Health & wellbeing
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Out of balance
“Any sort of relationship where you don’t express yourself, simply to keep the peace, is a relationship ruled by one person. It will never be balanced or healthy.” ~Bronnie Ware, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying Reciprocity is a major part of healthy, balanced relationships. And in this case, we’re not talking about exchanging gifts or returning social invitations. Reciprocity is also a willingness to learn from others. Do you feel out of place or uncomfortable when you express your feelings or opinions around certain people? How often do you often find yourself “keeping the peace” at your own expense? ~CL
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Admiration
“Admire as much as you can. Most people don’t admire enough.” ~Vincent van Gogh I started this blog years ago under a different title, “Something Beautiful Every Day.” At the time, my mother was battling vascular dementia, and I was struggling to manage her care. As my mother’s personality changed, my own moods cycled between anxiety, grief, and exhaustion. The blog became an exercise in positivity. I couldn’t “fix” Mom’s illness or bring her back to her former self, but I could challenge myself to find beauty and hope in the simple pleasures within my reach. I just had to readjust my focus and my attitude. Today’s quote from a…
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Seek the life force
“There is a force within that gives you life. Seek that. Ignore those who make you fearful and sad.” ~Rumi Personal loss and challenges have lessons to teach us. We can’t rebuild what’s broken, mend our health, or recover from a crisis without believing that something better is entirely possible. It helps to have a support system — a cheering section — to support that belief. As the poet Rumi advises, people who make us fearful and sad won’t light the way. We must keep seeking “the force” that ignites our positive energy and brings us back to life. ~CL
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When it’s all too much
“If you feel too much, there’s still a place for you. If you feel too much, don’t go. If this world is too painful, stop and rest. It’s OK to stop and rest. If you need a break, it’s OK to say you need a break.” ~Jamie Tworkowski While I’m on a break, I invite you to explore the “Life Lines” site on your browser, which shows many additional features and articles that aren’t included in your email subscription. Meanwhile, I hope that you, too, will find ways to nourish your soul if you’re feeling “too much” and you need time off. ~CL UPDATE (2/25/25): Thank you for your encouraging…
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The art of disappointing others
“If you want to live an authentic, meaningful life, you need to master the art of disappointing and upsetting others, hurting feelings, and living with the reality that some people just won’t like you. It may not be easy, but it’s essential if you want your life to reflect your deepest desires, values, and needs.” ~Cheryl Richardson Have you ever attended an event you dreaded because you didn’t want to hurt someone’s feelings? Do you ever withhold your opinion — or agree with an opposing viewpoint — because you fear rejection or criticism? How many times do you say “Yes” out of obligation rather than enthusiasm? Do you always put…
