Month: March 2022 (Page 2 of 3)

One of the main reasons why I started this blog was because of Seth Godin. A wonderful author, speaker and intellect who is able to articulate complex issues incredibly well. I’ve been a fan of his writings for some time and he inspired me to start writing my blog more than a year ago.

He poses a great question that resonated with me that said: “How should we celebrate your day?” Another words, what do you represent and how do you want to be remembered? Are there quotes that are tied to your past and how you lived your life? What do those quotes say? What have you been working towards?

No doubt, we all want to be remembered for great things. In addition, to leaving behind gems of wisdom that inspire future generations to continue on their journey towards greatness as well. If everyone took pride in their own legacy, could you imagine how high we could go?

Just as highly processed food is some of the most unhealthy substances to put into our body, consider the other ways in which highly processed material we’re exposed to throughout the day effects us. Whether that’s on social media, the news, television shows or the company we keep, maybe we should ask ourselves: Is this healthy for me? Nutritious? Am I becoming stronger by exposing myself to these – people/images/media/environment/situation/”friends”/work environment/substance? Or more dysfunctional? Weaker? Dependent?

Once again, when we can find the most enriching experiences in the simplest of activities: an authentic conversation with someone you trust. A long walk in nature – leaving the air pods behind. Quiet time with an engaging book or even meditation. Maybe it’s a date with yourself as you go window shopping or a trip to the art supply store. Or perhaps journaling about where you are right now and where you would like to be in 5 years.

We can choose to go through our lives doing what is convenient or we can choose a life more enriching, fuller, more deeply connected, fulfilling and ultimately a life well-lived by an understanding of what we’re exposing ourselves to in a day. You don’t have to go far to find a store on a corner that sells highly-processed artificially flavored snacks for your convenience. The question remains: Is that what we want for ourselves?

As we navigate ourselves through the day with TV, social media and the internet, we are bombarded with “news” and “stories” we are to assume are relevant and important to our well-being and in order to remain current on the events around us. However, not much of that is true.

The reality is it has become more of a challenge to remain focused on our intentions, connecting with others and not getting caught up in the narcissistic perspective that comes with today’s screen time content.

And so the work continues . . . to daily face the fears of our own worth, self-esteem and moral compass – these are the choices that can be easily ignored to justify our need to “fill” ourselves with unfulfilling content as we view away minute by minute, hour by hour and days away only find ourselves craving more.

Instead let’s stop the cycle and get back to our centers. Let’s Love ourselves as we are in this moment. Let’s connect with others by listening and not spouting our expertise. Let’s allow ourselves to be wrong. To be a novice. To earn the respect of others. Let’s empathize. Let’s do more listening. Let’s come from a place of Love.

Whether it comes to our work, our relationships or our health, avoidance is not a solution.

I know of too many people that have passed on from this earth because they let their health issues go unchecked only to find there was no turning back time. Unfortunately, they didn’t want to address their fate at the moment. Some even knowingly disregarding signs that something was wrong.

Any problem can be a challenge to face, this I understand, but the alternative is only worse. In addition, once we begin by squaring up our shoulders to the difficulties in front of us, we begin to transcend our fears and feel the gentle pull/push of momentum.

Our imagination has the ability to create incredible fears to keep us from taking the proper action, however, we must remember those are just illusions that contribute to our avoidance and not any sort of resolution.

Today must be a day of celebration. Why? Because it’s upon us.

There are difficulties in today’s world, no doubt. There is pain and there is suffering. But, in recognizing the life we have before us and our place within in it, we ignite the flames of gratitude and all it has to offer.

Seeing the world through the eyes of gratitude can bring glorious people, opportunities and ideas to mind, which in turn, can be invested back into ourselves and eventually to the communities around us.

We tend to give more and see our day as an opportunity to serve, contribute and connect with others.

Yes indeed. Today is the day.