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’ve watched it a thousand times. Another day winding down as the sun sets. Each day, I embark on life with dreams, goals, and a list of TO-DOs. Yet, there is so much to do and too little time to do it. I use to think like this until I reached a breaking point. A point where I had to make changes and figure out why there was always so much
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
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
Is mindfulness contagious? Can someone share the present moment with a complete stranger whom they never saw or spoken to ever? Interesting questions. I am not an expert in mindfulness. Far from it. I’m merely a student that is willing to learn and eager to understand more. Last week, I looked across the street from my office window. I noticed a woman ice skating on the town’s seasonal ice skating rink. There was no one else on the rink, just her. She
One of my favorite activities is self improvement. I like to experiment. I constantly try to find better ways to perform tasks, explore new ideas, and discover something I’ve never known before. Whether it’s minimizing my belongings, embarking on a new challenge, or optimizing something as simple as a morning routine makes me feel like I’m improving my life and myself. Mindless Doing I frequently ask myself “Why am I doing this? What purpose does
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
Starting something new can be exciting and a bit intimidating. First, your mind run rampant with excitement. A small inkling of interest grows into a spark of inspiration. Then motivation sets in and you decide to take the plunge. You’re ready to take on the world and you begin your plan of attack to embark on your new journey. With your head swimming with ideas, all the “what-ifs” start to unfold. You question