Having complex feelings is probably the most human quality we possess. And as much as we try, we cannot control them. Perhaps that's the secret to really living as a human. Stop trying to control everything.
Enjoy It
Enjoy it now. Do not wait, as there is no guarantee you'll get to it later. Besides, it might not even be as good later on. Also, you can't expect to get anything more, or progress if you hoard what you have. So, enjoy it now, while you can. All you have is the present … Continue reading Enjoy It
Distance
The thing about having such powerful mental capabilities is that people don't have to be physically apart in order to have great distance between them. You could be sitting next to someone, but mentally miles away. Distance is a mental game. How close you are to someone is determined by how you think of it. … Continue reading Distance
Consumers
The interesting thing about consumers is that if all they do is consume, and don't contribute, eventually we'll run out of things. It can't be all consumption all the time. It doesn't even do the trick to fill that void, does it? Perhaps it's time for more creation, more innovation, more progression.
Be Kind
Be kind in this world. Not because these people deserve it, I've met plenty of them, and I agree they don't. But it's important to be kind in order to change the tide. Add kindness to this jaded, self-righteous, selfish world, because it desperately needs it if it's going to have any chance at survival.
All Over Again
The days, weeks, months and seasons come and go and then come back all over again. That's what makes up your life. But never take it for granted. Because there will come the time when it won't come back all over again. At that time, you're experiencing your last season, your last month, your last … Continue reading All Over Again
What to do
You are in charge of deciding for your life. You're not always in charge of the options. But you are definitely in charge of your choice among them. So, what are you going to do? Because ultimately you are the one who will have to do it. It's not a completely fair deal, but it … Continue reading What to do
Visibility
Everything in this life is achieved with some sort of help from others. No man is an island as they say. So, in order to achieve anything you need contacts. And the best way to achieve contacts is with visibility, you need to put yourself out there and be seen. However, these days it seems … Continue reading Visibility
Upgrades
Since you can't return your life, why not think of just adding a few upgrades when you want it to improve? Drink more water, add in more exercise, eat less sugar and more veggies. No need to do a complete overhaul and certainly not all at once. But if you can work to add these … Continue reading Upgrades
Terminal
The fact is, that what we are all dealing with is terminal. Life is terminal. It has an end, and there's no stopping that. That's why we should all live while we can. Make the most of it, as it isn't unlimited.
Stick the Landing
It's true that a first impression is vital. However, even if you get off to a rocky start, you still have a chance to recover, if you stick the landing. That is, if you leave the meeting with a lasting, positive and memorable close.
Resistance
Resistance will always be a struggle, that's kind of it's whole vibe. Go for progress, that's the way the energy naturally flows anyway. Rather than wasting your time resisting what you're against, why not focus on creating what you are for? Go for creation. Look ahead and make that great. Stop resisting what's happening right … Continue reading Resistance
Pride
Pride is a sneaky emotion. If you entertain too much belief in it, you start losing your grip on reality, and confusing your ability to make effective progress. Pride can also build a wall between you and others. People often mix up their idea of self-confidence with pride. It's important to be confident in who … Continue reading Pride
Overworking
Overworking shouldn't be glamorized and it's nothing to commend. It is, ironically, a symptom of something not working right. It comes from either a lack of confidence in one's accomplishments, or as an extreme distraction to avoid another aspect of one's life. What's worse is it will lead to total burnout, which means whatever the … Continue reading Overworking
Not Nice
Being not nice isn't the same thing as being not good. Just like being nice doesn't equate to being good. Nice is mask; put on, at best, out of desperation to please, and at worst, to deceive. If you're going for good, then choose to be kind, not nice.
May
May is the month where summer starts giving a sneak peak of its coming attractions. The weather starts to get warm, or it tries to, and the dark days of winter are finally a faded memory. TV shows wrap up their seasons in May, and students wrap up their school year. Graduation ceremonies commence for … Continue reading May
Lessons
Anything can be looked at as a lesson. We're still learning, and when we go through something, it helps to remember that there is a lesson in there that can help for the next time. It also helps to remember that the lessons never stop. In other words, you're not done, you don't know it … Continue reading Lessons
Keepsakes
Keepsakes are lovely until they get too precious. Remember that nothing holds any kind of memory in and of itself. You attach the memory to it. The memory lives inside of you. A keepsake is nice, but it's still just a material object. Your memories transcend the physical and can go and be anywhere you … Continue reading Keepsakes
Jumping to Conclusions
We've all been guilty of jumping to conclusions. That usually means making a hasty judgement that isn't correct. It's called "jumping" because when that happens you get right into it, you don't cautiously stroll up to it. Jumping is risky, and jumping to conclusions rarely pays off. So, try to be less hasty, more aware … Continue reading Jumping to Conclusions
Intuition
Intuition is really there to help you. Or maybe intuition is really you that is there to help. After all, think about when you hear your inner monologue, who is listening? For that matter, who's speaking the thoughts? There's a personality, and there's the witness to it. Somewhere in there, is intuition.
Help
For some people, asking for help is the hardest thing to ask. And sometimes it's what's needed the most for these same people. This should be broadcast to everyone for the very reason that if someone's asking for help, it could be a matter of life or death. Have compassion, and help when you can.
Generosity
Generosity isn't so much about what you give, but more about the spirit that you give it in. You could shower tons of money at someone, but if you're only buying yourself a favorable image, then that isn't generous it's a business transaction. On the other hand, you could give away a tattered rag, but … Continue reading Generosity
Feelings
Feelings influence your experience. And your thoughts influence your feelings. If you want to know why your experience is the way it is, then take a closer look at your thoughts. The great thing about this is that thoughts can be changed.
Equality
The idea of equality can be tricky as it doesn't guarantee fairness. Equality could provide the same exact resources to everyone, however everyone doesn't experience the same circumstances and therefore wouldn't benefit from the resources equally. On the other hand, equity is when the different circumstances are considered, and so the resources are allocated accordingly … Continue reading Equality
Directions
Directions can point the way to your destination. Directions can also lay out how to get there. But you still have to get moving. Directions help, but your actions create results.
Consequences
Every action, every choice has a reaction, or consequences. This should be considered. It shouldn't paralyze you from making a choice, but it should most certainly be considered before doing so. Every choice has it's consequences. It's not avoidable, but it can be effective in narrowing down the best possible choice for your own consideration. … Continue reading Consequences
Better
No pressure, and you're not truly in competition with anyone else on how to "do" your life, but if you can aim to do just a little bit better each day, well then you're winning. Really, why wouldn't you want to be be better than yesterday? What else would be the point of sticking around?
Arguable
Any opinion is arguable, as it's just one perspective. It might be wise to remember this, before insisting on sharing it. Unless you're also up for debate.
Yes Man
A Yes Man is not something to aspire to. They're someone who agrees and blindly supports the opinions ideas and actions of some type of "leader." That kind of blind allegiance is not only foolish, it's dangerous. It's why they exaggerate how evil imperialism is in fiction. You were either a yes man to Darth … Continue reading Yes Man
Worry
They say that worrying just makes you suffer twice. They also say that most of the things you worry about don't even end up happening. So, in that case you're simply making yourself suffer needlessly. At any rate, worrying is being cruel to yourself. It also means that you're stuck up in your head playing … Continue reading Worry
Viewpoint
You may have a particular viewpoint on a subject, but that doesn't mean it's set in stone. It certainly doesn't mean you have all of the facts, no matter how clear your point of view seems to you. There's always more to the story. And there's always the option to change your viewpoint. So ease … Continue reading Viewpoint
Until It Is
It isn't the right time, until it is. In other words, don't worry so much. It will all happen as it's supposed to happen. Worrying about the timing, and how to control the events that play out, only puts stress on you so you don't enjoy any of it anyway. Focus on this moment, and … Continue reading Until It Is
Tolerant
The idea of being tolerant or not just shows how self-important we are. As if whatever we think about how others live their lives matters one bit, and vice versa. It's like each and every one of us think we're mighty kings with the divine power to grant permission for the others to exist. Of … Continue reading Tolerant
Safety
True safety cannot be given by weapons and walls. In fact, those provide the opposite of safety, they create prisons of fear... and actual prisons. A wall doesn't just keep others out, it traps you in. No, safety doesn't come from those things. Distrust, paranoia, and lethal weapons will never bring peace to your heart. … Continue reading Safety
Rest
We're all so tired, because we are vastly overstimulated. And, somehow we've confused rest with distraction. We need a rest from stress, but instead of actually giving ourselves that, we distract ourselves with any number of modern-day dopamine-dripping distractions. That is not rest, that is more stimulation! It's no wonder we are exhausted. It may … Continue reading Rest
Personal
It's advised not to take anything personally. That would certainly save your feelings from being hurt by other's careless words and actions. And really, when you take it personally, then it's you who is hurting your feelings, by your own interpretation of the events. Can't get any more personal than that.
Ordinary Days
Sure, there are great milestones we all celebrate. But for the most part, it's the ordinary days that make up a life. It's the ordinary days that bring cherished memories. And it's these very ordinary days that will be missed the most when they are no more. They may be ordinary, but they're filled with … Continue reading Ordinary Days
Nice
It's a wonderful thing to be genuinely nice. But if you force yourself to act nice, for the sake of appearances, the pressure will ultimately do you in. All it takes is one final run-in with a thoughtless jerk, and that pressure-cooker of a "nice" facade will burst. Then, heaven help that jerk. It might … Continue reading Nice
Moods
Moods change constantly, so don't get hung up on them. If you find yourself in a funky mood, know that it will pass quicker than you realize. If you find yourself in a wonderful mood, appreciate the heck out of it, because it will pass quicker than you realize. Having a full spectrum of moods … Continue reading Moods
Laughter
It's pretty easy to agree that laughter is a wonderful sound. Unless it's mean-spirited. Have you ever noticed how you can instantly know if a gathered group is joyfully laughing, or unkindly snickering? You can feel it. That right there is proof that you have powerful senses. That you can read a room by your … Continue reading Laughter
Keep Progressing
Keep progressing. That's what humans have been doing since their creation. It's the reason why we're still here today. The ones that held on to the old ways, are the ones that died out the quickest. Keep progressing, because if you're not then you're just rotting, conservatively.
Just go forward
Just go forward in life. That's the way life moves anyway. It's when people try to hold back, try to stay back in the past that dysfunction sets in. What worked for the past will not fully work now, because it's a different world now. Life moves forward. If you don't want to be miserable, … Continue reading Just go forward
Influence
To be able to influence someone, you need their buy-in. They have to allow it. So, really they're doing the work. It would be wise to remember this for yourself. No one can influence you without your consent to it. You make the choice to agree with them or not. Ultimately, you make the choice … Continue reading Influence
Happiness
Happiness isn't a noun it's a verb. In other words, it's not a destination, something to win, or achieve, and then you have it, it's an active state of being, and you get to keep creating it. It's like clean hair. You don't just get clean hair, and then you're done, you got it. You … Continue reading Happiness
Guessing Game
When you play the guessing game, you try your luck at guessing until you land upon the correct answer. It's the same with life, only there is no one correct answer. It's all a guessing game, and it's all made up-- that is, created, as you go along. Might as well enjoy yourself and play.
Figure it out
Eventually, in one way or another, you're going to figure it out. And, you may realize that you don't need to have it all figured out in order to have a happy life. That's when you've really figured it out.
Explain it
Unless you can explain it with ease, from all aspects of it, you don't know exactly what you're talking about. There's always more to the story. Don't take snippets of gossip and hearsay and run with it as if you're suddenly an authority. Because ignorance has gotten to a shameful level in this modern society … Continue reading Explain it
Details
Details can either be your greatest help or they can be your downfall. Sometimes having a lock on the details can help solve a critical issue. Sometimes you can get locked up in the details, missing the overall point. As with anything, it comes down to how you look at it.
Clutter
Clutter builds up when you aren't paying attention. It becomes cluttered from a lack of focus. The best way to handle clutter is to take stock of what's there, and choose to discard what isn't beneficial anymore. Then you can organize and honor what you really want to keep. This applies to thoughts just as … Continue reading Clutter
Breath
Your ability to breathe is your most valuable gift. Imagine having that taken away, anything else is worthless in comparison. It might be wise to start appreciating your breath. Start with that and see what you're led to appreciate next. Soon, you'll have a life filled with appreciation for countless blessings, all the way until … Continue reading Breath
April
April always brings with it a distinct sense of change in the air. The days finally start to feel longer and sunnier after a cold, dark winter. Spring does its thing, opening flowers and new life all around. And, suddenly you realize you're deep into the year that you thought had only just begun. Summer … Continue reading April
Yes and No
Sure, it's important to know how to effectively say "No" to what you don't want, and to establish boundaries. But it's even more important to know what you want to say "Yes" to, and to make those things be your primary focus. When you're living in your world of "Yes," you don't have to worry … Continue reading Yes and No
Worst Case
If you can imagine surviving the worst case scenario, then you can handle anything. And it's highly unlikely you'll ever see the worst case. Might as well drop all thoughts of that, and turn your direction completely around. Start imagining the best case scenario, in all endeavors. Make your focus be on the best outcome, … Continue reading Worst Case
Victory
Victory is achieved when you overcome an enemy. Truly the one you need to achieve victory from the most is your own negative thoughts of self. And you don't overcome that through battle, you overcome it through compassion and understanding. Once again, what's needed here is love. All you need is love. Love is all … Continue reading Victory
Under Pressure
Sometimes great things can be created under pressure, like a pearl or diamond. Sometimes things can breakdown under pressure, like a relationship, or a person. You don't always have to go crazy trying to become a diamond, when you should just appreciate being human.
Tedium
Our modern world is chock full of entertainments and distractions so that we don't have to spend one second in the tedium of having nothing to do. But, is this such a good thing? People are overstimulated, highly distracted, and anxiety is at an epidemic level. Perhaps a little boredom is necessary. Perhaps allowing space … Continue reading Tedium
Strong
Sometimes the greatest show of strength is allowing your weakness to be revealed. We're taught to put on a image that we're strong, so we can be safe in a hostile world. But, what if the way to ease the hostility, is if we all let our guards down, and show our vulnerability? It's true … Continue reading Strong
Respect
If you don't respect yourself, you will not get it from anyone else. First of all, you wouldn't accept it even if someone tried to give it, because you don't respect yourself. And not having self-respect broadcasts a message that it's fine if you're disrespected. It all starts with you, and how you treat yourself.
People
People are difficult. Especially when you group them simply as this amorphous entity, called "people." When thought of as a group, we then tend to think the group has all the negative qualities of the worst of its members. And those members are pretty terrible. But, when you think of a person, that's a different … Continue reading People
Ordinary
It's important to remember that what may seem to be ordinary to you, could very well be absolutely exotic to someone else. Your "normal" is only what you're used to. And what's foreign to you now, could be ordinary within a few months. Ordinary, much like beauty, is merely in the eye of the beholder. … Continue reading Ordinary
Nuisance
Something becomes a nuisance when you have an expectation of it happening in a different way. So, really, you're the creator of the nuisance because you're the creator of the expectation. You're in charge of your experience. Take it easy.
Mortality
The beauty of mortality is that because it is guaranteed to end, it causes you to appreciate the time you have. The sad part is that most people don't appreciate it until the very last minute. The main reason anyone would want immortality is so they would have unlimited chances to make up for not … Continue reading Mortality
Loneliness
Loneliness isn't so much of a social problem, as it is a creativity problem. It just takes a bit of imagination and curiosity for the world around you to realize that loneliness is simply just an option. And there are so many other, better ones to choose from.
Keepsake
A keepsake is something that holds sentimental value. But it's important to note that the object by itself holds no such thing. It is only what emotion you tie it to that makes it a keepsake. So if you lost the keepsake, or it was destroyed somehow, the emotional memory you had tied to it … Continue reading Keepsake
Judging
Judging someone else is more about you in the end than it is about them. You're judging them as compared to your own self-judgment and how it aligns. You're judging them as a way to distract yourself from your negative thoughts about yourself. Or you're judging them based on how you think others will judge … Continue reading Judging
Investment
It's worth considering if something is going to cost you, or if it is an investment. This is especially vital when it comes to a finite resource like time. You only get so much of it. Are you willing to pay the price of simply spending it, or do you want to make an investment … Continue reading Investment
Gratitude
Gratitude is the one prayer you need. Gratitude reminds you of your blessings, and welcomes more to come. Gratitude expresses your love. And gratitude is the only thing you need when you feel like you have nothing left to give. When was the last time you practiced gratitude?
Helpers
We all appreciate the helpers of society, the ones who are there for the unfortunate during a crisis. They're so needed. The thing is, someone has to be one, we can't all just stand by and appreciate them. In order for there to be helpers, there need to be volunteers to jump in and help. … Continue reading Helpers
Get Back Up
There's that famous quote about if you fall down seven times, get back up eight. Life is all about stumbling, fumbling and falling down, and your part in it is that you get back up. That's how you grow, that's how you learn, and that's how you know how good it can be, how good … Continue reading Get Back Up
Finish Line
The finish line is always also the starting line to something else. So, don't despair at reaching it. Don't be so quick to get there either, it isn't the end. You might as well just make the most of where you are right now.
Excerpt
Remember, you don't know the whole story about anybody. All you can ever know about somebody is a tiny excerpt from a vast and expansive life. So, don't jump to conclusions. Or, if you do, you do it at the risk of being the ass in an assumption. There's so much more to the story … Continue reading Excerpt
Dignity
Every choice is easy when you remember to keep your dignity in making it. There's usually only one option where your dignity stays intact. If you have to sacrifice your dignity, then you should be asking if it's really worth the cost. Because once you lose it, you don't get it back, or not the … Continue reading Dignity
Celebrate
Celebrate the milestones. Celebrate the wins. Celebrate the triumphs. Celebrate the precious moments shared with loved ones. We don't always get another chance to do so. And we only get one life. So, if you want it to be a joyous one, celebrate it.
Builders
We are all meant to be builders of our own incredible lives. You make it hard on yourself to do this when you are so focused on what everyone else is doing, especially people who have no idea that you even exist. If you feel lost, it's because you're off track. Get back to building … Continue reading Builders
Artificial
It's important to remember that no matter how impressive, if something is "artificial" that means it isn't the real thing. And nothing will compare to the real thing, even with all of it's human foibles. After all, the almighty creator is responsible for the real thing, not anything artificial.
Youth
They say that youth is wasted on the young, but truly, they can have it. Because with youth there is a lot of inexperience, ignorance and insecurity. And that's important, because all of those things motivate you to grow. In youth it is the perfect time to establish healthy ways to grow into your best … Continue reading Youth
Underneath
We're sold a lot of products and techniques in order to help keep our outside appearance looking acceptable. And, "acceptable" apparently means as young as possible, but in your prime, tan but not too dark, fit but "fit" per the current trend. It can be a full-time job just to keep up. It's all backwards … Continue reading Underneath
Tension
A little bit of tension can help motivate, a lot of tension can cause a final snap. The key is awareness. Be aware of what kind of tension you're dealing with. By the way, the key to everything is awareness.
Stress
Stress is a killer. You could eat the most healthy nutritious diet. You could hydrate perfectly. You could exercise, even stretch regularly, but if you don't have your stress levels in check, all those other things will only stave off an inevitably bitter end. Life brings stress, but you don't have to keep it. Learn … Continue reading Stress
Relationship
Everything in our life involves a relationship. That includes the relationship we have with ourselves. In fact, that one is fundamental. Your relationship with yourself will determine your relationship with anyone else. If you don't respect yourself, you have no respect to give another. If you don't love yourself, you have no love to give. … Continue reading Relationship
Presence
Like it or not, you bring with you a unique presence that is unmistakable. Hopefully you like this, and that means you've consciously thought about your presence and what it projects. You shouldn't be artificial, and you needn't be extra. You should just be deliberately, unapologetically you. Let your presence be known.
Obligations
We all have obligations we're duty-bound to fulfill, even though we'd rather have what we think is freedom. But it's those very obligations that enable us to enjoy the freedoms we have. And, we still have a choice whether or not to honor these obligations. Not everyone has that choice. Our obligations are better than … Continue reading Obligations
New
You get a chance for a new day each time you wake up to it. This won't always be the case. But while it is, cherish those new days. Cherish the chance of untold possibilities that each new day brings. And live it up.
Movie Stars
Movie stars are just people. Their job is to entertain and tell stories, and it's true that it comes with fame, even sometimes big paydays. They get publicly awarded for their work, and the masses clamor to hear what they have to say. And then they rip them apart for every word. The public give … Continue reading Movie Stars
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is an important structure that shines a bright light as a beacon of help to ships on rough waters in stormy weather. We all have some sort of a "lighthouse" in our own lives. It could be a solid, trusted friend, or our faith in a higher power, or even our own confidence. … Continue reading Lighthouse
Knowledge
Knowledge is power, but only when you use it. It's important to combine it with wisdom, in order to be able to use it best. Hoarding it for its own sake is foolish, as knowledge is most valuable when shared. It's a perfect aid for human relations. This is because knowledge is most effective when … Continue reading Knowledge
Joyful Living
Joyful living is a lifestyle choice. It's like physical fitness, you do it to have a better quality of life. It sustains you. But you have to keep at it, or else you'll fall out of shape, and much quicker than you would hope you would. So, much like physical fitness, you have to show … Continue reading Joyful Living
Imagination
One of our greatest gifts, perhaps our utmost greatest gift, is our incredible imagination. Your imagination is what helps you create everything for your world. It's what helps you do anything. You imagine it first, and then it makes logical sense to you. In fact, Einstein famously said, "Logic will get you from A to … Continue reading Imagination
Hold On
Hold on until the ride is over. Don't let go before it does. It may seem daunting, but it's a ride after all, so there will be ups and downs. All you have to do is hold on, the ride itself takes you through the adventure. The ride is call life. Your life is the … Continue reading Hold On
Generosity
Generosity can't be faked. If you're giving for the sake of appearing generous, then that's not exactly generous. That is transactional. It's fine, as long as this is understood by all parties. Generosity is given purely for the sake of expressing love and affection. It is more rare than you might think, but this also … Continue reading Generosity
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is so much more than some act of goodwill. Forgiveness is critical for your own well-being. If you hold onto resentments they'll eat away at you much more than they'll ever disturb the wrongdoer. Forgive to lighten your heart. You don't have to forget, but you should definitely drop the resentment, and move on.
Express
The word "express" has a few meanings. One being to communicate your thoughts. Another is to operate at high speed, like on an expressway. Both meanings define extremely relevant values for modern society. We need things to deliver at an express rate. And because we are so globally interconnected, it is imperative that we express … Continue reading Express
Destiny
The idea of destiny is pretty much a fantasy, unless you understand the nature of reality. And that is you see what you believe. So, destiny is what you've decided it is. And if you've decided it, then you're destined for it, whatever "it" is.
Confidence
Confidence is an extremely powerful value. That's why your confidence is always under attack. You can't be scared or influenced unless your confidence is weakened. And so, you're bombarded with all kinds of messaging, showing you how inadequate you are, how flawed, all so that you will willingly subscribe to certain groups or buy certain … Continue reading Confidence
Belong
The first gatekeeper you need to get past before you can belong, is your own self and your preconceived ideas about your worthiness. Really, the only gatekeeper you need to worry about getting past before you belong is yourself. Because once you believe in your own worth, you will go to the best place for … Continue reading Belong
Aspire
If you want to improve, you need to aspire to something greater than you currently are. Aspire to something grand. And then, and here's the important part, take action towards it. Keep actively moving towards it, and eventually you'll get there, or to something even better.
Yoga
Yoga can be great for helping with your flexibility. And that relates to your mind as well as your body. There's a quote that goes something like, Yoga isn't just about touching your toes, it's about what you learn on the way down to them. It's just a great way to integrate you mind and … Continue reading Yoga
Write
When you feel desperate or confused and you don't know what can help, write. When you're not sure exactly what to say, start writing. Writing will help you clarify your thoughts and come up with the right words. It's exercise for the part of your brain that communicates. Much like lifting weights will tone your … Continue reading Write
Volumes
Your life is so expansive that you have much more than just a few chapters in a single book to experience. You have volumes of books in a matching set, filled with chapter after chapter after chapter. And you can keep writing your story until you're done. Don't limit yourself to a tiny single novella, … Continue reading Volumes
Undo
Technically speaking, it's impossible to undo something because it's already been done. Time only moves forward. There isn't a rewind button for real life. The best you can do is to redo it. Or do it again, but better this time. So, in summary, what was already done is done. You can't undo it, but … Continue reading Undo