“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 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…
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…
The Importance of Honesty and Integrity
“Wisdom is knowing the right path to take…integrity is taking it.” It was a sunny, spring morning in Kyoto. The Cherry Blossoms were in full bloom, spreading their sweet fragrance across the green landscapes of the Japanese archipelago. The Nijō Imperial Palace looked postcard-perfect in this idyllic setting. I took a minute or two…
How Being Childlike Makes Growing Up Easier
Recently, I had the pleasure of watching Disney’s Christopher Robin. It’s a moving film that tells the story of a middle-aged man who reunites with his childhood friend, Winnie the Pooh and all his companions from The Hundred Acre Woods. His friends help him rekindle his enthusiasm for life and remind him what’s most important….
Why Complaining Blocks Your Abundance
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” – Maya Angelou Let’s face it – things won’t always go our way. Unless you’re as tranquil as a Zen monk, you’ll respond with disappointment, anger, and frustration. You might even let out a few expletives or whine about your…
