Personal growth
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Your side of the fence
“So often we seek more fertile ground — that greener space on the other side of the fence. Where we fail to thrive and where we falter in our appreciation of the everyday is in this urge to be ‘there’ and not ‘here.'” ~Patti Digh, Your Daily Rock Isn’t it painful to imagine there’s always something better going on somewhere else? It can feel like being in junior high again — wondering if there’s a party you haven’t been invited to. Even as adults, we spend too much time looking at what other people have instead of appreciating our own unique place in the world. We can do better. And…
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“Goodbye to You”
“When I loved myself enough, I began leaving whatever wasn’t healthy. That meant people, jobs, my own beliefs and bad habits — anything that kept me small. My judgment called it disloyal. Now I see it as self-loving.” ~Kim McMillen Last week I wrote about meeting the Dry January challenge. That post hit home with a lot of readers. Some of you emailed to tell me about the habits you’re breaking (sugar was a big one) and other health changes you’re making. One reader hinted that there are other habits in her life — aside from food and drink — that “need to be cleaned up.” Today’s quote speaks to…
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Luminosity
“Look carefully around you and recognize the luminosity of souls. Sit beside those who draw you to that.” ~Rumi Other people’s moods and opinions are contagious. In fact, there’s a clinical study suggesting that we become like the five people with whom we spend most of our time. (Have you ever noticed how so many married couples and best friends actually resemble each other?) According to this theory, if your spouse, peer group, and coworkers are serial pessimists and complainers, you might be one too. Psychological studies aside, I’m drawn to folks who spread their sunshine and beam me out of the shadows when I’m down. The world is dark…
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Embrace your age
“Every year brings you closer to expressing your whole and healed self. I celebrate that. Honor it. Hold it in reverence. And I’m grateful for every age I’m blessed to become.” ~Oprah Winfrey The key phrase in today’s quote is “your whole and healed self.” In one way or another, all of us suffer deep emotional wounds throughout our lives. Nobody escapes this world unscratched. But as Oprah reminds us, one of the gifts of growing older is finding our own path to healing and self-actualization. If you’re interested in exploring similar aging topics, I welcome you to join “Aging with Grace & Courage” — a monthly journaling and discussion…
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Good or bad luck?
“Victory awaits him who has everything in order — luck, people call it. Defeat is certain for him who has neglected to take the necessary precautions in time; this is called bad luck.” ~Roald Amundsen Today’s quote is a handy piece of advice from the famed Norwegian polar explorer who led the first expedition to the South Pole in 1911. Amundsen understood that success isn’t a whim of fate or chance. There’s really no such thing as “good luck” or “bad luck,” after all. If we look ahead, anticipate the pros and cons, devise a plan, and map out our own course, we’re more likely to reach our goal or…
