Author: systems

When the sunshine is hidden behind dark clouds, make your own light, whether that’s turning on a lamp, lighting a candle, or setting off a boxload of fireworks (where safe, legal, and away from pets, of course!). Electricity is off and the landlord doesn’t let you have candles? No problem. You may have figured out by now that we know there’s a light inside of you. Let yours shine.

What do you need? Sometimes you’re so busy caring (for people, pets, plants, etc.) that you forget to check in with yourself. You know it’s true. Don’t deny it. Here’s your reminder: do a check in. Figure out what you need — emotionally, physically, spiritually. Refuel. Restock. Then do what you need in terms of self-care. Take the time (even if it is after everyone else has gone to bed!) You’re worth it and you deserve it.

Methods for increasing happiness aren’t like a one-size-fits-all Snuggie. Different people have experienced different kinds of trauma. Physical, emotional, family, cultural, personal loss… those are just a few of many kinds of individual traumas that could leave a scar — and not the kind of scar that a little cocoa butter and some spit can fix. You CAN be happier. You CAN begin to heal. You ARE strong. Don’t compare your journey to another’s, though. You will go at your own time, in your own way, and be sure to try on a lot of Snuggies before you find that one (or ones!) that works for you.

You’re here reading this! Yay! So glad you’re on this Earth today, going about your business in the world. You didn’t give up. You didn’t back down. You didn’t stop trying to get through it. You deserve a medal. And a cookie. Because the world is fortunate just to have you around and wouldn’t be the same without you in it.

They say that all good things must end (who are “THEY”, anyway?). That’s true. Nothing lasts forever. Not in this life. But… that means nothing bad lasts forever, either. And let that be a comfort. No matter what you are going through right now, the one thing that pretty much does stay the same is that things will change.

Did you realize yet how special you are? How all your atoms and molecules stick together? How all that energy that makes up your body and consciousness keeps moving together as one? Sure, maybe your knees hurt some days or you’ve got a killer migraine. Maybe you wonder why it has to hurt so much when you stub your toe. But, that energy that makes up you and holds you together doesn’t just dissolve when times are tough or you quit believing in yourself. It’s because you are meant to be solid because you’re a miracle.

Expectations often bite you in the backside.. Seriously. Sure, there are moments that seem to live up to great expectations — unfolding perfectly. But, disappointment is one of those things that seem to go along with life. Then, you can get in a cycle of expecting to be disappointed and feel stuck. Adjust your mirrors, friend. Expect things to be gloriously imperfect, laugh at the little ironies along the way, and revel in the sheer beauty of imperfection! Now, that’s perfection.

Close your eyes. Well, not right now. You’re not done reading this yet. But, once you are, see yourself doing the thing you really want to do. Your big picture goal or intention. Keep that in the front of your mind, even after you open your eyes. Do what you need to do to move forward to it — with those same eyes wide open. Learn, sweat, grow, and cry on your way… but keep going, because that’s where the joy and purpose will wrap you up and keep you.

What’s mindfulness, anyway? Being mindful is like the first time you experience something. Soaking in the sights and sounds and smells at a chocolate factory, an amusement park, or a great historical museum. You know how that is, right? Wow! An experience! You could have that feeling every day just by allowing yourself to be fully present in each moment. You aren’t just an observer. You can delight in being part of the wonder that is in every day life.

You’ve dealt damage and you’ve been wrong. That’s pretty universal. Humans can’t simply walk through the world and not occasionally, even if accidentally or with good intentions, cause some injury here and there. Guilty emotions are a reminder to not repeat our mistakes, so they are useful for growth, but regret isn’t an emotion to permanently keep in the baggage you’re lugging around. Unpack it. Deal with it, and take steps to live to your potential. You’re going to make mistakes, goof up, let someone down, drop the ball, and misread situations, but a life that truly makes an impact is one where you challenge yourself to be just a bit better today than yesterday.

How often have you heard that these are uncertain times? Oh, probably a few. Right? But, Friend, do not be discouraged. There hasn’t been a generation in the history of human experience that wasn’t seen, at the time, as uncertain to the people living through it. In fact, there has never been such a thing as “certain times” in the known history of people. The never-ending uncertainty of the future is part of the process… to help you grow, change, evolve, spark your curiosity, and meet the days’ challenges head on with all the passion in your spirit.

Distractions. Frustrations. Irritations. Itches. You meet up with these things and they absolutely test your patience, right? That’s totally okay. These things exist and it is perfectly fine to recognize that. Avoiding every little stress is practically impossible, and some days — things will tick you off. That doesn’t make you less spiritual, Friend. It makes you human. Being mindful of the feelings you have and using that excess energy to resolve what is in your power to fix can also help you see what is out of your control… you know, the stuff to let go.