When times are good, count your blessings. Realize how good your life is, and make a habit of noting it. Because when times are bad, you're gonna want to recall your blessings. When times are bad, counting your blessings can be the lifeline you desperately need.

Humans are fallible. They can be downright rotten. But it doesn't help you in the least to focus on their faults. In fact, it can make it worse for you. I know, I have the acid reflux from getting myself worked up over being surrounded by idiots. Idiots of my own assessment that is. Why … Continue reading How You See Them →

The quickest way I can get myself in a bad mood is to start judging someone else. If I linger in my judgement long enough, I end up hurting my own feelings making up stories about how awful someone is and the awful interactions we might have. The quickest way out of that bad vibe, … Continue reading Judgement →

Time keeps on marching and it goes by fast. So, if you're enjoying something, pay attention and be grateful for it, because the time will slip by faster than you want. But also, if you're not having a good time, don't worry too much because this time is also zipping by. It's already been four … Continue reading It Goes By Fast →

Thanks to social media and even mainstream media, we're directed to be overly concerned with how others are living their lives, more specifically how wrong they are, in living their lives. But what about you? What goes around comes around, so I'm sure you're getting judged for every little step, and I'm sure you don't … Continue reading What About You? →

A new year gives us a blank slate to start over, and lots of us choose resolutions wanting to start a new good habit and drop some bad ones. But we tend to put a lot of pressure on becoming a whole new person, and most of us abandon the resolutions within a few weeks, … Continue reading Start Small →

It's obvious but necessary to point out that complaining is mostly pointless. It can be a nasty habit that will annoy whoever is listening, and put yourself in an even worse mood. It's deceptive, because you think it will feel good to gripe about an annoyance, but instead it can just magnify what's wrong and … Continue reading Complaining →

I woke up refreshed on this New Year's Day, ready to return to this blog. I took time off directly after the US election because my disappointment and disgust in people stopped me from having anything worthwhile to say. I've been off social media since then as well, and it has been glorious. But that's … Continue reading New Year’s Day 2025 →

November is a month filled with darkness. The days are short and dark. The weather snaps into cold and darkness seemingly overnight. Those animals that hybernate when it becomes cold and dark like this might have the right idea. This darkness has overwhelmed me, and I think I'm going to go hybernate myself.

Money isn't the root of all evil. The root is coming from the people who choose greed over all else. Choosing to look past a clearly deranged unfit moron because of your own greed, thinking you'll somehow save a few pennies from a blundering con artist makes it clear that you are blinded by greed. … Continue reading Money →

Loss is actually a natural part of the cycle of life. And all life goes on this cycle. Fighting against loss, or letting loss stop you from continuing on is unnatural. And that's why it hurts so much.

Kinship of our fellow man is natural. There's only one fundamental race on the planet, the human race. It's all of these divisions that are unnatural.

A fundamental problem is that people have let themselves be convinced that joy can come from outside sources. So then they go on a neverending downward spiral of binging and consuming in the pursuit of that "real joy". Joy comes from within. It is an innate gift that no outside source will ever match.

Your instincts work better and become more reliable the more you trust them. This goes the same for all of your relationships.

What becomes of us if and when we finally lose all of our humanity? AI has been created to supposedly assist us, but it seems like it's actually on track to take over. And as we let more and more of our decency and humanity slip away, that might be just as well.

They say that there are seven stages of grief. What they seem to not stress is that it never fully goes away. And that any one of those seven stages might pop up again when you least expect it. You just don't graduate from it and get a certificate showing you don't need to relive … Continue reading Grief →

Fair isn't always comfortable but it is honorable. If you go for your comfort over what is fair, then someone is going to suffer. And what goes around will come back around again.

Equality is ideal and it sure sounds nice. However, not everyone has equal abilities or proclivities. Some choose to be kind and caring to others. Some physically or mentally can't navigate the life they've been given without support. And some choose to use what they have to take advantage of others less able, or simply … Continue reading Equality →

Death is a part of every day of our life. Even if we don't see it, it looms overhead. It's strange that it has to happen, this cap on our life. Perhaps it's designed that way so that we know we have to appreciate our life while we do get to live it since it … Continue reading Death →

Compassion may be innate, but it doesn't stick around unless you cultivate it. You have to practice being compassionate towards others, otherwise this cruel world will knock it right out of you. Remember that you expect compassion when you need it. So it goes for everyone else. We're all in this together.

We celebrate each other's birthdays because we all want to be celebrated for just existing. We all want to be acknowledged for being here. And celebrating the day we arrived is a great way to do it. Celebrate. Remember how nice it feels getting acknowledged and be sure to do the same for everyone else.

We're trained to not be satisfied with what we have, but to want another and then another and then another. When does it stop? When do you feel you'll have enough and can get started enjoying your life? I believe you get to decide that.

Time is a funny thing. Some years can be so momentous that they seem to last forever as they dominate the story of your life. Others seem to zip by as if they didn't even happen, and yet you find yourself another year older. And then, there are the years that are filled with unforgettable … Continue reading Years →

Why is it that in order to win, there has to be a loser? Why can't it be a win-win?

Visibility is not always under your control. Now, what you present is in your hands. You never know who's watching, but that doesn't matter if you live with integrity.

It's amazing that this needs to be stated, but when someone lies and lies so badly that they're unbelievable, then don't believe them. But that's the con man and conspiracy nutjob's main play, to convince you not to believe what you see and know, but to doubt it, and then on the flip side, to … Continue reading Unbelievable →

Talk is cheap, actions count. And when someone can't even speak coherently, even though talk is the cheapest tactic out there, then their worth isn't very high. It's bad enough to bluster, but when the bluster doesn't even make sense, it's time to stop listening.

If all you do is chase status, then that becomes your status. You are a chaser, concerned with appearance over substance. In the end, status isn't as appealing on the inside as it seems on the outside.

There is so much rudeness out there, but is there really? Are they rude, or just not following your inner dictates? It's true that thoughtlessness is the rudest behaviour around, much ruder than aggression even. But, are they thoughtless or just stupid? Maybe you're giving them too much credit. In any case, your judgement is … Continue reading Rude →

We all are surrounded by individuals in our lives that we care about, that we think are good. And yet, they're people. And people suck. So, how are these individuals not the same as the people that suck so bad "out there" and not be rotten themselves? Maybe they are. Or maybe we don't judge … Continue reading People →

Ordinary for you might not be ordinary for them, and vice-versa. So, ease up on the judging. That goes for them, too.

Being nervous means you care, but your focus may be off. You might be focusing too much on what could go wrong instead of what could go right. When you make this switch, you might feel the same but then realize that it's excitment you're feeling instead. Feeling excited and feeling nervous feel the same, … Continue reading Nervous →

Mostly is the best you can expect. Nothing is absolute-absolute. There are too many variables. So, appreciate what you have, and get on with living.

Things can get so heavy and dark, and it can be seductive to stay that way. But that's a trap, and can only make you feel worse, the more you entertain the darkness. There needs to be levity. We all need some light in our lives. And we're all responsible to bring it. Rather than … Continue reading Levity →

Knowledge can only help you if you act on it. It can become a trap if all you do is continue seeking more knowledge, anything to get you a different result. You can end up spinning your wheels trying to pick apart what you know.

Justice and revenge can seem extrememly similar, but there is a difference. Revenge will pull you right down to their level, and usually even lower. You aren't getting justice in that case, you're turning the tables and becoming the villain yourself. Be careful with revenge because as they say, when you seek revenge you dig … Continue reading Justice →

Inspiration can be found anywhere. You have to decide to be inspired. That's the deal with being a creator of your life.

History is all about things that are done. It's not advisable to always dwell on it. However, it can be a great teacher, especially if you see things repeating. The benefit of history is we can see how things turned out when certain choices were made. So, if those results weren't ideal in the current … Continue reading History →

Good enough is just simply good, full stop. What's enough is all of these qualifiers. Enough qualifying everything as "enough" or "younger" or "cooler" or "better." Things are as they are.

Sure, everything has a finale, a final time to exist exactly as it is. But that is just one way to see it. Because everything changes, then the finale of one chapter is the beginning of another. It's all in how you look at it.

Endings always have two sides to them. Because they're also beginnings to something else. It's all in how you look at it.

Death is a mystery, or specifically, what happens after is. The fact of death happening is not a mystery. Death comes for every one of us. The sooner you accept it as a fact, the sooner and more fully you can live. Enjoy your life while you have it, because this part of the process … Continue reading Death →

Being calm is not the same as being in denial. Being in denial is full of fear and stress to avoid a difficult situation. Being calm is facing it and not letting your opinion of the situation make it worse. That's why it's always best to remain calm.

We have to believe in better days ahead just as much as we think of the better days from before. If they happened before they can and will happen again. Believe in better days.

Accidents do happen. That's just part of the deal with navigating through a complicated life. What's unnecessary is getting angry with yourself and the situation when it's an accident. Don't add to the stress of it. That much you can do.

Even if you feel like you don't have a choice, don't make it unless you're willing to. Remember that your free will is inherent.

Younger isn't better, it's just different. You're younger than some, and some are younger than you. Let's get over trying to compete with our differences, and instead celebrate what we have.

You're bound to take a wrong turn at some point. The journey is winding and gets created along the way. So a wrong turn isn't really final, it's just a pivot. The best way to deal with a wrong turn is to admit it isn't working and make a new choice. Keep on the journey.

There's always an upside. It may be harder to find than the downside sometimes, but it's there. Stop looking at the pitfalls so much, and look for the upside. At the least it will keep your spirits up.

Today is all you have. Tomorrow is an idea, but once you get there, it's another today. Yesterdays are also ideas as memories, and those things are fuzzy and unreliable. Today is it. Enjoy it while it lasts.

You'll never feel safe in an unsafe environment. How can you? You can feel guarded with weapons to kill intruders. But prisons also have guards with weapons. So, are you helping the problem, or adding to it?

Why are we rushing? What is the point of rushing, when the finish line is absolute for all of us? It's probably best to take your time and enjoy the path along the way, because there's no going back. Let's stop rushing.

Patience is a virtue not only because it makes you more pleasant to be around for other people, but because it helps handling life to be more pleasant for you. Practice patience.

It's an effective strategy to make us forget that "other" people are also just people. They're just trying to navigate this world and survive like everyone else. The best thing you can do for yourself is remember that other people are people just like you and treat them with the same respect you expect for … Continue reading Other People →

We are now bombarded with "breaking news" 24/7. But is it really news? Or is it just sensational "gossip" phrased to keep us on edge and tuned in for as much of our personal 24 hours as possible? After all, eyeballs translate into ad dollars, somehow. Really, how does all of this excess "news" help? … Continue reading News →

It's a little too simple to say that money is the root of all evil, it's just a thing. But monetization however, is an act. And monetizing every single thing in our modern life, that seems pretty damn evil.

The modern world has made us believe that consumerism equals living. And in order to keep up with the incessant demands of consumerism, we must work as much as possible. We are led to believe that life is consuming and working to consume, nothing else. No wonder mental health issues are at a maximum crisis … Continue reading Living →

If you suppress your emotions, not letting them out, they'll just swirl around inside you until they get tangled into knots. And then, like a bunch of necklace chains that have been haphazardly neglected so they're all tangled up, it will take time and patience to be able to unravel them again. Heavy emotions are … Continue reading Knots →

The thing about junk is it costs a lot more than it's worth. We fill our shopping carts and our bodies with junk to satisfy a craving, thinking it's a cheap and easy way to fill the emptiness we're feeling. But that junk never satisfies. And worse, it only clogs and clutters, causing pain, sickness … Continue reading Junk →

They're not inside your mind, no matter how well they may seem to know you. So, have a little grace with your relationships and remember to communicate as well as you can. They may still get it wrong, because again, they're not inside your mind so they won't ever know your exact intent, no matter … Continue reading Inside →

We get so wrapped up in trying to figure out how we can accomplish something, that we risk losing the plot altogether. It's important to be very clear on what you want to accomplish and not waver, and then figure out who you need to go to for help. Once those are solid, then the … Continue reading How →

Goodness is always there to make life pleasant to live. Fighting against it and being "bad" may seem thrilling, but it has a cost, and the cost is you will chase thrills and fall further and further just trying to make life livable. Being good isn't so difficult after all. It's simple, but makes things … Continue reading Goodness →

Fear is supposed to be helpful. But it should only be entertained in small doses. Ultimately, it's a tool. Remember, you're the one in charge of the toolbox, not the other way around.

Expectations are what get you in trouble. If you build it up too much, and then the person or team doesn't act the way you expected, you're going to get yourself upset. Take people at face value. And if they end up actually being turds in human form, then you can be disappointed and disgusted … Continue reading Expectations →

Depression is real but invisible. And it will lie to you. It will tell you there is no hope, there is no point in getting help. And because it's invisible, others can't see it unless you tell them. Yet depression will convince you that telling them is a bad idea. It does make you wonder … Continue reading Depression →

Comfort will deceive you. If you stay too long in it, it becomes a prison. Stay even longer, and you realize you aren't even comfortable, you're just used to it. It's advisable to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. That's a better way to keep out of the comfort prison.

Often, the hardest part of achieving a goal is just getting started. You can get all wound up in planning and worrying about how to do it, and if it will go well. The best way to achieve it, is to simply begin. It doesn't have to start out perfect, it just has to start. … Continue reading Begin →

Access works both ways. Remember that anything you have access to also has access to you.

Anyone who wants to stop you from believing that how you run your life is your choice is afraid. They're afraid that if you knew you could choose that you wouldn't choose them. And they're afraid that they somehow don't have the same choice for themselves. Fear can be destructive.

Believe in your wishes, but be clear on them too. Make sure you know which ones are fun fantasies, and which ones can become goals. If the ones that can be goals stay as just wishes for too long, holding onto them is being cruel to yourself. Do something about them, or let them go. … Continue reading Wishes →

Enjoy your visits. Make them memorable. Most of the time you won't return. And even if you have every intention of going back, it's not guaranteed.

Being united works when everyone realizes they are all the same at the core. The idea of "teams" or any other kind of label is artificial and just a way to divide and weaken us all. We are stronger together. We can help each other to all live a better life, when we are united.

Tears streaming down your face can be embarrassing, they can be inconvenient. But, luckily your body is smarter than some of your wacky ideas of what to be embarrassed or annoyed about. Tears are a sign your body knows it is important to release some of those heavy or big emotions, rather than bottle them … Continue reading Tears →

Holiday sales are exciting. You get a chance to buy that thing you wanted for a discount. You even get to buy things you didn't want at a discount. It makes you wonder how if the price is so low now, why wasn't it always this way? Could it be that they just want to … Continue reading Sales →

A request is not a demand, it requires an agreement from the other party to fulfill. A demand flat out insists. Think of when something is demanded of you. You may do it, but there's no respect in the choice from you, and you certainly don't feel respected by them. So, if you want to … Continue reading Request →

Praise for your achievements can feel great, but don't get addicted to it. It can throw you off-kilter, making you chase more of it at the expense of good work. And, you can never really know the full meaning behind the praise. Sure, take it as well-meaning, but move on quickly, and continue doing good … Continue reading Praise →

Onward is the way to focus your energy. Sure, you're not as young as you once were, but bemoaning that and looking back too long only wastes your present, and you're not getting any younger. Do you want to look back at this time and realize that you spent it griping about missing the time … Continue reading Onward →

Remember, each day you get is a new day. A new chance to enjoy your blessings rather than gripe about your troubles. A new chance to be kind to your neighbors and coworkers, rather than treat them with disdain based on what you thought of them yesterday. And a new chance to do the things … Continue reading New Day →

Movement is the answer to a lot of issues. Move from the position you're stuck on, physically or mentally. Move your body, if you can, so that it can use the energy from the food you're feeding it, rather than just storing it. Move from whatever you're staring at to give yourself new ideas. Keep … Continue reading Move →

Laughter feels like a miracle. It transcends all language and culture barriers. It can be found in any corner of the world. People are capable of feeling a bit of levity and can summon up their laughter even when they've been beaten completely down... if something is funny enough. Surely some people can use it … Continue reading Laughter →

Kindness is natural. Cruelty is a malignant reaction. A cruel person is sick, and anyone who would follow them is, for lack of a more effective word, stupid. By the way, Jesus taught kindness, it was the crux of his message. Not sure how the disconnect got so twisted, but it seems the ones who … Continue reading Kindness →

Justice that is bought is not justice, it is vengeance and agenda. True justice cannot occur if the supposedly highest court has been manufactured to enact agenda and vengeance over equity, no matter how righteous the operators behind it pretend to be.

Anything can be interesting, as long as you're interested. You're in charge of yourself. This also works for you as a person too. If you're interested, you become so very interesting to others.

Help when you can. Because how it works on this one planet we share, is that there will come a time when you yourself will find that you're in need, and you will hope and pray that someone will be kind enough to help. What goes around comes around. That's another thing that happens on … Continue reading Help →

Gratitude is so powerful because when you don't feel it, you focus on lack and grievances. You feel awful. When you feel gratitude, not only do you think of the blessings your grateful for, but the very act of thinking this way makes you feel happy. That's a win-win.

When you're really young, you prioritize having fun. That's when you're the most creative, when you learn the fastest, and when you are the happiest you'll ever be. As soon as that priority is stamped down all the other things diminish as well. Perhaps having fun isn't so frivolous after all.

Life is filled with exits. Since you're in charge of your life, you might as well make your exits memorable. And remember the good thing about exits is they are also always entrances into the next scene, chapter or phase.

Destiny is a cop-out. People blame it to take responsibility out of their own hands, when in fact they are creating their life moment by moment through their God given ability to choose. Yes, they're right when they say that "God has a plan" but that plan is to let us have a life with … Continue reading Destiny →

Anytime I've heard someone say "I don't care," they say it with such emotion, whether it's annoyance, or defeat that it's painfully obvious they do indeed care. I wonder when it became fashionable to pretend you're not human and you don't care? And I wonder who decided it was better to sound like a sociopath … Continue reading Care →

In a world full of darkness, choose to be bright. "Bright" as in the opposite of dark and gloomy, and "bright" as in not a dummy. It's such a rarity these days, that choosing to be bright is truly brave. Be brave, and inspire the world.

Attacking someone for their age is such a tacky cheap shot. Because no one can help but age. Only the truly ignorant don't realize it. That's why marketing and media love to exploit ageism because the ignorant and young will gobble that up and are easy prey to spend any amount they can to not … Continue reading Age →

A year used to seem like a long time, now the years just zip by like nothing. Knowing that we only get so many years, perhaps we should pay attention. Enjoy them while they last. And don't waste your time on anything that isn't really worthwhile. Because honestly, you can't afford it.

They say that words can't hurt you, but that's more like wishful thinking. Words can definitely be used as weapons. Sure, on their own they can be harmless, but depending on the intent behind their use, they can sting and punch. Not only can they hurt others, but your own words can just as easily … Continue reading Words →

Seeking vengeance is foolish, because ultimately we're all the same, all self-centered and stupid in the same way. If you enact violent vengeance for a wrongdoing then you suddenly switch from victim to villain, and can expect them to retaliate. No, the best revenge is to rise above and do better. Even more than that, … Continue reading Vengeance →

Ask anyone with wisdom from experience and they will tell you not to take your good fortune for granted. Don't think you're above the hard knocks of life hitting you. Because that just means things have been smooth sailing for you only until those knocks come. It's a rough world, thanks to people. So, be … Continue reading Until →

Everything has a limited season, even with something insanely popular, ultimately the time's up and it's no longer relevant. Like this last arduously long season of righteous hatred mixed with a flirtation of fascism. At first glance it seems like it's spread to darken the whole world, but if you look closer you'll see that … Continue reading Time’s Up →

Having savings is a wise practice. But, savings can only help you if you use it and not hoard it. And you can only use it if you've created it. As with anything for a successful life, it requires that you be thoughtful about it.

Rejection can hurt, especially if it's given cruelly instead of handled graciously. But sometimes it can't be avoided. That's why it's important to remember how it feels to be on the receiving end before you send your own rejection out. The golden rule applies here.

When all you have to give is only your presence, give it fully. It's what your loved ones want most, after all.

The idea of "ordinary" is completely subjective. What is ordinary to one person could be completely foreign to another. So, don't let that be an insult or a judgement. Live your life how you see fit, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone and doesn't take away from anyone else living their ordinary life. By … Continue reading Ordinary →