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 […]
Author: a sugjester
Wondersday – 102324
Have you ever wondered… about phi? I have. Phi has many names, like the golden ratio or the divine proportion. Mathematically, if you break something up into two parts, then the ratio between the whole and the bigger part should be the same as the ratio between the bigger part and the smaller one. That […]
Mournday – 102124
My heart broke last week as I read about the tragic incident involving Liam Payne. My sympathies only strengthened as I learned more about some of the underlying details. Growing up with fame at an early age rarely sets you up for success. It was disheartening to learn that the easiest strategy to secure a […]
Smarturday – 101924
rapprochement vs. encroachment rapprochement (noun) – an establishment or reestablishment of harmonious relations encroachment (noun) – an act or instance of advancing beyond proper, established, or usual limits; trespassing Being in tune vs. out of touch Are you establishing harmony? It may not always be much Build your symphony. Being a solo artist can get […]
Thanksday – 101724
With harmony in mind, I want to express a general thankfulness for all music. I have yet to discover a style of it that I cannot appreciate on at least some level. While all music may not resonate on the same plane or in a similar fashion, it is a pure form of creation. We […]
Soulday – 101324
As you grow your view of the world and accept it compassionately, the rhythm and resonance of your surroundings strengthen to your senses. Or, rather, an increase in your senses improves your perception of identifying and immersing yourself in flow. Vibing. Harmonizing. I like considering that there is not only one way to harmonize. Instead, […]
Freeday – 101124
One of the biggest or best ways that you can grow is by apologizing for any missteps in your past, whenever you overreached beyond your lane and negatively impacted the lane of another. You can (and probably should) apologize for your past action. There is no need to go into detail if you do not […]
Wondersday – 100924
Have you ever wondered… about oubaitori? I have. This Japanese word represents the idea that we all grow and blossom at our own rate and time. Flowers are not all in sync. There is no one-size-fits-all, cookie cutter style to living life. We each learn and develop individually. All of it is beautiful. Fast. Slow. […]
Mournday – 100724
When I see and hear about Dikembe Mutombo and his career in the NBA, I often think about an immovable wall. A strong defender who is ready to wag a finger your way in dismissal. The second best ever for all-time blocks in the league. There are not many people out there who have done […]
Smarturday – 100524
accretion vs. depletion accretion (noun) – an increase by natural growth or by gradual external addition; growth in size or extent; the growing together of separate parts into a single whole depletion (noun) – a serious decrease; the exhaustion of abundance or supply Are you growing or shrinking? Expanding or compressing?? Accreting or depleting??? Prejudices,it […]
Thanksday – 100324
I am extremely thankful for all of the teachers out there. At the end of the day, this thankfulness can probably encompass all of us. Does anyone go through life without teaching, either yourself or others, and either directly or indirectly? Learning from your own mistakes; listening to others; all moments of teaching. The beauty […]
Soulday – 092924
As you accept yourself and others better, you can begin to work on growth. You have a lot of new information that becomes available as you listen and learn more, and you can use it all to fuel inner and outer growth. Which soft skill can you sharpen some? What physical feature can you work […]
Freeday – 092724
Accept humbly:let go easily. -Marcus Aurelius How often do you beat yourself up for what you have said, done, or even thought? I know I was guilty of this bad habit for far too long. I still slip and falter on occasion these days, but I am improving well in this area each day. It […]
Wondersday – 092524
Have you ever wondered… about wabi-sabi? I have. It is a Japanese term that reminds us to accept the temporary and imperfect aspects of life. Wabi-sabi teaches us to appreciate simplicity and authenticity. If we slow down and think about it clearly, how often are situations truly perfect? Why do we strive for such an […]
Mournday – 092324
I mourn for all of the “control freaks” out there. Therefore, in part, I mourn for myself, too. Accepting more is not always easy. Letting go of the controls for each and every action can be very challenging and difficult. We grow accustomed to calling all our own plays. In doing so, though, how much […]
Smarturday – 092124
acknowledge vs. disparage acknowledge (verb) – to admit to be real or true; recognize the existence, truth, or fact of; to show or express appreciation or gratitude for disparage (verb) – to speak of or treat slightingly; depreciate; belittle; to bring reproach or discredit upon; lower the estimation of Which do you do more of: […]
Thanksday – 091924
It can be difficult to accept life sometimes. On occasion, the challenges we face can feel insurmountable. I am thankful for Michael J. Fox. He has lived with Parkinson’s disease for over three decades; at this point, he has lived with it longer than his years prior without it. He did not accept the diagnosis […]
Soulday – 091524
My happiness grows in direct proportion to my acceptance,and in inverse proportions to my expectations. -Michael J. Fox Be here. Now. In this moment. There can be such quiet and peace. Acceptance is the key; being okay with what currently is. Learning to ease off on the need to control every. minute. detail. Like one […]
Freeday – 091324
Compassion and tolerance are not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. -Dalai Lama I appreciate this cycle immensely; it reminds me to focus on the good in life. With modern media and all the news that we get inundated with, it can be easy to distract oneself amidst so much negativity and […]
Wondersday – 091124
Have you ever wondered… about Tonglen? I have. Tonglen is a style of Buddhist meditation that cultivates compassion in one’s life. It stands for giving and taking or sending and receiving. Tonglen gives you a chance to do your part to help those around you, and it only takes a bit of your time. It […]
Mournday – 090924
I mourn for two students and two teachers today: Christian Angulo Mason Schermerhorn Cristina Irimie Richard Aspinwall Last week, a fourteen-year-old in Georgia decided to discompassionately step well outside of his lane. As someone who yearns to understand the world and its workings, I would like to determine why that student exercised such an extreme. […]
Smarturday – 090724
self-compassion vs. self-contempt self-compassion (noun)- the practice of being kind and understanding with oneself, rather than being harshly self-critical when faced with failure, mistakes, or feelings of inadequacy self-contempt (noun)- contempt or loathing for oneself or one’s actions; a strong feeling of disliking and having no respect for oneself If your compassion does not include […]
Thanksday – 090524
This Thanksday, I choose to recognize Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi. As a shorter nickname, she is often referred to simply as Amma, or “mother.” Amma is known as the hugging saint; she has spent decades of her life hugging millions of humans. She chooses to freely and willingly share her gift with the world. Her […]
Soulday – 090124
Compassion is choosing to care. You want to express concern and sympathy for someone, even yourself, and their struggle. You want to help. If you are happy, then others can be happy. Similarly, if others are happy, then you can be happy. We can all work more on extending more compassion, both inwardly for ourselves […]
Freeday – 083024
I was not sure how to culminate this cycle. Then, it dawned on me. Why not show some examples of what all I express gratitude for? Before I proceed, though, please understand that I only offer the following as a guide. If it stirs up any jealousy or resentment within you, then I am sorry. […]
Wondersday – 082824
Have you ever wondered… about nostalgia? I have. I find nostalgia to be one of those magical practices where balance of its use is key; else, it becomes too easy to abuse. Think of it like candy – a little bit here and there as a reward or a treat can be good, but if […]
Mournday – 082624
I mourn for the loss of loved ones. Will any of us fully and truly avoid these experiences? I doubt it; grief is one of the toughest battles we each face. How we rise to those challenges says so much about our values. Do we honor their memories well, or do we selfishly fight against […]
Smarturday – 082424
avid vs. vapid avid (adjective) – showing great enthusiasm for or interest in; eager vapid (adjective) – without liveliness or spirit; dull or tedious; flat Gratitude energizes appreciation for life. It helps you feel avid instead of vapid. The change can be quite rapid if you shift your mindset and count your blessings. Gratitude enlivens […]
Thanksday – 082224
I choose to diffuse the topic for Thanksday this cycle. After all, gratitude is all about being thankful for everything that you do have, so I will steep that idea for a greater degree of flexibilitea this time. I am thankful for tea. It is an easy pleasure that I can look forward to enjoying […]
Soulday – 081824
Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. -Maya Angelou How often do you slow down or stop to appreciate everything around you? “Moment to pause” is another DBT skill that can be valuable here. When you go to sleep, do you think about all of the things that […]
Freeday – 081624
We often talk about resting in peace once we pass on from this world or earthly life. What about LIP? Live in peace, right here and right now. You can do it if you so choose – prioritize, possess, and spread peaceful power. When we have peace in our hearts and minds, we draw peace […]
Wondersday – 081424
Have you ever wondered… about hakuna matata? I have. This phrase, while widely well known now, has its origins rooted within Swahili. It means no worries, for the rest of your days. Literally, hakuna matata translates into English as “there are no worries.” How nice, pleasant, and wonderful, right? Do you know what it sounds […]
Mournday – 081224
I mourn for Thích Nhât Hanh; he is nicknamed the father of mindfulness, and he had many other labels and names attributed to him over the years, some good, some bad. No matter what others tried to say or do to him, though, he kept pushing for world peace. Shunned from his home country of […]
Smarturday – 081024
irenic vs. ironic irenic (adjective) – tending to promote peace or reconciliation; peaceful or conciliatory ironic (adjective) – using words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning; of, relating to, or tending to use irony or mockery; coincidental; unexpected These two words do not contrast inherently; irenic and ironic can […]
Thanksday – 080824
I am thankful for they/them pronouns. To be fully truthful with y’all, I initially balked at the idea of the singular they when I first encountered this new concept. It was different and foreign from what I grew up with and was used to or familiar and comfortable with. However, once I accepted that initial […]
Truceday – 080624
We must seek, above all, a world of peace; a world in which peoples dwell together in mutual respect and work together in mutual regard. -John F. Kennedy We are two months and one day away from the first annual anniversary of the surprise attack on Israel by Hamas. That day was horrible. What Israel […]
Soulday – 080424
You find peace not by rearranging the circumstances of your life,but by realizing who you are at the deepest level. -Eckhart Tolle Truth paves the way to peace. If you are not truthful with yourself, then how can you be at peace? You may think you can still be happy, but delusions deceive you. Your […]
Freeday – 080224
How much truth do you speak? Lately, I often circle back to how much I hate the greeting or opening phrase of “what’s up?” What is up? Probably the same for you as for me (the sky or ceiling above each of us), so what point does it truly serve? Instead of inane starts, let […]
Wondersday – 073124
Have you ever wondered… about sacca-kiriya (or saccha kiriya)? I have. It is an act of truth within the Hindu and Buddhist worlds. In fact, this concept exists across established and folk religions alike. I think of it as the equivalent of biblical miracles. After all, a parting of water shows up as an example […]
Mournday – 072924
When did fake news and alternative facts become a thing? When did we decide it was better to battle disbeliefs rather than rally our reality for real? There are many reasons why I choose to mourn for truth. You can find any answer or support online these days. Does that mean it is all right […]
Smarturday – 072724
logic vs. logorrhea logic (noun) – the science that investigates the principles governing correct or reliable inference; the system or principles of reasoning applicable to any branch of knowledge or study; reason or sound judgment, as in utterances or actions; convincing forcefulness; inexorable truth or persuasiveness logorrhea (noun) – pathologically incoherent, repetitious speech; incessant or […]
Thanksday – 072524
I am thankful for Queen Lear. Truthfully, it is Lear deBessonet who I am thankful for, but I did not want to pass up on that playful possibility. First, I believe, early on in her life, Lear predicted and persistently pursued her passion as a theater director. That is a wonderful truth in and of […]
Soulday – 072124
Truthfully, I did not know what this next cycle’s theme would entail as of the last post on Friday, so I could not allude to or foreshadow it like I prefer. I was honestly exhausted, mentally drained by a magnitude or two. Delving into forgiveness was challenging and heavy for me. I still have plenty […]
Freeday – 071924
Until we have seen someone’s darkness, we don’t really know who they are.Until we have forgiven someone’s darkness, we don’t really know what love is. -Marianne Williamson There is an extreme concept that I enjoy considering and attempting to practice – radical forgiveness. It confirms my thought from earlier this cycle about whether we should […]
Wondersday – 071724
Have you ever wondered… about kintsugi? I have. It is a Japanese art form known as golden joinery or golden repair. Rather than throwing out a bowl, cup, or plate as soon as it breaks, they turn it into an art project. I think that is so lovely. They spend the time and invest the […]
Mournday – 071524
Everyone in this world is somehow connected. So why not just be nice to everybody? -Richard Simmons Today, I mourn for the loss of Richard Simmons. While I have yet to find any sources or quotes of him advocating for forgiveness specifically, especially for self-forgiveness, I think he epitomized the idea, at least indirectly. A […]
Smarturday – 071324
magnanimous (adjective) – generous in forgiving an insult or injury; free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness For me, forgiveness and compassion are always linked: How do we hold people accountable for wrongdoing and yet at the same time remain in touch with their humanity enough to believe in their capacity to be transformed? -bell hooks […]
Thanksday – 071124
I am very thankful for Mayo Clinic. If given the choice between researching a topic via Mayo or WebMD, I hope we will always trust the more credible resource. That is Mayo, in case it needs to be said for anyone. After all, you should “be careful about reading health books. You may die of […]
Soulday – 070724
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. -Mahatma Gandhi Forgiveness is a strong pillar with which to build your bridge upon; it can provide solid support. When established and strengthened, it can open up your potential to accept more and live freely. You do not have to become great at […]
Freeday – 070524
Earlier this week, one of the teachers in my life randomly told me about the root form of courage. Cuer in Old French or Cor in Latin both refer to the heart. An obsolete definition of courage even describes the heart as the source of emotion. To be courageous, we must have heart and feel […]
Wondersday – 070324
Have you ever wondered… about mind over matter? I have. Zen do. Life go(al IMO). Yea. Seriously, though, being able to better handle pain by processing it less (or not at all as some people courageously claim)? If we do not notice it, then it cannot affect our current state of being since we […]
Mournday – 070124
Today, I choose to mourn for the untimely and early death of Michael King, Jr. When I think of courage, he is on the list. Even his father practiced courage after a trip abroad. After feeling inspired by a religious revival in Germany, he courageously chose to change his own name as well as that of […]
Smarturday – 062924
diffident vs. effulgent diffident – adjective – lacking confidence in one’s own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy. Also, restrained or reserved in manner, conduct, etc. effulgent – adjective – shining forth brilliantly; radiant When I think about these two words, my mind jumps to indifferent and effusive: indifferent – adjective – without interest or […]
Thanksday – 062724
How many years ago did we assign seats for adults in America? Fewer than a hundred. Even now in some places across the world, we essentially still observe this practice. In my opinion, I think it is absurd and outdated; I think it never deserved a place in society. Why should skin complexion enter the […]
Soulday – 062324
All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. -Walt Disney I dream of world peace; I dream of no more needless suffering; I dream of freedom for all. Lofty? Definitely. Unattainable? I hope not. Time will tell, though. What do you dream of? If you want to change the […]
Freeday – 062124
Curiouser and curiouser! -Alice “She was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English.” It is like having the wind knocked out of you; it is being caught off guard. You are unprepared; your mind is blown. Curiosity can be so powerful and life-changing, y’all. One can’t believe […]
Wondersday – 061924
Have you ever wondered… about the expression “great minds think alike”? I have. Why do you think that expression exists? I think it exists because great minds are aligned. They are often the most curious of minds, yet they share similarities. I think great minds sync up for a higher purpose and tap into the […]
Mournday – 061724
I mourn for doomers. The term caught me by surprise last week when I heard it in a TED talk. When I realized what the speaker had said, though, after backtracking once, I was in awe. Imagine existing in such a perpetual fear state that you basically stop living your life. You constantly worry and […]
Smarturday – 061524
Inquisitive vs. Indubitable Inquisitive (adjective) – given to inquiry, research, or asking questions; eager for knowledge; intellectually curious Indubitable (adjective) – that cannot be doubted; patently evident or certain; unquestionable I think very few things should be considered indubitable; I choose to remain inquisitive about almost anything and everything. Sure, the sun will rise, and […]
Thanksday – 061324
Today, I am very thankful for curiosity and someone who spends much of their life being extremely curious about… curiosity! Todd Kashdan, thank you for passionately and professionally researching curiosity. I found it very amusing that, during the week prior to this cycle starting, as I began to plan this next theme out, I heard […]
Soulday – 060924
I have no special talents.I am only passionately curious. -Albert Einstein Mr. Einstein did not simply self-identify as a curious individual; no, he described himself as passionately curious. In another quote, he encourages us to possess a “holy curiosity” in order to help “make your life worth living.” I love these enhancements of curiosity; I […]
Freeday – 060724
An 87-year-old world leader apologized within hours to days of his mistake going public. He did not dilly-dally or try to discount or disparage the details. Pope Francis owned his error and brought balance back to the scales, at least on a small scale. How many other “men” in “power” have recently acted similarly with […]
Wondersday – 060524
Have you ever wondered… about forest bathing? I have. Shinrin-yoku is the Japanese word or term for it; this art or practice originated in Japan. It is an idea that you can heal yourself by immersing your body, mind, and soul in the natural world. I do not imply that it will fix all ailments, […]