Watch this and try not to cry. I dare you. For anyone who wants some inspiration today, Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator, will give it to you. One of my favorite speeches of all time.

Three important things that Jim talks about that we should strive to do every day.

1. LAUGH

2. SPEND SOME TIME IN THOUGHT

3. HAVE YOUR EMOTIONS MOVED TO TEARS

"Because... if you laugh, you think, and you cry... that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're gonna have something special...

I urge all of you, all of you, to enjoy your life; the precious moments you have. Spend each day with some laughter, some thought, and to get your emotions going; to be enthusiastic; to keep your dreams alive, despite what problems you have; to be able to work hard for your dreams to become a reality."

What are you going to do today to bring some laughter into your life, some thought, and some inspiration? What a difference it can make to focus on these three simple things!

Another thing I love from this speech:

"What's important in life is where you started, where you are, and where you're going to be. Those are the three things I try to do every day."

This is something I've been thinking a lot about lately. Whatever your goals or your dreams may be, JUST START. Sometimes that's the hardest part: starting. It doesn't matter where you are now. Write down your goals, write down your dreams, and just start today. Don't worry about your pace of achieving these goals... just focus on the baby steps and the small improvements. As long as we're moving, we're progressing. Only you and God fully understand what you can become, so keep pushing forward.

Another favorite from his speech:

"Cancer can take all my physical abilities. But it CANNOT touch my mind, it CANNOT touch my heart, and it CANNOT touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever."

What powerful words. We truly are not defined by our trials... we are defined by the way we get through them.

And lastly, his famous line:

"DON'T GIVE UP. DON'T EVER GIVE UP."

Wherever you are in life, in whatever stage or situation you find yourself in... NEVER GIVE UP. You are worth fighting for, and your trials and weaknesses DO NOT define you. Keep moving forward, and know that you are loved and worth loving.

Happy FRI-YAY.