Have you ever read a book that changed your life? I certainly have, and that book is "Live Your Dreams" by Les Brown, a renowned motivational speaker.

Before I stumbled upon "Live Your Dreams," I was stuck in a rut. I was a college dropout, living a life that wasn't truly mine. Each day felt like a monotonous struggle to make ends meet in a dead-end job that barely paid the bills. I was far from happy, and I had given up on my dreams and passions.

Then, one day, someone gave me Les Brown's book. I didn't own any books. In fact, I hated reading and avoided it whenever possible. School was a struggle for me, which left a bad taste in my mouth. I felt like I wasn't smart enough to succeed and gave up on the stupid notion that I had something great inside me to offer the world. I took the book home and threw it on my side dresser, assuming it would become a drink coaster.

The only books I willingly read were a handful of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. I worked summers at a camp for underprivileged children and thought it would be a great idea to read them a bedtime story. Wanting to keep it short and sweet for both our sakes, I landed on 'Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul' for our nightly ritual. Those stories were great! I remember the kids begging me to read just one more story before lights out. As the weeks continued, we stayed up later and later just to get another uplifting story into our hearts as we drifted off to dream about what our lives could be like.

Summer was over, and I was back home. Back to the harsh reality of my mundane life. And there sat Les Brown's book. It mocked me each time I clambered into bed. I hated that book. I had never heard of Les Brown, nor had I listened to or read any motivational speaker's books before. What could they say that is going to help me? They don't care about me. My life sucked, and nobody was going to save me. This was my harsh reality.  I had to suck it up and make it work.

My mom said, "Enjoy your youth while you can because life is going to get really hard, and the best days are your teenage years." That was terrifying. I was twenty-one years old, and my best years are behind me? So what's the point?

As I glared at Les Brown's book, I had a thought, "If I can read just the first chapter, it would be equivalent to one short story from the Chicken Soup books. If I can do that, then I can say I at least tried to read it and return it to my friend without feeling any guilt." So I reluctantly picked it up, careful not to crease any pages, and started to read.

As I read, I quickly started to feel uncomfortable. Was it getting hot in my room? Why am I sweating? Butterflies welled up inside me. It quickly became apparent that this book had superpowers. It was getting a physical reaction out of me - from reading words on a page? I desperately wanted to throw the book across the room, but it was magically glued to my fingers. I couldn't let go of it. Before I knew it, I found myself sobbing uncontrollably.

I was fighting through blurred vision to finish each paragraph, and I couldn't blow my nose fast enough to flip to a new page. It was as if he was speaking directly to my soul, and something that was buried deep inside me sparked back to life. Actually, it was more like a volcano erupting, which explains how hot it suddenly got. Whatever it was came violently to the surface and exploded out.

So when I say "Read a book, change your life," I literally mean it.

Les Brown's book taught me a valuable lesson: sometimes, all it takes is one whisper, one moment of inspiration, to turn your life around. In his own story, Les Brown overcame incredible odds and achieved his dreams, proving that it's possible for anyone to do the same. And now, it was time for me to start living my life and pursuing my dreams.

Inspired by his words, I decided to revisit a childhood dream that I had long abandoned. I used to be passionate about figure skating, but life had taken me in a different direction, filled with excuses and reasons why I couldn't pursue it. Les Brown's message ignited that inferno within me, and I took that fuel to rekindle that passion. I was going to make skating a central part of my life. How? I had no clue, and that didn't matter. The sheer decision to skate again was enough for me.

This was the beginning of my new life journey. I started practicing figure skating again and worked tirelessly to make up for lost time. The journey was not easy, and there were many challenges along the way. However, the motivation I gained from "Live Your Dreams" kept me going, even in the face of setbacks.

Then... I traveled the world!  Fifty-two countries and still counting!

With determination and Les Brown's guidance echoing in my mind, I not only achieved my dream of becoming a skilled figure skater, but I surpassed my own expectations. I went on to skate for Disney on Ice, traveling the globe and sharing my love for figure skating with audiences from all walks of life for over six incredible years. I was literally sprinkling magic in the hearts and eyes of all who watched the show!

"Live Your Dreams" was more than just a book; it was a lifeline that helped me rediscover my purpose and take the leap toward a more fulfilling life. Les Brown's words reminded me that it's never too late to chase your dreams and that with unwavering determination and a belief in oneself, remarkable things can happen.

So, if you're feeling stuck in life, searching for inspiration, or simply need a powerful reminder that your dreams are worth pursuing, I highly recommend reading Les Brown's "Live Your Dreams." You never know when that one whisper, that one book, can set you on the path to a life filled with passion, purpose, and the fulfillment of your dreams.

It's never too late.

Go find your magic - Love Hazel x0

Onc