Often times, I could benefit from a shift in my perspective or how I’m currently viewing my place in the world in order to flip the view of my glass from half empty to half full.

I would say that comes from the template we choose to hold up next to our current life.

Even though we don’t benefit from it, we will compare ourselves with the uber-elite – the filthy rich, the extremely successful and the top 10% of the world. Why?

Out of 195 countries in the world, we were born and live in the richest one. Not only that, we – although by no means perfect – live in a democratic country where we’re free to criticize our government without being thrown in prison. We can vote. We have many natural resources we can utilize to have a thriving economy, etc.

Another words, how can we ever think that what we have in comparison to 90% of the rest of the world is less than.

We don’t. I just think we forget sometimes. That’s okay.

We just need a little gratitude calibration. There. That’s better.

Some times – even most of the time – making a better cabinet/chicken sandwich/violin – product is more than enough to keep you busy for a lifetime.

By keeping our focus simple.

I heard a statistic that blew my mind the other day and it went like this: If you practice 18 minutes a day at your craft it will add up to more than 100 hours over the course of a year.

At that point, you will be better at that skill than 90% of the people in the world. Hard to believe.

Whether it’s true or not, it shows us the power of discipline, commitment and how powerful the compound effect really is.

Daily for 18 minutes a day. Can’t we all find that kind of time to pursue what’s important to us?

There have been numerous times when I read something or hear someone of stature make a declaration that resonates with me deep down and although I thought of it as a truth, didn’t have the confidence in myself to believe it.

Sam Harris, said something along the lines of (I’m paraphrasing) “we continue to see others as competition and either have to feel inferior or superior to them. Either way, it doesn’t serve us well.”

I would agree with that, but somehow I needed to hear him say it in order for me to solidify it as a belief in my own mind.

Here’s to owning and remaining steadfast in our convictions. Rare as they may be in the world, a deeply held truth steeped in Love has the power to change others.

Especially in this country, many of us seem to take the stance that more is better. But is it?

More money, more food, more options, more square feet in our homes, more material things, more activities in our schedule, more events to attend, more coffee, more followers, more likes, and on and on.

With more distractions than ever due to advances in technology, social media and so many entities vying for our attention at every moment in the day, we can find ourselves exhausted, spinning our wheels and confused about which direction to go.

What we really need to do is to remove clutter/events/distractions and simplify our lives. With simplicity comes clarity and with clarity comes power.