Personal growth
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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…
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Your grass is green enough
“Get busy taking care of your own grass, and you won’t notice whether it’s greener elsewhere.” ~Karon Waddell Whenever I’m fully engaged in something I enjoy, I’m practically oblivious to what’s going on around me. Some psychologists refer to this state as being in the flow. Whatever it’s called, I’m happiest when I’m focusing on my own goals and projects — free of competitive impulses. Jealousy and envy sprout when we doubt our abilities and gifts. Or when we don’t exercise our potential for success. That’s when we look over our shoulders to see what others have achieved. That’s when we start comparing ourselves and feeling “less than” — even when…
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Every age you’ve ever been
There are days when I find it hard to believe that I’m as old as I am now. While my reflection in the mirror reveals the truth in lines and wrinkles, sometimes I feel like the carefree kid I was in high school and college. Sometimes I feel as vulnerable as I did when I was a small child. As today’s quote reminds us, we are all of the ages we’ve ever been. Our dreams and goals may have changed along the way, but everything we’ve experienced, at every stage in life, has made us who we are today. Imagine what you’d say if you had an opportunity to gather…
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Stop the insults
“Dismiss whatever insults your own soul.” ~Walt Whitman Today’s advice from Walt Whitman got me thinking about things that “insult my soul” and make me cringe. Topping my list are filthy bathrooms in restaurants, along with vulgar and obnoxious political leaders. There are dozens of other odious behaviors that some of us tolerate, even when they’re long past their expiration dates. Maybe we cling to habits that harm our health. Maybe we keep allowing certain people to disrespect us, or take us for granted. Maybe we keep ruminating on old emotional pain or anger. Maybe we keep settling for less because we’re not convinced that we deserve better. Years ago,…
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Breaking your silence
“Once you start to speak, people will yell at you….or put you down and suggest it’s personal. And the world won’t end. And the speaking will get easier and easier. And you will lose some friends and lovers, and realize you don’t miss them. And new ones will find you and cherish you. And at last you’ll know with surprising certainty that only one thing is more frightening than speaking your truth. And that is not speaking.” ~ Audre Lorde I thought of Audre Lorde’s words yesterday while editing another post about finding the courage to express our views — both personal and political. I thought about how difficult it has been, historically, for some people (especially women) to raise their…
