“Every relationship is fundamentally a power struggle, and the individual in power is whoever likes the other person less” -Chuck Klosterman There is a power dynamic in every relationship. Whether we like to admit or not, that underlying dynamic dictates who has the power and who doesn’t. We can romanticize relationships however we want, but…
When Good is Good Enough
“Who hurt you?” “My own expectations.” Visiting the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City was one of the highlights of my trip to Italy. On a blisteringly hot day in July, with the streets bustling with tourists, it was a welcome refuge. Upon entering the Chapel, I was transported to another dimension. The high vibrational energy…
Diversity is Beautiful. Here’s Why.
“Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.” – Stephen Covey When we talk about diversity, we often think of a melting pot – a society where different types of people blend together as one. We see this in countries like the United States where multiculturalism has become the norm. People of different races and ethnic…
5 Simple Ways to Declutter Your Mind
“Empty your mind, stop thinking about anything, simply be.” – Paulo Coelho Like most people in modern society, you probably get overwhelmed regularly. Your brain gets overloaded because there’s so much happening around you. If you find yourself unable to think clearly and make decisions easily, there’s a strong chance you’re dealing with a serious…
How to Tell Your Ego from Your Higher Self
“Never allow your ego to diminish your ability to listen.” ― Gary Hopkins At any time of day, we may find our minds filled with incessant chatter. If we’re not conscious of it, we can get overwhelmed with worries, judgments, and rants. Buddha described these aspects of our thoughts as the “monkey mind” because they…
Why Love is Never Wasted
“Love is never wasted, for its value does not rest upon reciprocity.” — C.S. Lewis Great love involves great risk. To love anyone, whether that be a romantic partner, family member, a friend, or even a project, cause, or object, calls for us to be vulnerable and willing to open our hearts. That’s why real…
The Four Aspects of Aging
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.” – George Bernard Shaw “Age is just a number,” is a catchphrase that’s so popular, it’s become almost a cliché. Our culture is youth obsessed, and hundreds of books with similar titles flood the self-help bookshelves. Our society celebrates youth…
The Keys to Handling Criticism Well
Accept both compliments and criticism. It takes both sun and rain for a flower to grow. I admit that I don’t take criticism well. It’s not something that comes naturally, and I have to be conscious of the signs that I’ve been triggered: a racing mind and a faster heartbeat. I was raised by a…
5 Ways to Overcome Feeling Isolated and Alone
“Loneliness is not lack of company, loneliness is lack of purpose.” – Guillermo Maldonado At one time or another, everyone has felt lonely. You may have moved schools or workplaces, and struggled to make friends, or broken up with a partner and lost the friends you shared. You may even have an extensive social network,…
How to Change Your Attitude When You Can’t Change Anything Else
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” – Maya Angelou A simple shift in our attitude can change how we experience life. The way we decide to respond to our circumstances determines how much satisfaction it brings. But what if the reality we face is exceptionally hard…
