Once again, it’s May in Maine. The snow is nowhere in sight, the days are getting longer, and the weather is warming. It’s a great feeling as green leaves and grass make their annual appearance. Consequently, this means the chore of mowing the lawn is part of my weekly ritual until late October. A grueling two and a half hour process of pushing the lawnmower around, while the afternoon sun beams
What is health? Is it well-defined muscles? An athlete? How about a vegetarian or vegan? The idea of healthy living goes beyond the notion of eating right and exercising regularly. It’s not only about the physical self, it also includes mental and spiritual well-being. Being healthy is a lot of work. It requires daily practice and mindful thinking. Additionally, achieving a healthy lifestyle means discovering what works best through trial and error.
In my forever quest to improve and understand myself at the deepest level, I’ve been contemplating why I think and do the things I do. At a high level, there are patterns to my reactions, decisions, and behaviors. Some would say this makes me predictable. Although, it seems we are all a little predictable. In truth, we live according to a set of codes and guidelines that are our core beliefs
I’d like to think that most people have heard the expression “Everything in Moderation”, or some similar variation. Interestingly enough, the original saying “Moderation in all things” was said by the Roman Comic Dramatist Publius Terentius Afer in the second century BC. Humanity has been saying it ever since in one way, shape, or form. Yet, what does it really mean? Officially, it is the avoidance of excess or extremes, especially in one’s behavior. That
I approach everything using logic, reason, and an open-mind. Unfortunately, there is one weakness to this approach. It leaves emotions and feelings as secondary concerns. Life requires tough choices, and I believe that emotions and feelings can cloud one’s judgement when making rational and effective decisions. However, there are some things in life that simply won’t abide by logic and reason. One being romantic relationships. However, I’ve been attempting to use a logical approach to understand happy and successful
Minimalism is consciously choosing to live with less so one may pursue a more meaningful life. However, an area often overlooked is our virtual life. A life filled with distractions from apps, emails, social media, and notifications. One’s vision of a minimal life does not necessarily mean it’s perfect for someone else. However at any level, reducing any physical, mental, or virtual burden means more freedom and time to do something new or enjoyable. This
A new year, a time for renewal and change. Many people make New Year Resolutions, a promise to change a habit, to self-improvement. However, I prefer self-reflection. I believe it’s important to routinely take a moment and review personal milestones and core values. By definition, self-reflection is the act of examining introspectively. The willingness to learn more about how one behaves, their purpose in life, and essence. This isn’t easy to do. It took me awhile to wrap my head
Have you ever heard the expression “You need to stop and smell the roses“? I’ve heard it many times, and each time I dismiss it as a cliche. However, its real meaning is simply a reminder to slow down, enjoy life, and be in the present. As simple as it sounds, I found it difficult to grasp. After some thought, I narrowed my thinking and asked myself a question. What do I consider one of Life’s
I believe in minimalism. Yet I have family, friends, possessions, a house, a car, and other modern conveniences of life. This doesn’t make a lot of sense to some people. Everyone knows that minimalist own a few meager possessions, wear all white clothes, live in seclusion, and roam the world. Right? Not necessarily. Although some minimalists choose that lifestyle, the definition of minimalism varies from person to person. To me, minimalism is returning to more simple living that leans