Health & wellbeing
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Communication skills
“Lack of communication leaves fear and doubt.” ~Kellan Lutz Good communication can strengthen any connection. Staying in touch, sharing how we feel, and expressing interest in the lives of others can go a long way toward building solid relationships. I’m an over-communicator by nature and by trade. After college, I had jobs that required meetings and follow-up phone calls. Later, as a newspaper columnist, my career was all about talking to people in print. (Early in my marriage, an in-law told me I “talk too much.”) But after years of living among both chatterboxes and quiet people, I’m usually more comfortable with the chatterboxes. While some folks believe it’s safer…
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No comparison
“When you are content to be yourself and don’t compare or compete, everyone will respect you.” ~Lao Tzu Ours is a culture of competition. We have televised sports 24/7 — not to mention countless game shows, dancing and singing competitions, and cooking and baking contests. Whatever you like to do, there’s probably a trophy for it. There’s another team to conquer; another score to beat. To be your best, you gotta top somebody else. It’s all fun and games, of course — unless we take it too seriously. Comparing and competing can be toxic. If we’re constantly trying to outperform someone else, we might lose track of what makes each…
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How to get what you want
“Whatever you want emotionally, you have to start giving away.” ~Mary Karr In her best-selling memoir, The Liar’s Club, Mary Karr chronicles her troubled youth and descent into alcoholism. Published in 1995, the book’s raw emotional honesty and humor resonated with readers and topped the NYT bestseller list for a year. Now considered a classic, it’s often studied in memoir writing workshops. Karr’s quote issues a lifelong challenge: You must reach for what you want in your relationships; don’t wait for it all to come to you. If you’re looking for honesty and authenticity, be honest and authentic. If you want more love and attention, give more love and attention.…
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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…
