“The person you will be in five years depends largely on the information you feed your mind today. Be picky about the books you read, the people you spend time with and the conversations you engage in.” – Ruben Chavez [slightly long post alert] The number five seems to be popping up a bit for…
Category: Live Better
Thirty-One
“We’ve been infected with the idea that love is an emotion only felt between two people. But love is universal. An energy. A contagious force. A gift. To offer money to a homeless person is to love. To save a worm from the sun is love. To smile at a stranger is love. To be…
This and that
“It is the small joys and little pleasures that the greatest of our days are built.” – Mary Anne Radmacher Day thirty actually had a number of small joys – something I don’t always say about a Monday. But today was kinda fun for a myriad of simple reasons. Anyway, just a very nice day….
Shared joy
“A dog wags his tail with his heart.” – Martin Buxbaum Day twenty-five‘s surprising delight happened on our way home from the park. The top was down and Finn was in his car seat (looking into every car window we passed) as we pulled up next to an SUV at a stoplight. When we came…
Of gardens and gratitude
I noticed this evening that the days are definitely getting markedly shorter and it made me just the tiniest bit anxious. The loss of daylight can sometimes contribute to seasonal blues and I’m really not ready for it. So I thought I would share tip (abbreviated – click on the link for full text) from…
A good crappy day
“People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you. Be honest and frank…
Surprise
“For the next 31 days, allow yourself to be surprised by joy. Find one tiny thing that catches you by surprise in its delightfulness or its beauty.” – Field Guide to Everyday Magic Today when I stumbled across this book during some fall cleaning, I flipped through and paused at this prompt. I went for…
Naturally
“Pay attention to the things you are naturally drawn to. They are often connected to your path, passion, and purpose in life. Have the courage to follow them.” – Ruben Chavez I am naturally drawn to hearts… …art… …nature… …hearts and nature… …and words of wisdom and love. Don’t know what that says about my…
Wednesday Wisdom
“Find out what makes you kinder, what opens you up and brings out the most loving, generous, unafraid version of you, and go after those things as if nothing else matters. Because actually, nothing else does.” – George Saunders Walks in the park are highly encouraged during this quest.
Six little stories with lots of meaning
Once, a group of villagers decided to pray for rain. On the day of prayer, all the people gathered, but only one boy came with an umbrella. That is faith. When you toss babies in the air, they laugh because they know you will catch them. That is trust. 3. Every night we go to…
The Strangest Gift
“The kindest people aren’t born that way, they are made. They are the souls that have experienced much at the hands of life, they are the ones who have dug themselves out of the dark, who have fought to turn every loss into a lesson. The kindest people do not just exist – they choose…
A Wish for the Week Ahead
“May you remember to stay calm in the face of adversity, or at least freak out somewhat gracefully. May you stay hydrated, graceful and kind. May you remember to put yourself somewhere up near the top of your never-ending To-Do list, and may that To-Do list include good coffee and laughter, because you have to…
Lightly, child
“It’s dark because you are trying too hard. Lightly, child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. “Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply. Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them. “I was so preposterously serious in those days…Lightly, lightly — it’s the best advice ever given me…to throw away your baggage…
Different
Look how much more interesting this whole group becomes when just one bloom decides to do its own thing. She doesn’t ruin the collective by letting her colors fly. She doesn’t even diminish the beauty of the other blooms. Somehow through her own uniqueness, she makes everyone around her more unique. I took this image…
Dream
Please remember: Your job is the dream of the unemployed. Your house is the dream of the homeless. Your smile is the dream of the depressed. Your health is the dream of those who are sick. Beautiful things happen when you distance yourself from negativity. Find something to be grateful for. I saw that reminder…
Great, Glorious Pieces of Good
“I make a point to appreciate all the little things in my life. I go out and smell the air after a good, hard rain. I re-read passages from my favorite books. I hold the little treasures that somebody special gave me. These small actions help remind me that there are so many great, glorious…
Just a thought
“The thing is, we don’t know what’s waiting for us tomorrow. All we have and all we know is right now. “So please, don’t waste your energy on staying angry, or thinking you are not worth it or living in the past or the future… “Love yourself, your friends, and your family with all of…
Big L
“Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody’s business. What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy.” – Thomas Merton What I have…
Look at you
Just think about it. There is no one else who is the same as you in the world. There is no one who has the same personality, the same tastes, the same smile, the same soul, the same memories, the same loving character, or the same journey. You are so unique and so special. You’ve…
Extraordinary
“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” – Brené Brown Otherwise known as a walk in the park.
Impact
“Your impact on other people is bigger than you think. Someone still giggles when they think of that funny thing you said. Someone still smiles when they think of the compliment you gave them. Someone silently admires you. The advice you give has made a difference for people. The support and love you’ve offered others…
Believe
“Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe I spotted this little sign peeking out at the bottom of an office window during a walk downtown. Even with the random Christmas lights, I thought it was worth sharing.
Good Choice
“Every day you have an important choice to make. Whether to cherish or to waste the most valuable blessing that you have — time. Today you have the choice to spend it wisely, appreciating every moment of your life, loving the people that love you, focusing on all the good that you have. Find what…
Such a Difference
“Your impact on other people is bigger than you think. Someone still giggles when they think of that funny thing you said. Someone still smiles when they think of the compliment you gave them. Someone silently admires you. The advice you give has made a difference for people. The support and love you’ve offered others…
hey there, friends 