I like unicorns as much as the next person. But if you're asking if I've ever seen one . . . well, let's just say I always like to leave room for magic in my life. The same goes for happiness. Despite the many shapes, sizes or containers people claim it comes in, it's not a tangible object you can hold, no matter how hard you try. We all face so much pressure over this expectation to be happy, all day, every day. It's a goal we're taught to have, a finish line to cross, a meaningful … [Read more...]

The hardest thing about when you feel like quitting but you also don't want to fail is not whether you should quit or keep going. The hardest thing is to know the difference between quitting and failing. The media has us fall for all kinds of romantic notions like the relentless warrior, the 24/7 hustle, of winning at all costs, and of course, the crowd favorite, never! quit! Cue a multitude of cliches scattered on a bed of English roses, bathing in moonlight while the curtains waft in … [Read more...]

There may come a time when your life is full of questions. Why now? Why this? Why me? Why NOT me? These questions come in times of struggle, of frustration, of life taking (taunting?) you in directions you don't want to go. You might get emotional, and it's hard to think straight when you do. The words "grit", "resilience" and "persistence" might leap out of whatever you're reading or watching in your uneasiness. In response, you might find yourself gritting your teeth, … [Read more...]

The road to saying yes to something in your life can be a long one. But once you do, it's showtime. Making a change—starting a new journey, project, business, heck; starting over, in any part of life—requires us to do things we don't always want to do, because they don't feel routine, familiar or natural. Learning to make the unnatural feel natural takes a great deal of practice. What feels more natural to you, sitting on the couch or running five miles? It's natural for us to do … [Read more...]

In our quest to get what we want, pursuing more isn't the only path. We want that, but we don't want to give up this. We want things to change, but we don't want them to be different. We ask how, but come up with reasons how we can't. These are the paradoxes we struggle with at the edge, before taking the first step (and demanding we know them all), feeling overwhelmed in the face of our fear. This is when the cliche comes to mind - caught between a rock and a hard place. You … [Read more...]

It's hard to explore anything these days that's not popular, not part of a top 10, a viral phenomenon. The tidal wave that is the mainstream is more powerful than ever before, and swimming against the current is rarely encouraged, or only superficially. Unless of course, you defy and exceed all expectations, and become popular, a top 10, a viral phenomenon. Not all that's popular is worth its acclaim, however (I'm looking at you, reality shows.) But it's becoming increasingly difficult … [Read more...]

  We often fall into the trap of dealing with a problem by going around it in circles. We start with an anxious mindset. Then we churn out one doomsday scenario after another. We let our best villain voice take lead in our head; condescending, mocking, and with a British accent. Next, in a valiant effort to "solve" our problem, we muster up a couple of possible solutions, immediately followed by reasons they will surely fail. Round and round we go, coming full circle to … [Read more...]

The idea of change can feel intimidating, overwhelming, heartbreaking, like a breath of fresh air, eye-opening, heart-glowing, soul-shaking. Sometimes, all of it at once. In recent years, I've grappled with a lot of change. Some big, some small, and in the inner landscape of mind and soul, almost all of it scary. I can't decide which is more terrifying; when things happen to me, or when it's up to me to make them happen. But I have come to realize is that energy is better suited not … [Read more...]

In a few short weeks, the needle of hope will turn to its annual high, the world collectively ushering in a new year, and with it - hopefully - new dreams that turn to reality. At the same time, aside from a few dissenters (aren't there always?), there will also be those that move nonchalantly through the days, unimpressed by the turning of the clocks. They know that the clocks have been turning forever and one grand celebration isn't going to change things one way or the other. You can … [Read more...]