Photo stories
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The hero on your journey
“It is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life. Where you stumble, there lies your treasure.” ~Joseph Campbell Mythologist Joseph Campbell believed that everyone’s life is a “Hero’s Journey.” Along the way, there are metaphorical dragons to face. We each encounter life-changing challenges or setbacks (sometimes other people) that stand in our way. And while we rarely realize it until later, our biggest challenges and darkest moments contain the greatest lessons. For starters, there was the time I had both hips replaced within five months, in my forties, after a crippling battle with osteoarthritis. Though my surgical recovery took a while, I learned a…
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Whose approval do you need?
“I must work harder to achieve my goal of not seeking approval from those whose approval I’m not even sure is important to me.” ~Lauren Graham, American actress Being a people-pleaser is exhausting. When I was younger, I spent a lot of time trying to impress my parents, my teachers, the cool kids at school, and every authority figure I was told to “respect” without question. In retrospect, I wish I had some of that time back. These days, people go to incredible lengths to get attention from virtual strangers on social media. Sometimes I’m embarrassed for them. As today’s quote suggests, it’s worth asking ourselves why we’re “seeking approval”…
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We can’t know it all
“It’s high time you were shown that you don’t really know all there is to be known.” ~Dr. Seuss Does anybody really enjoy hanging out with a know-it-all? You know the type: He/she has an answer for everything and refuses to admit when he/she actually gets it wrong. Know-it-alls have already “been there and done that” — so you can’t show or tell them anything new. Know-it-all behavior is a just symptom of insecurity, so it’s wise not to take it personally. So here’s the good news for the day: When we’re willing to admit we couldn’t possibly know everything, we open ourselves to countless opportunities to learn and grow.…
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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. As today’s quote suggests, 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. ~CL Photo by Cindy…
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Who are you, really?
“You are what you are when nobody is looking.” ~Abigail Van Buren Today’s quote is all about authenticity — a common theme in many “Dear Abby” columns. It’s human nature to present our best image in public, but being truly authentic requires honest self-reflection and courage. That’s not so easy, especially today. Just for starters, consider all the edited selfies and photos of stage-managed lifestyles that constantly bombard us on social media platforms. Once in a while, it’s worth doing a reality check. Who are we when nobody’s looking? ~CL For more like this: Check out additional posts and new content on the Life Lines home page. Photo: Frederik Meijer…
