“Trusting someone is my decision, then proving me right is their choice.” History and fictional narratives are littered with stories of betrayal. Julius Caesar was murdered by his supposed friends. Darth Vader from Star Wars assassinated the Emperor Palpatine. Former FBI agent Robert Hanssen sold CIA information to the Soviet Military intelligence agency. Judas, one…
How to Stop Worrying About Things That Don’t Really Matter
“You don’t have to care about everything around you. Some things are best to be left ignored.” Let’s face it – most of us are guilty of being worriers at some point, and it’s not something to be ashamed of. It’s just part of human nature. The same mental processes that have helped us advance…
How to Believe that You Are Good Enough
“Believing that you’re enough is what gives you the courage to be authentic.”- Brené Brown ‘Am I good enough?’ Four simple words, yet so full of emotion. In our competitive society, it isn’t surprising how often people doubt themselves. Throughout our lives, our abilities are sized up with different yardsticks: school grades, work appraisals, net…
5 Reasons Why Failing Does Not Make You a Failure
“Failure is not the opposite of success. It’s part of success.” “I feel like a failure!” We’ve all uttered those words at some point in our lives. The bigger and more unconventional your goals are, the higher the chances that you’ll feel like a failure. Safer choices are less risky because the paths that lead…
Why Freedom is Everyone’s Birthright
“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…
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…
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, proclivities, behaviors,…
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…
