Personal growth
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Owning our mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes at work. Some professional errors, however, are more public than others. If you’re a journalist or published author, for instance, the mistakes you make on the job are public and remain in print forever. There were times when I made errors that were, luckily, caught by editors before they made it to print. But sometimes they weren’t caught — and I was humbled when my readers pointed them out. As sociologist Brene Brown notes, if you’re going to put yourself out there, expect to get your ass kicked. But if you don’t want your ass kicked in public, you’re better suited to working in a career where…
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Inner compass
“Pay close attention to your inner compass. If you stop steering by your own compass, you’ll hit a rumble strip. Don’t panic. Just question your assumptions and you’ll be back on the road in no time.” ~Martha Beck We humans are creatures of habit. We often follow the traditional routes mapped out by others — and find safety and comfort in doing so. Likewise, as kids, we’re taught to respect “authority” in all its guises, including our parents, school teachers, pastors, priests, and police officers. We assumed they were always right, always acting on our behalf — and we were reprimanded for doubting or disobeying them. I like to think…
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Get out of jail free
“Why do you stay in prison, when the door is so wide open?” ~Rumi, Sufi poet Sometimes we create our own obstacles. We might cling to old myths and family roles, or make assumptions that aren’t based on responsible research or fact. We might box ourselves into categories — while doing the same to others. As the Sufi poet Rumi reminds us, we have the power to move past the limits we’ve created or imagined. We can challenge the rules that no longer apply to us. We can escape the prisons of our own making. How often do you trick yourself into thinking you don’t have the ability to achieve…
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All your loves
“I am all the things I have ever loved.” ~Toni Morrison Each of us is a living collage of our passions, interests, and affections. The books we read, the films we favor, the clothing we choose, the art we make, the hobbies we enjoy, and the people we love — all of these tell the story of who we are. Take a moment to remember all the people and things you’ve ever loved, and how they’ve made you who you are today. ~CL
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Put yourself out there
“Imagine living life so carefully that there are no signs you lived at all.” ~Raven Leilani I once met a woman who arranged her life to avoid appearing “wrong.” She never displayed artwork or family photos on the white walls of her immaculate home. She dressed appropriately in a style that never made a statement. Polite and reserved, she rarely revealed an opinion or a passion. I was always on my guard around her. Life can be so much richer — and a lot more fun — when we are willing to take creative chances, make mistakes, and put ourselves out there. So, go ahead: write, paint, dance, sew, decorate,…
