Category: Wisdom

An idle mind is no one’s friend if you’re facing anxiety or self-sabotage. If you have moments in which your consciousness drifts toward turning on you, try instead to engage your mind with challenging tasks. Whether you enjoy puzzles, video or word games, or detective shows and books, find ways to keep your mind working so that it doesn’t have a chance to self-destruct. Of course you have to deal with the underlying causes, but keeping your brain positive and engaged can actually help you heal from destructive thoughts.

When life gives you a handful of lemons, always remember that what you do with them is up to you — and your choice might not be to make lemonade. You could grumpily sit by and watch them rot, or even lash out at others by throwing lemons at them (please don’t!). Or you could make the best of the sour fruit and whip up some delicious lemony treats or squeeze a little in your tea. Remember that with the right mindset, you can make the best out of the sourest situations.

You are the only person whose actions you can control. You are not responsible for how others treat you or react to you. Their actions and choices come from their own view of the world. Of course, this doesn’t mean you needn’t be kind. Of course you should. This does means that when people are unkind to you, it is not your fault or really about you to begin with.

Being starved of human touch can have a devastating effect on our souls. Even the most introverted and anti-touchy-feely of us need physical contact from time to time. Ever feel like you need a hug or else you might just ball your eyes out? This could be a sign of touch starvation. Connect with someone and have yourself a good cuddle or even a firm handshake. If people aren’t your thing, you might snuggle up to a pet. Having contact with other warm, living beings is a vital part of the human experience.

What is life without laughter? Pretty boring, that’s for sure. Laughing is one of the best innate medicines we can administer to ourselves, so laugh often and with others. Snort, giggle, and roll on the floor laughing out loud. Laughter keeps us sane, lifts our spirits, and makes difficult moments a little easier to handle.

What you see in the mirror is not an absolute representation of who you are. It’s easy to be a bit dismayed by the reflection of you judging yourself, but this is barely a sliver of your nature. The people who care about you get to see you as you sparkle talking about what you love or how brave you appear when you stand up for what you believe. You are more than the face in the mirror that stares judgingly back at you. You are incredible, admirable, and strong.

Never, ever apologize for your eccentricities. The people who matter don’t mind. Many of them adore your quirky, true self. On the other hand, those who have a problem with your oddities aren’t worth your apologies. Nothing of greatness or amazing was ever accomplished by being “normal.”

Procrastinating out of fear of ill-preparedness, while a comfort in the moment, may very well rob us of beautiful experiences. You’re ready. Live your best moments without hesitation.

It’s important to think about and plan for the future, certainly. Of course we want to keep our dreams and intentions in the front of our minds. We must be careful, however, not to obsess over what might happen and forget to live life as it is happening to us now. Live mindfully and passionately in each moment — it’s yours to own.

There are potentially a bunch of you in existence somewhere, all living similar but slightly different lives in various parallel universes. Wouldn’t it be great if you were choosing to live your best life in all of those realms right here and now, forging happiness despite life’s circumstances?

When the world becomes a cold place, it’s up to us to bring it warmth. Icy hearts can be thawed with the warmth of your kindness. It may take time and effort, but it is possible. Even the most frozen of hearts cannot often withstand the heat that radiates from goodness and love.

We cannot force other people to change, but we can create change within ourselves. We can work each day toward improving our human decency, kindness and tenderness towards the world. Perhaps changing ourselves for the better will inspire others to do the same. You never know the impact your actions will have on someone else.