*Gather the essentials for a lovely and fulfilling life