Let honesty be as the breath of thy soul. -Benjamin Franklin Can I be honest with you? Why does someone even need to start a conversation with that question? How far have we strayed if the default is now dishonesty? When can we remove our masks and honestly be our authentic, beautiful selves? Right now. […]
Author: a sugjester
Freeday – 032825
One of the spiritual leaders in Buddhism is called the Karmapa. I heard some beautiful stories about the current one. He demonstrates how we can all see plenty of beauty in our surroundings. When visiting a new city on a dreary day, he commented with honest fascination on all the tones of gray interwoven amidst […]
Wondersday – 032625
Have you ever wondered… about ullassa? I have. It is a Sanskrit word, representing any heartwarming feeling that arises when you observe and appreciate natural beauty. It could be a sunrise, a sunset, a tranquil forest, or a captivating storm. Maybe you really like the view of a brick wall or a stone path. Earlier […]
Mournday – 032425
I mourn for all of the vain folk out there, those who care more about external beauty than inner beauty. You probably think this post is about you. Why invest so much in something that is fleeting and will definitely leave you at some point in the future? Instead, you can hone inner traits and […]
Smarturday – 032225
exuberant vs. deficient exuberant (adjective) – effusively and almost uninhibitedly enthusiastic; abounding in vitality; extremely joyful and vigorous deficient (adjective) – lacking some element or characteristic; insufficient; inadequate Can you wake up full of joy, or do you grumble aloud “oh boy”? Does sun streaming in bring delight, or do you try to shut your […]
Thanksday – 032025
Does your life spark joy? Can you see the beauty in all of the little things around you? I am very thankful for Marie Kondo. She has seen the beauty in organized and purposeful placements for the majority of her life. She also recognizes how her sense of beauty has changed over the years. Beauty […]
Soulday – 031625
Authenticity creates natural beauty. As long as you see it for yourself, that is enough because beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Would you rather behold your own beauty and feel beautiful yourself? I would. How empty must it feel to only hear about it from others without believing it yourself? Only you […]
Freeday – 031425
Authenticity is not something that others bestow upon you from the outside. You should learn to listen and let it bubble up from the inside. What is your shadow trying to tell you? How is your inner child attempting to direct you? Are you thriving in your lane while adhering to the guardrails, or are […]
Wondersday – 031225
Have you ever wondered… about your shadow? I have. I used to avoid my shadow at all costs; that foolish approach only proved to be to my own detriment and deterioration. We should not hide from ourselves, else we may devolve even further. You can wear masks for everyone else, but your body will not […]
Mournday – 031025
I mourn for the copycats and posers, those inauthentic mimics who memorize movements instead of making memories. Curate compassionate creations or manufacture more mundane? Repeat the rote from others or ritualize what really reminds you of what resonates with your deepest sense of self? Authenticity allows you to be your own amazing and unique individual; […]
Smarturday – 030825
genuine vs. swindle genuine (adjective) – possessing the claimed or attributed character, quality, or origin; authentic; real; free from pretense, affectation, or hypocrisy; sincere swindle (verb/noun) – to obtain by fraud or deceit; anything deceptive; a fraud Natural inclinations vs. learned behavior Intuitive steps vs. cultured habit Flowing action vs. conditioned reaction Would you consider […]
Thanksday – 030625
Authenticity does not always demand verbosity. I am thankful for yet another Stoic philosopher, Paconius Agrippinus. As I understand it, he was a man who excelled at metaphorically marching to the beat of his own drum. It did not matter if others around him were moving to a different tune. He knew what mattered most […]
Soulday – 030225
As you start sustaining sufficient self-worth, you can begin to embody your best true self. You should always effectively prioritize yourself. Once again, it is not a selfish action or behavior because, if you are your best self, it allows you to provide your best support and assistance to all others around you. So, each […]
Freeday – 022825
Are you beginning to see and value your true worth? Can you start to embrace yourself as perfectly imperfect? See your perfect. Understand you are worth it :) That is the beauty of self-worth. It does not matter what anyone else sees or thinks. Are you at peace with your best self? Can you rest […]
Wondersday – 022625
Have you ever wondered… about saying no more? How often do you say yes to whatever someone asks of you? Has it ever occurred to you that constantly saying yes to others means you are always saying no to yourself? Please ponder now if that feels very fair to you. Have you considered what your […]
Mournday – 022425
I mourn for all of the chronic pessimists out there. Why throw pity parties when you can proceed down your lane in a positivity parade? Wave your pom-poms proudly. I get it. Times can be tough. We can sometimes feel worthless if we let the outside world affect and infect us so severely. Why do […]
Smarturday – 022225
amour propre (noun) – a sense of one’s own worth; self-respect Do you have a good sense of your own worth? Are you critical or generous with your assessment? Do you give yourself the benefit of the doubt? Can you approach your self-evaluation more impeccably? Can you recognize that you are trying your best? If […]
Thanksday – 022025
I am thankful for many of the monks out there in the world; they prove that it is possible to put aside the desire for material and physical gains and possessions. They can devote and dedicate their life and their work to a higher purpose, defining and finding a sense of self-worth that transcends earthly […]
Soulday – 021625
When you define your own worth, the sky can be the limit. Actually, you can aim even higher. Shoot for the stars. Or, why even stop there? What lies even further beyond, in a higher state? A sugjestion: forever fix your forecasts firmly yet flexibly for the firmament. Your self-worth is determined by you. You […]
Freeday – 021425
Be confident in your ability to love yourself and others; do not let fear win instead of cheer. There will be challenges; you can proceed through the good and the bad with a sensible surety of self. Know thyself, keep calm, and carry on with confidence. You are very loved. All emotions will come and […]
Wondersday – 021225
Have you ever wondered… about boundaries? I have. Boundaries are meant to safeguard your sacred space. They should not impose on others, similar to how their boundaries should leave your lane and personal choices unaffected, too. Boundaries are guardrails. One shouldn’t just hope to be treated well; one must insist on it. -Abraham Verghese Think […]
Mournday – 021025
I mourn for all of the sad and selfish people out there who feel that it is necessary to resort to negging. Think about it… rather than working on being their best selves, they choose to challenge and compromise the confidence of others. Instead of actively lifting themselves and others up, they drag those around […]
Smarturday – 020825
jaunty vs. diffident jaunty (adjective) – having or expressing a lively and self-confident manner; smartly trim; a stylish or spirited confidence diffident (adjective) – lacking confidence in one’s own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy; restrained or reserved in manner, conduct, etc. Embody feeling jaunty; avoid unnecessary flaunties. Make a difference; avoid diffidence. When you […]
Thanksday – 020625
I am thankful for the rap god among many mere mortals. Whether a mockingbird or the monster, Eminem has established himself as a confident mainstay within the realm of rap music. To gauge your own confidence, I sugjest asking yourself, “if you had one shot or one opportunity, to seize everything you ever wanted, one […]
Soulday – 020225
Do you believe in yourself? How much doubt do you possess? Confidence is critical in order to dance through life as smoothly and effectively as possible. Like a snowball, we can start small and let our self-confidence accumulate slowly with each action that augments the aggregate. Soon enough, you may need to balance out an […]
Freeday – 013125
All you need is a little love. Be strong, and let your heart keep on beating. Do not give in to any defeating because life can be quite quick and fleeting. Grow your circle with new meetings. Flex your brain with warm greetings. Anger can be rather depleting if you fan the flames with too […]
Wondersday – 012925
Have you ever wondered… about mantras? I have. I use them a lot, probably multiple times each and every day. They are truths for you to hold near and dear whenever a mental reset may be needed to course correct a current current of emotions that may have derailed you from your fortress of fortitude. […]
Mournday – 012725
I mourn for meatheads. They look so big and tough on the outside, but how truly strong are they on the inside? Sure, there are rare exceptions, but the bulk of them are bulky for a reason. They think a strong exterior will keep them safe and protected from what has previously hurt their interior. […]
Smarturday – 012525
mettle vs. meddle mettle (noun) – courage and fortitude; disposition or temperament meddle (verb) – to involve oneself in a matter without right or invitation; interfere officiously and unwantedly Meld your mettle. Be slow to meddle. What is your metal? Will you earn a medal? Are you working on your mettle, or are you busy […]
Thanksday – 012325
I wish I could share a day with Carl Jung. Even though we sadly do not have any days of life overlapping, very few people make me feel as seen or heard as this man does. To be as brilliant and accepted as he was in the scientific world, paving the way for modern psychology, […]
Soulday – 011925
It takes a deep and profound level of strength to stare directly at an issue or a problem and face it without batting an eye. What comes to mind for you when you think about fortitude? Is it a strong person capable of lifting heavy weights? That was frequently a prior misconception of this word […]
Freeday – 011725
In 1814, hundreds of thousands of gallons of beer broke through a wall of a brewery and lethally disrupted a wake with yet more death. Eight people were killed that day by beer, and they were not even trying to consume alcohol. Three were five years old or younger. Wooden vats were slowly phased out […]
Wondersday – 011525
Have you ever wondered… about mindful eating? I have. If you look around in most places, you will see a lot of mindless eating. I did plenty of it in my past, and I still notice myself slipping into such a state on occasion. Noticing and adjusting it is what matters. When is the last […]
Mournday – 011325
This post has required the strongest practice of temperance from me this cycle because of how my blood begins to boil each time I dig deeper into the dreadful details. Today, I mourn for the victims of recent, senseless, and intemperate attacks – the New Year’s Day atrocity in New Orleans as well as the […]
Smarturday – 011125
forbearing vs. immoderate forbearing (adjective/verb) – being patient or practicing self-control when subjected to annoyance or provocation; refraining or holding back appropriately immoderate (adjective) – not moderate; exceeding just or reasonable limits; excessive; extreme; intemperate; without bounds Be forbearing one with another and set not your affections on things below. Pride not yourselves in your […]
Thanksday – 010925
I can easily temper the complexity of this post because you can find plenty of information about this famous figure elsewhere. With that said, whenever I consider temperance, Marcus Aurelius often jumps to mind. Hand-selected to assume one of the most powerful positions on the planet at his time, he sets a golden standard for us […]
Soulday – 010525
News Flash: you are not cooler than me :) Guess what else, though? I am also not cooler than you :) Feel seen by your own eyes. That is what matters; that is enough. Anything else is extra, excessive, and extraneous. In a way, build blinders for your lane. Drive your own life with your […]
Freeday – 010325
Patience empowers and promotes politeness. Who truly appreciates rude and abrupt interjections, being cut off mid-sentence? We can make our minds so like still water that beings gather about us that they may see… and so live for a moment with a clearer, perhaps even with a fiercer life because of our quiet. -William Butler […]
Wondersday – 010125
Have you ever wondered… about mudras? I have. For today, the focus will be on the prithvi mudra which corresponds with the earth element and aids us in becoming more grounded. As a result, we can better and more easily practice patience in such a state of grounded calmness. For the prithvi mudra, the tips […]
Mournday – 123024
I struggled to patiently put this post together. It feels like something was in the water or pudding around the prior holidays; so much impatience popped up in many places at a surprisingly rapid pace. In general, I mourn for all of the impatient people. How much of life are we rushing through? Why are […]
Smarturday – 122824
respire (verb) – to inhale and exhale air for the purpose of maintaining life; breathe; to breathe freely again, after anxiety, trouble, etc. Respirate, wait Respirate, wait Therein lies a path to being great Want to rush ahead? Still living with dread? Take a moment to pause in order to check cause If you move […]
Thanksday – 122624
On a recent plane ride home, the in-seat entertainment screens were acting up some intermittently. I was patient with the staff as they reset systems multiple times, trying to fix the root cause. Regardless, for some odd and unexplained reason, I could not watch certain options that were contained within their current cinematic catalogue. Interestingly […]
Soulday – 122224
Let us start with a pondery: has impatience ever benefited you? For example, what if you checked this website daily for the last two weeks, expecting to see something new or different? I said thirteen days would be taken off, and thirteen days were taken off. It honestly feels like I lived an entire lifetime […]
Soulday – 120824
Good things come to those who wait. Approximately how many times have you heard that phrase throughout your life? If you are like me, then patience is difficult to practice at times (or almost always). As a way to help us all hone more patience, I am going to take the next thirteen days off […]
Freeday – 120624
In my experience and opinion, resilience can be easily underrated and overlooked. Similar to many prior cycles, I have gained even more appreciation and respect for this belief and virtue. I feel more steadfast and unperturbed at this point. While I know that feeling will ebb and flow with time, I also know what baseline […]
Wondersday – 120424
Have you ever wondered… about wu wei? I have. The term is rooted in Confucianism as well as Taoism, the natural way of the universe. It is almost like doing nothing and letting the world come to you. It is not quite that simple, though. Ideally, we should still be doing the best next thing […]
Mournday – 120224
I mourn for suicide victims, those people who ran out of perceived resilience and saw no other way. I wish they could have gotten help before that final moment in order to not be lost, confused, and alone, thinking the only way forward was ending their precious life. This story epitomizes a resilient football player. […]
Smarturday – 113024
elasticity (noun) – the state or quality of being capable of returning to original length, shape, etc., after being stretched, deformed, compressed, or expanded; flexibility; resilience; adaptability; ability to resist or overcome depression; buoyancy Does your mind quickly snap to rubber bands, too? I believe that we can be extremely elastic individuals but only if […]
Thanksday – 112824
I am thankful for the respectable resilience of indigenous communities and cultures across the world. Imperialistic colonization caused more problems than solutions in my opinion. As a global society, I think those warmongering ways set us further back instead of aiding in advancements and ascensions. Therefore, I am extremely grateful for the fact that many […]
Soulday – 112424
It feels like a very humble act to step away from a frivolous fight, yet it does not seem sensible to ever take the fight out of our own self. We have to be able to keep bouncing back from struggles and adversities; we fight for and with our lives. Human perseverance is often due […]
Freeday – 112224
I am truly humbled by the opportunity to keep writing. I would be lying if I do not admit that it is hard at times to keep my nose to the grindstone. I grapple with an expectation of recognition from time to time, but then I remind myself of why I do this in the […]
Wondersday – 112024
Have you ever wondered… about unselfconsciousness? I have but only recently when the term was first introduced to me. I did not realize that such a cool concept existed until encountering it in a brief meditation practice; I am amazed and fascinated by this state of being. It can easily epitomize humility because your self […]
Mournday – 111824
Can I BE any sadder? That is how I feel whenever I process the fact that Matthew Perry is no longer with us. It takes a lot of courage and humility to fully and truly admit your struggles and shortcomings to those around you. Now magnify that pressure with the whole world watching. The life […]
Smarturday – 111624
self-effacing (adjective) – tending to make oneself, one’s actions, etc, inconspicuous, especially because of humility or timidity; modest “Humility is an emotion that arises when we recognize our limitations, imperfections, and interdependence with others. It can manifest as a sense of openness, curiosity, or gratitude. Humility can be a powerful emotion, helping us to learn […]
Thanksday – 111424
This Thanksday, I want to recognize my thankfulness for all of the truly authentic and real people out there in the world. It is easy for us to get swept away in the latest look or trend that we feel compelled to adhere to. It is frequently comfortable to blend in, but does that make […]
Soulday – 111024
Once restorative and rejuvenating rest has been established, it becomes far easier to begin to strengthen humility. Pride can sweep in quickly if you are not careful and cautious. Humility often felt like a soft or weak skill to me, but I now realize that it is the opposite, at least for me. Humility is […]
Freeday – 110824
Rest. I ain’t giving up on you :) We need society, and we need solitude also, as we need summer and winter, day and night, exercise and rest. -Philip Gilbert Hamerton We cannot always be there for everyone else. Else, when are we here for ourselves? When do we have a chance to check in […]
Wondersday – 110624
Have you ever wondered… about rectangular breathing? I have. It is one of my favorite breathing techniques. While square breathing has been widely popularized in recent years, I do not enjoy that method as much. The key to rectangular breathing is to make your exhales longer than your inhales. I like to visualize a tall […]
Mournday – 110424
I mourn for all the workaholics out there. Burnout is a very real deal, and many people suffer from it due to their inability to reliably regulate their rest. What is left when you are nothing but a husk? How productive can you perpetually prove to be without rest? When we’re burned out, sometimes we […]
Smarturday – 110224
rejuvenate vs. enervate rejuvenate (verb) – to restore to youthful vigor, appearance, etc.; to make fresh or new again enervate (verb) – to deprive of force or strength; to destroy the vigor of; to weaken We naturally enervate throughout each day. Random issues and stressors pop up as we go about our lives. If we […]
Thanksday – 103124
I am very thankful for all of the mindfulness and meditation practitioners and teachers out there in the world. Like I mentioned recently, I listen to the Calm app a lot. Jay Shetty is one of my favorites, but I still enjoy listening along to the others on occasion as well. They have all taught […]
Soulday – 102724
Sometimes, to reharmonize internally, we simply need to take a break and enjoy some well-deserved rest. After all, if you do not take care of yourself, then how can you truly expect others to pick up the slack or carry your weight? Can you really help others to the best of your full potential and […]
Freeday – 102524
How well are you harmonizing with your surroundings? Today yielded insightful reflections for me. I felt my harmonies ebbing and flowing throughout the day. I enjoyed the good parts and reflected on the difficult aspects. Those reflections helped me in recognizing what I can adjust within my perspective to smooth out those difficulties in the […]