“Life without liberty is like a body without spirit.” – Khalil Gibran The word ‘freedom’ has been a mainstay in our zeitgeist. As our species has evolved, so has its meaning and significance to us. It’s worn many different faces throughout history. Writer Vasily Grossman highlights this in his book, Forever Flowering. He writes, “the…
Archives for 2018
4 Planning Strategies to Succeed in the New Year
“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin With the Holidays just around the corner, there’s a palpable buzz in the air. Whether you’re organizing lively parties or intimate dinners with family and friends, everyone is discussing their plans for festivities with excitement. Clearly, everyone wants to ride the wave…
The Importance of Maintaining Your Individuality in Relationships
“Individuality is very important for a full human life.” – Dalai Lama “You complete me.” Who doesn’t love this seminal line from Tom Cruise’s character in the movie Jerry McGuire? It melts the heart of any romantic and makes them long for a love like that. A union with their ‘missing piece’ – someone who…
Why the Truth Will Always Set You Free
“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” – Oscar Wilde “I’m afraid that is the reality of the situation, Seline.” My counselor looked at me with consoling eyes after our lengthy discussion about my complicated family dynamics and how they could impact my future. I looked out the window for a brief respite, trying…
How to Stay Hopeful When You’re Disheartened by the News
“Carve a tunnel of hope through a dark mountain of disappointment”. ― Martin Luther King Jr. The sun is shining bright. The birds are singing. You feel top of your game as you prepare for the day ahead. You’re full of hope and positive expectations. Until you turn on the news. You freeze as you…
The Subtle Art of Healthy Detachment
“Remain in the world, act in the world, do whatsoever is needful, and yet remain transcendental, aloof, detached, a lotus flower in the pond.” ― Osho, The Secret of Secrets “The root of all suffering is attachment.” – The Second Noble Truth of Buddhism. To understand the real meaning behind this truth, try to recall…
4 Essential Things to Consider When Creating a Life Plan
“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” – John Lennon The concept of a ‘life plan’ is an oxymoron to most people. After all, life by nature is not predictable – it seldom goes precisely according to plan. I’ve seen this truth play out in my own life. When I…
5 Things You Should Not Compromise On
“Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got” – Janis Joplin The success of any relationship is incumbent on the involved parties’ ability to compromise. When two or more entities that are as unique as snowflakes join forces, there is a blend of disparate energies. While there will be some overlap in perspectives, there will…
Why the Grass is Not Always Greener on the Other Side
“You may think the grass is greener on the other side but if you take the time to water your own grass it would be just as green.” – Unknown On April 29, 2011, an estimated 200 million spectators tuned in to watch the Royal Wedding. After so much hype and publicity, the day had…
How to be a Balanced and Respectful Feminist
“In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders.” – Sheryl Sandberg The term ‘feminism’ has become a loaded word. Over the years, all the political, economic, and social movements that have stemmed from it, have given the term a lot of baggage. Consequently, many people, including women, have developed…