What is #UpGradeButton?

Years ago, I started including this hashtag in many of my social media posts where I jotted down an accomplishment or inspiring revelation.  I felt the mental vision of literally pushing a large button that said ‘UpGrade’ on it enhanced the expression of what ever I was writing.  I meant it all to be inspiring, to be motivational.  Not for others at first, rather for my own benefit of the satisfaction from mentally pushing something that justified the small or large successes with oomph! 

It quickly became addictive.  I absolutely became exuberant every time I typed in #UpGradeButton.  Suddenly the keys on my computer’s keypad were pushed with the might of the proverbial exclamation point.  The excitement was easily read in my posts and with it came a contagion.  My friends found their own motivation through pressing their #UpGradeButton and I began receiving messages of gratitude.  For me it was another level for appreciation of what this hashtag was becoming right before me, evolving on its own. 

It was a button to hit when kicking my own butt in a workout or when making the decision to hike up to a summit that led to a stunning view with crisp air.  I pushed the button when I bought a ‘power outfit’ and wore it out, feeling on-top of the world, knowing there was not one bad compliment that could push me off the self-high I was on.  I hit the button hard when I closed a deal and helped others accomplish their housing goals, all the celebrations of achievements after what could prove to be long, hard roads before the result came.  I threw up my hands in surrender and pushed the button when I left a toxic relationship, choosing to love myself more.

The #UpGradeButton became something I pushed any time I choose something positive, something that kept me on track of my personal goals.  It was a button I pushed through the process of something and after.  Pushing with vigor from the relief that came when the breathing room finally filled the space once taken by the arduous task at hand.  I realized I had created something that not only I needed in my life, but others could benefit from. 

So, I give it to you.  To all of you.  We all need an #UpGradeButton to help fill up our buckets of ‘winning at life’.  You got this, for all the entanglements of what is: ‘life’.  Push it, push it HARD, you deserve it!  To hit that UpGrade on life, on a situation, on a connection, you worked for it, so own your successes!  I know how life can bring us down, so much chaos and drama, so much confusion and disappointment but we don’t have to settle for normalizing such things.  We can push our #UpGradeButton and UpGrade our lives, our circumstances, our outlook.  

Life is not meant to be easy; all the hard lessons and experiences are what bring the best results whether that be our characteristics internally or what we hold in our physical world.  We can celebrate the little achievements, the daily reminders of the motivation that keeps us going and on track.  We can celebrate the big triumphs by looking back and appreciating how hard the work was, only to enjoy the end-result even more. 

Wherever you place your #UpGradeButton in your world, mentally or physically, I encourage you to push your button.  Push it with gumption, with wholeheartedness, with enthusiasm.  

You have earned the right and strength to UpGrade.  Push it!  Experience the joy and fulfillment from all the little accomplishments that add up to the great achievements.  

You deserve this!