“Study the past if you would define the future.” ― Confucius Sharing our stories has become a way to connect. For those who have also weathered storms, it creates a bond of solidarity. These stories are worn as a badge of honor for our survival. The media has significantly contributed to this, desensitizing us to estranged familial stories and torrid images of once-hidden events. Shame, which may at one time…
Read MoreNobody grows old by merely living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. ~Samuel Ullman Have you ever wondered why some people age at a seemingly slower rate than others while others seem to be on the express train to old age? When we think about age, we generally define it with our…
Read MoreWhen we awaken to the idea that everything that has happened in our lives adds color to who we are, it is when we can begin to let go of the emotional triggers that we have been holding on to. Learning to unlearn what was, leaving behind the hurts and the perceived injustices we have carried with us, is the beginning of that change. Emotional triggers are anything that makes…
Read MoreVibrations create the rhythm of our lives. We are guided by them daily. When someone enters a room, their vibe is the first thing we connect to. Whether we are drawn closer or repelled, we all sense something. It’s undeniable. It’s a gut feeling. Just because we don’t understand something doesn’t mean it isn’t true. For example, most of us haven’t grasped how electricity turns on or off with the…
Read MoreSuccess is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” ~ Winston S. Churchill The speech, known as The Man in the Arena made by Theodore Roosevelt in 1910, has resonated globally. And, through the power of his prophetic words, it has far overreached the audience in attendance. The evidenced appeal extends into commencement speeches, inspiration for sports teams, and rallies igniting a winning spirit.…
Read MoreChaos is merely order waiting to be deciphered ~Jose Saramago I haven’t done a jigsaw puzzle in years, but as I emptied the box of 1000 pieces on my table and looked at the heap of multi-colored and oddly shaped pieces, I realized how puzzles are easily a metaphor for life. Initially, it felt a bit daunting. Yet, as I methodically began to organize the pieces, it became clear how…
Read More“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” – Sophia Loren Discovering the beauty in our maturation is a step to self-love and acceptance. Acknowledging what prevents us from owning our years is essential to spiritual growth. The desire to…
Read More“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” — Leonardo da Vinci A picture is worth a thousand words, so what are our surroundings unconsciously saying about who we are and how it affects our lives? We are complicated and intricate beings. Environment affects us on deep levels, even if we are unaware of it. It is why set designers are imperative to telling a good story on film. We experience it…
Read MoreYou are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress simultaneously. ~ unknown Self-love and self-care are not the same. Getting a massage, taking a hot bath, or turning off the phone, are forms of self-care, which is a part of self-love. Self-love is prioritizing your needs and not sacrificing your well-being to please others. When we hold ourselves in high esteem, we are more likely…
Read More“Adversity, if used properly, will buy you a ticket to a place you couldn’t have gone otherwise” ~Author unknown Adversity is part of life. Some of us have more than others, yet we all experience it. How it comes into our lives is as diverse as the adversity itself. Finding ways to be resilient in the face of life’s challenges is a measure of who we are. Conflict and adversity…
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