What are our standards?  A standard is a level at which we do things.  So what are they? (we can have more than one) Is it to skate by? To do the minimal?  Or is it to give our best?  Do we even know?  Different standards will eventually bring different results.  Giving my best all … Continue reading 457. Standards: giving my best 

What if we fail?  That question ever come up?  When I was immature, I wouldn’t try  I gave myself a back door, “I wasn’t even trying”  As we grow up - I wasn’t even trying doesn’t cut it.  Because It’s not some conjugated Latin verb test we’re taking… It’s the quality of our life and … Continue reading 456. Just begin 

“Why do you do it this way”  “Because it’s the way we’ve always done things”  …. This person has stopped thinking and now is mindlessly operating out of habit.  We’re looking to break ourselves or to stay away from this auto-pilot behavior.  What do we do out of memory or routine and don’t give a … Continue reading 455. Why do we do what we do? 

Tranquility is a state of mind.  It’s believing in ourselves and trusting we’re on the right path,  It’s not doubting ourselves due to everyone else going this way or that way.  And having clarity of where we want to go, strengthens this belief.  It’s not that we’re 10,000% certain all the time, but we know … Continue reading 454. We’re on the right path 

What are some things begging for our attention?  Food? Apps? The media stories? A yearn for attention?  Food scientists are trying to get our attention.  Engineers are designing apps more addictive than gambling.  The media is manufacturing stories to get us riled up.  We play games, trying to get our way.  We know this. - … Continue reading 453. The pulling of our attention 

Really what can we control?  Not a lot.  Because we can only control just one thing.  Our minds.  Our bodies aren’t within our control , we could lose an arm, tooth, or leg.. And neither are the people we love, they could be gone in a second… We could be thrown in jail, then what?  … Continue reading 452. Just one thing 

Let's remind ourselves of what we can (and cannot) control… And to focus on the former vs the latter.  Let’s remind ourselves that the only thing in this life that is truly ours is our power to make decisions - our choices (and to use reason and proper judgment when doing so)  Because this power … Continue reading 451. Prepare to start it all over tomorrow 

Steadiness, stability, tranquility - traits most of us aspire to have but seem to experience (if at all) sporadically.  How can we live this way?  Not through luck or running away.  But by filtering the outside world through our lens. We can take messed up, confusing, overwhelming “things” and make them orderly.  BUT  If we … Continue reading 450. Easy does it

We can’t control much.  But we can control everything.  We can’t control the externals, a little freaky.  But it’s okay because our opinions about those events? We can control.  We decide if something is fun or fair or good Or not fun, unfair, and bad… We can’t control situations, but we can control our opinions … Continue reading 449. It’s better to go inward 

Harmless indulgences: coffee, internet, checking our phone, soda, a little weed or alcohol… These things left unchecked can become full-blown addictions without us even realizing it.  These little compulsions and drives cloud our focus. And we think we’re in control… but are we really?  Checking our phone every few minutes, 8 cups of coffee a … Continue reading 448. The freedom of choice