“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…
Why You Need to Create Your Own Definition for Success
“Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.” – Anne Sweeney Success. The elusive rainbow that we chase our whole lives. Every time we get close, it appears to fade into the distant horizon. After numerous futile attempts, we begin to wonder, will…
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…
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…
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…
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…
5 Differences between Being Busy and Being Productive
“It is not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?” – Henry David Thoreau According to research the average human lives 25,915 days (71 years). A huge chunk of that time is spent sleeping, or at work. When you look at your life from this perspective,…
How to Be Giving Without Sacrificing Your Needs
“Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others.” – Brené Brown Sharing is caring. Most of us heard this term repeatedly when we were kids. Your parents may have asked you to share your toys with a sibling or split your sandwich with a school…
4 Ways to Stay Motivated If You’re Not Seeing Immediate Results
“Brilliant results don’t just show up by chance. The finest things in life take patience, focus and sacrifice.” – Robin Sharma Chasing our goals can often feel like an uphill climb. Like a mountaineer you will be tested with challenges as you ascend to the peak. Much like mountaineering, the process of accomplishing our dreams…
