Health & wellbeing
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Moving in another direction
“Taking a step back to walk away from situations that threaten your peace of mind, values, morals, or self-worth, is almost always a healthy and necessary step forward.” ~Marc and Angel Chernoff Growing up, we were often lectured about the importance of “sticking with it” — even when we suspected it wasn’t right for us. Of course, there’s merit in staying the course and working through difficult times and rough patches, but sometimes it’s better to slow down and reassess what’s really going on, as today’s quote reminds us. We might decide that it’s wiser moving on to something else. Loyalty to anyone or anything isn’t a virtue if it’s seriously messing…
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More joy, please
“When we place our attention on joy, we become more joyful. The world seems more benevolent.” ~Martha Beck When I focus on the top stories in the news — an uncertain economic forecast, for starters — I catch myself feeling angry, fearful or depressed. But the worst part, really, is that I lose sight of the goodness in my life. You have to be receptive to moments of joy. And you have to be ready to catch it in unexpected places. While some people think joy can be bought, the brightest sparks of joy are often available free of charge. I find joy in spring gardens that are just waking…
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Hearts of stone?
“Whatever you want emotionally, you have to start giving away.” ~Mary Karr, memoirist According to Dr. Lindsay Jernigan, a clinical psychologist quoted on PsychCentral.com, the term “emotionally unavailable” refers to individuals who are “not comfortable feeling their own emotions, sharing emotions with others, or being present and responsive to someone else’s emotions.” Emotionally unavailable people don’t wear their hearts on their sleeves. We might describe them as prickly, distant, aloof, or unapproachable. And that doesn’t mean they’re unworthy of our affection — but they’re probably not the first ones we reach for when we need a dose of comfort. We all know a few folks who qualify as emotionally unavailable…
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The one and only you
“Everything in nature invites us constantly to be what we are.” ~Gretel Ehrlich, author Many of us spent our early years trying to conform to the norms or ideals dictated by our parents, peers, religion, and culture. On the other hand, some of us rebelled against them — sometimes for the sake of rebellion, or because we didn’t fit the “perfect” pattern someone else wanted us to follow. Beyond all of this conforming and rebelling is the beautiful, one-of-a-kind essence of who we really are. As today’s thought reminds us, our true nature “invites us” to make that discovery. I’ve learned throughout my life that if I want other folks…
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A compass for everyday living
“Leave the road, take the trails.” ~Pythagoras When I’m in a hurry to reach a specific destination, I don’t mind driving the expressway. But my favorite vacation memories usually involve exploring country back roads, where greener landscapes or small towns await discovery. Side streets and backstories — even those near our own hometown — are too easy to miss when we’re speeding down the interstate. Today’s quote also serves as a direction for everyday living. Wherever your journey takes you this weekend, why not take the scenic route? ~CL
