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How to save the world
“This is the way we save the world: one peaceful word, one act of compassion, one long sweet nap, one burst of laughter at a time.” ~Martha Beck, Finding Your Way in a Wild New World Watching the news makes me feel hopeless — and helpless. Mass shootings (almost daily). The war in Ukraine. The pandemic. Political ugliness (daily). I long for a new age of unity, peace, civility, and dignity — a tall order that’s seemingly impossible to fulfill these days. Martha Beck reminds us that we can take small steps toward healing, starting in our own homes and communities. We could perform a random act of kindness or two.…
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How will you spend today?
“Your problem is how you are going to spend this one odd and precious life you have been issued. Whether you’re going to spend it trying to look good and creating the illusion that you have power over people and circumstances, or whether you are going to taste it, enjoy it, and find out the truth about who you are.” ~Anne Lamott Lately I’ve read some interesting articles about the dubious trade-offs we make when we craft our personal brand on social media. Or when we spend hours scrolling Facebook or Instagram instead of making real plans to socialize in person. Psychologists and researchers are sounding a wake-up call: Social…
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Someone else’s shoes
“We are sun and moon, dear friend; we are sea and land. It is not our purpose to become each other. It is to recognize each other, to learn to see the other and honor him for what he is: each the other’s opposite and complement.” ~Hermann Hesse, Narcissus and Goldmund In our culture, we talk a lot about the importance of honoring our differences and celebrating our uniqueness. We want others to accept or appreciate our flaws and quirks — as well as our opposing points of view. We want the freedom to worship as we choose, the freedom to express ourselves, and the freedom to simply “be” ourselves. But…
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The power of “No”
“If you find that the demands on your time are overwhelming, don’t be afraid to politely say ‘no’ when someone asks you to do or attend something. It’s better to say ‘no’ early on instead of ‘maybe’ or ‘we’ll see.’ You’ll appreciate the freedom of protecting your schedule and prioritizing your commitments.” ~Dr. Andrew Weil No is a powerful word — and sometimes we have to muster the courage to use it. Too often, we’re afraid of losing approval if we deny a request or turn down an offer. People-pleasers, especially, feel twice as guilty when they say no, and typically follow their negative response with an elaborate explanation. But…
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Embracing the void
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Never settle for boring
“If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.” ~Jim Rohn Even when I was a much younger woman with a fragile ego, I wasn’t impressed by the stuff my peers wanted to wear. In those days, designer logos, status scarves, and “it” handbags were just starting to gain popularity. (Remember The Official Preppy Handbook?) To me, they seemed boring and unoriginal, and rarely worth their extravagant price tags. I still wonder why anyone would want to be an unpaid, walking advertisement for someone else’s product. And why would anybody want to dress like someone else, unless a uniform is mandatory for…
