We humans are a funny bunch of social creatures. We are not machines who can just change our emotions at will. And one of the things we crave almost as much, if not more so, than food is human connection.A hug or a hand on someone else's is the simplest yet most profound act of showing love and compassion. It can instantly transform our mental and emotional states. In just…
1. Consistency is key. Like exercise, it doesn’t matter if you used to be fit, you have to stay fit. On days when I am very busy or traveling, I will find times to fit in my meditation, even if I have to break it up through the day or wake up extra early.2. I find an hour in the morning sets me up for a great day, and an…
No one can bring out our best and worst selves quite like the people we're closest to. When approached mindfully, relationships can be incredible opportunities to grow in presence and as people. But when there is insecurity, doubt, jealousy, suspicion, or possessiveness in relationships, this can create a toxic, fertile soil for mindlessness and trouble to grow. Because most of us want to be in a relationship, we can cling…
Trust is essential to any relationship. So what do you do when someone breaks that trust? Why do people lie and how can we be loving and forgiving, while also protecting ourselves from being lied to again? This article takes an honest look at how we can build up trust again, not just in our relationships, but in our future as well. Forgiveness and trust, while protecting ourselves from dishonesty,…
One of the hardest times in anyone's life is when we lose someone who is still alive. Perhaps they cut us off, perhaps we cut them off, or perhaps it was mutual. But either way, the pain, regret, blame, and open wound of hope make this type of loss particularly difficult. There are countless books written about grief. When someone we love passes, friends and family offer their support. But…
Spirituality and success are not mutually exclusive endeavors. You don't have to give up all your possessions and move to a cave in India to meditate in solitude in order to find happiness. Steve Jobs showed us that you can be spiritual and successful. He showed us how spirituality can actually lead to greater success. And he shared how spirituality actually led to him being able to enjoy instead of…
Imagine a person standing with their arms stretched out to both sides. Someone is standing on each side of this person pulling their arms in opposite directions with all their might. This is how most of us live. We’re living in a constant battle between two opposing forces. It’s a state of constant stress — the tension from our mind almost being torn in half. On one side is what we crave,…
I am watching Peaky Blinders these days. I’m not usually one for such violence, but the family likes it and so it’s good bonding time.One line stuck out to me in particular. Uncle Charlie says to his nephew Tommy in regard to avoiding going crazy or committing suicide, “You have to move around or the guilt catches up with you... You have to keep moving or it all catches up…
Happy 4th of July to all who celebrate!Every year, I think about the inner freedom America’s Founding Fathers displayed when they envisioned a new form of government built on the ideals of liberty and equality. They first threw off the shackles of tyranny in their own minds so their creative spirit could imagine a better way forward. The conditions of political freedom were not prerequisites for their flourishing. In fact, it…
Yesterday I was so in the zone writing my next book, The Guidebook to Being Human, that I totally lost track of time and forgot to write the newsletter. But now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.Hope everyone is enjoying mango season. They’re extra sweet this time of year so be sure to get your fill. I sure did.This may surprise you, but peace and happiness is our natural state…
If this work has supported you, would you consider supporting this work?
Even the smallest bit can make a huge difference.
