Personal growth
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Surf’s up
“While you are riding the wave, just put your best self out there and enjoy it.” ~Frieda Pinto A few people who know me well have told me that I “overthink” things. I suspect this is part of being a writer. Whatever the reason, focusing on what could possibly go wrong can be a tiresome habit in daily life. Even when there’s nothing to worry about, I wait for the other metaphorical shoe to drop. Psychologists call it “anticipatory anxiety.” Today’s quote is a wise reminder for over-thinkers like me. When life is going well, the best thing we can do is to ride the wave, soak up the sun,…
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The hero of your journey
“It is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life. Where you stumble, there lies your treasure.” ~Joseph Campbell Mythologist Joseph Campbell believed that everyone’s life is a “Hero’s Journey.” Along the way, we battle our own metaphorical dragons and monsters. We encounter life-changing challenges and obstacles. And while we rarely realize it until later, our darkest moments contain the most profound lessons. I recall the time I had both hips replaced within five months, in my forties, after a crippling battle with osteoarthritis. (That was back in the day when hip replacement surgery was more complicated than it is now.) My recovery required weeks…
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Take a breather
“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.” ~Etty Hillesum Are you the person who needs to be running 24/7 in order to feel valuable or relevant? Are you ever ashamed to admit you need a nap? Is your conversation typically peppered with references to how “busy” you are? Does silence make you uncomfortable? Rest is good for body and soul, and wonderful things happen when we allow ourselves to unwind. Our muscles recover, our stress levels drop. We’re more receptive to fresh ideas when we sit still, breathe deeply, and welcome the silence. When we’re relaxed, we’re also more…
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The dead-end road
“Self-pity is a dead-end road. You make the choice to drive down it. It’s up to you to decide to stay parked there or to turn around and drive out.” ~Cheryl Strayed, Tiny Beautiful Things At some point, we’ve all been thrown off course by sudden changes in plans, a head cold, bad weather, and other disappointments. Then again, we’ve also faced some major challenges and losses with considerable bravery — and moved forward with grace. The road of life isn’t always smooth for anyone. But today’s quote reminds us that every single one of us has a choice when encountering road blocks. We can feel sorry for ourselves and…
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Please help yourself
“I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, ‘Where’s the self-help section?’ She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.” ~ George Carlin I’m excited to introduce the Self-Help Book Club, a new fall program I’ve created for the Blair Memorial Library in Clawson. This unique series is designed to help lift our spirits and broaden our perspective while providing practical tools to help us manage the challenges of daily life. Each discussion will focus on the key takeaways of a pre-selected (and highly rated) self-help book. Enrollment in the Self-Help Book Club is limited to 12 attendees per meeting, and advance registration is required for each meeting. You’re…
