Personal growth
-
What did you expect?
“Never expect anything less than you deserve. But never expect anything more than you are willing to give.” ~Jen Groover, entrepreneur After stumbling on this quote, I spent the rest of the day thinking about expectations and how they impact our lives. First, I considered the times I’ve eaten at trendy five-star restaurants, only to feel duped when my meals fell short of the rave reviews I’d heard or read. At the same time, I also recalled a few neighborhood diners that surprised me with delicious, creative entrees. Then I thought about past projects that flopped and people who’ve disappointed me. I thought about the times I settled for less…
-
How to save the world
“This is the way we save the world: one peaceful word, one act of compassion, one long sweet nap, one burst of laughter at a time.” ~Martha Beck, Finding Your Way in a Wild New World Watching the news makes me feel hopeless — and helpless. Mass shootings (almost daily). The war in Ukraine. The pandemic. Political ugliness (daily). I long for a new age of unity, peace, civility, and dignity — a tall order that’s seemingly impossible to fill these days. But each of us can take small steps toward healing — starting in our own homes and communities. We could perform a random act of kindness or two. And…
-
How will you spend today?
“Your problem is how you are going to spend this one odd and precious life you have been issued. Whether you’re going to spend it trying to look good and creating the illusion that you have power over people and circumstances, or whether you are going to taste it, enjoy it, and find out the truth about who you are.” ~Anne Lamott Lately I’ve read some interesting articles about the dubious trade-offs we make when we craft our personal brand on social media. Or when we spend hours scrolling Facebook or Instagram instead of making real plans to socialize in person. Psychologists and researchers are sounding a wake-up call: Social…
-
The paradox of giving
“We must give more in order to get more. It is the generous giving of ourselves that produces the generous harvest.” ~Orison Swett Marden Who doesn’t love to receive beautiful presents on birthdays and holidays? Gifts that were chosen with care are treasured and remembered for years. Regardless, the spirit of generosity isn’t necessarily tied to tangible gifts or money. Generous people extend themselves. They reach out to you, spend time with you, listen deeply, share what they’re thinking, celebrate your victories, and offer support or guidance when it’s needed. They give freely from the heart without expecting favors in return. Givers possess an abundance mindset, which is why they…
-
Living free
“To live without comparison is to remove a tremendous burden.” ~ J. Krishnamurti We’re all exposed to an infinite number of voices and trends on social media. With so many people vying for attention online, we might fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others, or trying too hard to impress them. When that happens, it’s time to step away from our devices and seek our better angels within. If we focus instead on appreciating our own lives, we’ll be less inclined to compete or compare. ~CL Photo by Cindy La Ferle
