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Author Archives: Inga Lizdenyte

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About Inga Lizdenyte

Inga Lizdenyte is a Keynote Speaker on Inspiration, Empowerment, and Christian faith. Certified Life Coach, and Author of the book "UNSTOPPABLE. It's a Choice". Inga’s mission is to inspire others, share the message of hope and faith, and empower individuals to persevere, overcome and achieve. After losing both of her legs and the use of her left arm in a tragic car accident at the age of 22, Inga was able to transform her life from not being able to speak, move or do anything independently, to traveling three years later by herself from her home country Lithuania, EU to California, USA and successfully building a dynamic and fulfilling life in spite of all odds. Many people claimed that the car accident destroyed her life, but Inga set an example of how you can turn destruction into victory, and live a fulfilling life no matter what happens. By offering her speaking and coaching services, Inga now aims to make a difference in people’s lives. Inga brings the message of hope and faith by sharing her personal testimony of the living God’s power to restore the broken and turn the impossible into possible. Along with the message about faith, through practical advice and coaching Inga equips individuals to be strong in any circumstances, break through obstacles and achieve their goals.

…Is it worth it?

02 Mar

This week I was reminded again how important it is to be very careful listening to other people’s opposing opinions and better yet – Not to listen them at all if you Know in your heart what it is that you are supposed to do.

It is scary to even think about where I would be in my life today, if I allowed the irony and smiles of others to change my decisions on my goals… I heard sooo many suggestions of what I should do with my choices and my life… and IF I had listened to opinions that I was crazy with my goals and intentions, and instead I should have done what they thought I should do – I would not have come to California, would not have reached my “impossible” dream goals and would not be as happy as I am.

 If God gave you the vision and opportunity to implement it – people’s opinions, fears and suggestions of what you should do must have no impact on your decision. First, we do not know Why people say what they say. We do not know what’s in their heart and what their intentions are. Besides, their opinions are based on their beliefs, their own past experiences and fears, attitudes and their perspectives. But it is theirs, not yours. This is Your life. You know what you believe in, you have your vision and only you can know what the right thing for you to do is. So hold on to your vision and your faith no matter what people say, and just keep moving forward toward your vision.

 People will say their suggestion to you, forget about it and then continue their lives. And what if you, by altering your decision according to their opinions, might miss what God has prepared for you. …Is it worth it?

 
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Posted by on March 2, 2012 in Faith, God, Inspiration, Miscellaneous, Motivation, My Life, Uncategorized

 

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Something that carried me through…

22 Feb

Commitment, Action, Persistence, having control over your thoughts and your inner state is absolutely critical to have. But there is one more thing, without which I would not have made it. I got knocked down and deeply disappointed so many times, and even having all these qualities sometimes it seemed I did not have strength to get up and make another step… But there was one thing that did not let me give up. It got me up each time I fell down. It carried me on the arms when I could not walk any more. It gave me hope in the darkest time. Basically all my big goals seemed nearly Impossible, and sometimes I would ask myself “Inga…what are you doing…are you out of your mind..it’s IMPOSSIBLE!”  but there was something that gave the birth to strong determination to go after those impossible goals. It’s my faith that with God’s help I will create the life that I desire. I would not have rebuilt my life after the crash, if God would not have created opportunities for me and would not have given me strength and ability to handle it all. Faith in God never fails, trust me. And those who seek Him with all their heart, find Him. 

 

 
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Posted by on February 22, 2012 in Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Miscellaneous, My Life, Prayer, Uncategorized

 

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It’s Your Choice

20 Feb

Problems either break you or make you stronger and it depends on you where you will end up. It’s your Choice what you are going to do about them will determine the end result. You have a choice to say “Oh well, such is life..” Or you have a choice to say that this is just a challenge for you and with God’s help you are going to conquer all the obstacles. You have a choice to sit and complain about how difficult it is Or take your problem with courage and look for the best solution. Problems will always come; they are a natural part of life. It’s what you are going to do about them will determine your future. Be strong, and make it a great week! Make a choice to have it a great week.:)

 
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Posted by on February 20, 2012 in Faith, Inspiration, Miscellaneous, Motivation, My Life, Uncategorized

 

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Commitment to your vision

17 Feb
Commitment to your vision
This week I was reminded about one of the ingredients that went into my life pie.:) Remember, in my earlier posting I said that just like you need numerous ingredients to make a pie, it takes several important things to handle various unfavorable situations in life, overcome obstacles or achieve what you want,?:)
One of the things that helped me to get through the most challenging times was a Commitment to my vision. I did not “wish” a better life. I had a burning desire to have a better life. I wanted get back into active full lifestyle and I was committed to making it happen.

Goosebumps go through my body when I remember those years, when I was training to walk with artificial legs. It was exhausting work and endless pain. Every step I made felt like someone was stabbing me with a knife. Still, I was learning to make those steps, just so I can walk again. After walking for 1.5 hrs, my thighs were swolen, covered with bruzes, sores and even opened wounds. I would put the medicine and the bandage on the sores, and would train again. My decision to walk again was non-negotiable. Even though realistically It seemed impossible for me to walk and I was told so many times I should just leave that alone and take a different strategy for my life, I kept training and going for my dream. I was so committed that I did not even listen to people’s opinions nor did I negotiate with pain, my mood or daily “want and don’t want”. The time came when I did reach my dream. I did walk. There is no way I would have walked again, if I was not fully committed to my dream.

When 8 years ago I decided to go to California to see how I could establish myself in this beautiful land, I had absolutely no means or guarantees to implement my idea. I did not have a place to live, did not have a lot of money and did not have a job. I did not even have the right to live and work in the country. I knew English pretty well, but I hardly understood Americans. In addition to that, I had no idea how I could move around independently in the manual wheelchair, cook meals for myself with one hand and just generally take care of myself being in such physical condition that I am. The idea of living in California seemed very exciting, of course, but I was in a very tough position – I had absolutely no resources to make it happen. I had my faith in God, several Americans who loved me, my suitcase and a dream.:) That’s how I started… I put my faith in God and myself I was fully committed to make it happen regardless of how much effort and work it would take. Today I live the dream that seemed nearly impossible… In fact, I have more than I could have ever dreamed of…

The interesting thing was my mindset: when I decided to go to America. I did not go to “try” establish myself there. I was going to do it. I did not leave any alternative to myself. I knew I would live in California before I even flew down here. I had no idea how I could possibly implement my desire, but there was no doubt that I would succeed. Yes, it required determination, devotion, hard work, and persistence. I was very blessed in whatever I did and was protected from evil, but it did take a lot of effort and hard work. Of course there were times when it seemed I would have given away anything just so I can be at home in Lithuania with my family and friends. But I knew I could not just drop everything and leave.The full commitment to my dream pushed me forward through the difficult times. My commitment to the outcome moves me forward up to this day, and I am holding that standard.

…The obstacles, challenges and various problems will come into your life, whether you want it or not. But if are truly committed, you will overcome it all. There might be the facts of your reality that ironically smiles at you saying that your goal is nearly impossible. But if you are truly commited to your vision – you will find a way to realize it.There cannot be “Trying to do it”. Don’t try. Just do it. Of course it is necessary to be wise about the decisions, but the truth is that you must be fully committed if you are going after some big vision, because obstacles will show up without a doubt. It’s what you are going to do when they come will determine your result. Trying is a state of mind when you allow the possibility of not making it happen. Commitment makes your decision non-negotiable. You will achieve what you want, because then you will be absolutely determined to do whatever it takes to realize your vision.

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Posted by on February 17, 2012 in Faith, Inspiration, Miscellaneous, Motivation, My Life, Uncategorized

 

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Commitment vs Trying

15 Feb

I just had a class Commitment vs Trying at International Coach Academy, and once again it reminded me that  it’s not simple conversations or thoughts about what would be nice to have or achieve will help to implement our vision or achieve some goals. It is a commitment to our goal. It is Not giving up when we face the obstacles, challenges or problems that come into our lives. It is not being discouraged when the facts show that our goal is nearly impossible. It is a commitment to do whatever it takes to achieve the goal and to realize the vision that we have. There cannot be “Trying to do it”. When I hear people say “I will try”, I automatically respond “Don’t try. Just do it.” 🙂 Trying is a state of mind when you allow the possibility of not making it happen. The danger having you “trying” is that deep inside you already have the fear of not making it happen, and you might let it go once you see big obstacles. If you truly want something – there is no trying. You either do it or don’t do it. It is giving a 100% of yourself. It is Not allowing anybody and anything to stop you. It is a non-negotiable decision.

 
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Posted by on February 15, 2012 in Inspiration, Miscellaneous, Motivation, My Life, Uncategorized

 

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Don’t stop

15 Feb

When you go home through the harsh rain and wind, you don’t stop in the middle of the way because it is cold and difficult to walk, right? You keep walking because you know where you are going, and if you just keep moving forward, you are going to get home,  where it’s warm and cozy. In fact, you hurry to get there faster.

It’s the same with life. Hold your sight on your vision and keep walking in spite of the life storms. Don’t stop. Keep moving forward knowing that you are going to reach your vision soon or later.

 
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Posted by on February 15, 2012 in Inspiration, Miscellaneous, Motivation, My Life, Uncategorized

 

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The detail that will greatly impact your outcome

10 Feb
What makes a difference why sometimes people overcome pain and obstacles and sometimes don’t? This question has been on my mind for quite a long time.
 As I was going through my challenges the first several years since the accident, I never really analyzed what made me do what I did and what helped handle the pain and overcome obstacles that made my vision look nearly impossible.  I just knew I would never give up on my vision and would not allow anybody to talk me out of it. I consistently moved forward in life breaking through the obstacles that I met on my way. I had my sight on my vision, was holding on to my faith and would not let anything to stop me. Only after I implemented some of my biggest goals, I started thinking about what helped me to go through my toughest times and reach that, which seemed impossible. Especially it made me think about it once I started hearing people say “I’m not as strong as you are”. Listening to them, I would ask myself “Why do they think they are not strong enough to handle their situation or that I am stronger than they are?  
The truth is that it is not that I am stronger or better. It is what I decided to do after I had the crash. Observing people’s comments, I see that it seems to many that I handled everything easily because I am “naturally strong”. Well, No it was never easy. Never. At times the emotional pain was just unbearable. I do get those hits on the ongoing basis.:) and No it is not easy. Sometimes it seems that the further I go in life, the stronger hits I get. But I keep going.  I am committed to my outcome and I do not allow myself to give up on it when it gets tough.  Often I say that problems either break you or make you stronger, and it depends on you what result you are going to have. I learned something very powerful that I use to handle whatever I have to face. There are several things that are important. It is like only by putting numerous various ingredients you can make a cake.:) But today I am talking about the detail that greatly influences how we feel and how we handle unfavorable situations.

 

I shared in my previous post that faith is my strong foundation and it is the main source of strength to handle it all.  Faith set the mindset that empowered me at all times. It gave me the hope and strength to move on no matter how desperate my situation seemed to be.

 

There is another critical part to it. It is the power of how you communicate to yourself about what happens and what you are going to do about it. Observing myself and other people, I started seeing that how things turn after unfavorable event happens, most of the times depends on how we look at it. Why? That’s where our journey starts either toward winning or losing the game. The reason being why it is so crucial is because depending on how we interpret the event and communicate to ourselves our ability to handle it, we will feel either low self-esteem or even helpless Or strong and empowered, and That will determine what we are going to do next. Would you agree that we choose different action when we feel helpless and doubtful, and when we feel determined and empowered? 

 

Having the same event, you have two choices of how you look at it and what you say to yourself. Is this a punishment or is this a lesson for you? Is this a loss or an opened opportunity to have new and better? Does this situation show you are not capable or does this situation show there is an area where you can improve yourself, so you can do better next time? Is this a dead end or a challenge for you to find a way because you know there must be a way? Is this too much for you to handle or not? Your first choice to say to yourself is “I am not strong enough to take it. This is too much for me”. Second choice – say to yourself “God doesn’t give us more than we can handle, and so that means I am strong enough to take it.  And I am strong enough not just to cope with it, but I will take it with courage and with God’s help I will win the game”. Would you agree that communicating things that empower and dis-empower you, will deliver totally different result in your life?
So it is important to be careful with how you communicate to yourself about what happens, and what you say to yourself whether you can or cannot get the outcome you want.
Which mindset are you going to choose? It depends what outcome you want to have in your life. You are the one, who decides how you look at things and what you think about. We cannot control events that happen in our lives, but we can control how we look at it and then what we do about it.
So, be strong and choose the perspective that will empower you. You will see a big difference!
 
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Posted by on February 10, 2012 in Faith, God, Inspiration, Miscellaneous, Motivation, My Life, Uncategorized

 

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Where to get inner strength?

03 Feb

I hope your week was a good and productive one, and you had strength to endure various problems, overcome obstacles and handle some unexpected unpleasant surprises that life throws at us sometimes.:)

Talking about strength, I hear a lot people saying that I am strong, and they ask me where from  I get that strength and endurance to go through  all the physical and emotional pain, and to do things that I do. Yes, pain and difficulties tested me and made me only stronger. I know, character and personality has a lot to do with it. And I will agree I am stubborn.:) My Mom used to complain about my stubbornness :), but really stubbornness is one of those qualities that helped me to get through the most challenging times. But you know what is my real source of strength? God is my strength.  Prayer and faith – this is my source of strength and driving force. I know, this might not sound “serious” to you or “religious stuff” :), I am sure you have heard numerous times about it, and maybe really what you would like to hear is something concrete and tangible. 

 As strange as it might seem to you, faith is much more than a good job, friends or money. All of you know that people or any beneficial contacts might betray you. One day they can seem to be your best friend and even promise to love you and never leave you, but then another day they break their word and disappear from your life. Also, one day you have money, house or outstanding career, but it might be gone in a flash any day. From my experience I learned very well – one day you have it all, and the next day you might lose it all. But faith will never disappoint you. Yes, faith is not tangible and it is invisible. But it has an immense power and it can turn the impossible into possible. There is nothing more powerful than a prayer and faith in God.

We all are spiritual beings, and such qualities like inner strength is not based on material things or economic status. Material wealth might give you confidence, if that’s where you put your highest values (the problem with that is that you will lose the confidence if/when you lose the source of that material wealth).  But have you experienced being well economically, but feeling sad, depressed and unhappy anyway? It’s what is within you makes a difference on how you feel.  Jesus said once that if we drink the water that he gives, we will never be thirsty. He is the source of inner peace, strength and joy. While  I was in the Intensive Care Unit on a verge of life and death, I had absolutely incredible experience, and I don’t just believe Jesus is alive in his Spirit. I know he is.

Faith is my strong foundation. It always gave me hope, and it gave me courage and strength to move forward no matter how desparate my situation was. It lifted me up when I fell down. It gave me inner strength to take another step when I felt exhausted. It helped me to move forward in life in spite of obstacles and difficulties that I had to face.I know sometimes it is not easy to trust God, who is invisible, because we human beings naturally rely on something that we can see, touch, feel and have confidence in. We tend to hope for help from supernatural power only when we cannot do anything to change our situation. Have you heard people saying “Well..now only God can help”? That’s exactly what taught me to seek God. I’ve been in such situations numerous times, and that’s when I had the biggest miracles happening in my life – when I put my trust in God, not on people or any resources.

You feel tired, deeply disappointed, worried, afraid or even desperate? I want to encourage you to try do the same. Be like a little child and seek God. Trust anyway. Try to seek for help and for inner strength in a prayer. Just close the door of your room… and talk to God. He always answers to those, who seek him with all their heart.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV)

 
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Posted by on February 3, 2012 in Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Miscellaneous, Motivation, My Life, Prayer, Uncategorized

 

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Can you move forward by going backwards?

01 Feb

Everyone has various events that hurt us. I’m sure all of you experienced pain because of some daily events or people, who hurt you. Usually we dwell on that for some time, thinking about it right? 

Can you move forward by going backwards? Same way, you can’t move forward in life, if in your mind you keep going back to what had happened earlier. The past events now are only the facts that cannot be changed. It’s a “historical” fact.:) Also, going back to them in your mind won’t make you feel better nor will it empower you. In fact, you make it only worse for yourself, because by constantly thinking about your unsuccessful attempt to accomplish something, who hurt you or what you have lost, you re-live the pain over and over again. 

 Your faith, empowering attitude and actions that you choose today can make a change. By focusing on what you have today (forget what you have lost or what you cannot do!) and how you can improve your circumstances can change the direction of your life.  Your past events cannot determine how you feel nor can it determine your future, if you decide not to dwell on your past, but move forward creating the life you truly desire.  Take care, and… step forward, not backwards.  

 

 
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Posted by on February 1, 2012 in Uncategorized

 

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Rise Above It

22 Jan
…Lately  I have been thinking about gratitude and the power of focus. What we focus on dramatically affects how we feel and what we do.  I remember very well this special moment that was like a turning point in my life. I think it was about 5 or 6 years ago. At the time I recently moved to the United States from Europe. I lived in a land of sunshine California, but I felt very unhappy. Everything in my life seemed dreary, cold and dark. I did not feel happy nor was I even pleased with my life. I was on the bus going home from work. I did not want to go home. I did not want to see anyone and I did not want to do anything. I just felt empty and depressed. As I was driving and looking through the window, black thoughts were bombarding my mind. I did not see even one reason why I could feel happy or at least at ease. I caught myself feeling this way and asked myself “How did I get to this..? How in the world I got myself to the point that I feel so unhappy..?!” Suddenly, I felt this quiet gentle voice within me “Rise above it. Rise above all your problems and what you are not happy about. Inga, look at how much good you have in your life! But you don’t see it because you are focused on what doesn’t go the way you want it to go and you are constantly thinking about what you are not happy about. Rise above all you are not happy about.  Rise above your dissatisfaction and look how much good you have in your life.”  In my mind I envisioned myself going up and leaving behind all that made me unhappy. I left behind my dissatisfaction, my daily routine, household and job duties, concerns, problems, worries.   As I left it all below, here above it felt so good and bright. I felt at ease!  I looked at the horizon and I saw Success, Happiness, Joy and Victories of my goals to be achieved yet. I was so longing for the sheer joy and easiness… I was so longing for the excitement of moving forward and achieving the goals that were getting me closer to my ultimate vision.  The victory was ahead of me waiting for me to reach it, but… I stopped moving toward it. Just a while ago I had so many goals that I wanted to achieve. I was striving for excellence every time I did something. I had such a beautiful vision for the life I wanted to create! But I lost my vision because I switched my focus on that, which was right in front of me  – facts of today’s reality. I focused on the parts of my life that made me irritated, unhappy and annoyed. I was constantly thinking about that, which made me unhappy instead of what I have achieved and what made my life fulfilling and beautiful. I focused on what was not working for me instead of seeking how I could implement the vision of the life I wanted to have. I knew I needed to switch my focus back to my vision. I needed to rise above all that made me so unhappy, leave it all behind and move toward implementing my dream. I had to walk in faith – I had to see my dream to be achieved. I had to choose to think about what I wanted my life to be like and how I could realize that, instead of what I was unhappy about. I will not implement my vision and I will not be happy if I am going to dwell on what was not working for me. I needed to shift my focus.
 
This was the day when my depressed inner state turned around. It seemed like someone opened my eyes and I saw what I didn’t see before – my life truly was amazing and I had so much beautiful in  my life!  All of a sudden I saw how much good I had in my life. I came to the U.S. knowing only one person and now I had so many wonderful people in my life. When I decided to move to California, I had nothing except my suitcase, few friends and my dream, and now I do live in this absolutely gorgeous spot of the world! I move around independently, work, travel and enjoy my life just as I did prior the accident. When I decided to establish myself in California,I said to my family and friends that my next goal is almost as impossible as a flight to the moon, but I am going to try it anyway. And I landed! I literally live the dream that seemed nearly impossible! My life is just a miracle… I have so much more to accomplish and I have the opportunity to do that!  That moment I felt that all those details that made me unhappy could not even compare to all what made my life so beautiful. I could not believe I did not see it before! And I did not see it only because I was focused on what was wrong in my life. I was constantly thinking about what I did not like and what I was unhappy about. Since that day I stopped doing that.
 
I made the decision to put my effort Not to dwell on things that I was not happy about. I had too many good things happening in my life to waste my time and my emotions on the negative. I decided to focus on how much beautiful I have, what I have achieved so far and what I was going to accomplish yet. If there were situations that I was not happy about, instead of sitting complaining or being drown in dissatisfaction about it, I was seeking for the ways how I could improve my circumstances, so I don’t have to feel this way any more. And I did not even bother myself thinking about some things that were irritable. That was a new beginning for me. In my mind I kept the vision of the life I wanted to create, consistently worked on my goals, and by achieving one goal after another I improved my life conditions and my circumstances. Today I live my vision. Of course life had and still has its own moments and unexpected surprises, but I always remember what that quiet voice gently told me.
 
Today I want to pass that message to you, who took the time to read it – “Rise above it…. Don’t look what’s in front of you. Rise above it and look ahead. See the vision of the life you want to create, and move toward it.”
~ Inga Lizdenyte
 
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Posted by on January 22, 2012 in Faith, Inspiration, Miscellaneous, Motivation

 

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