The Ramblings of the Titanium Don

Focusing Within Gives You More Control Than Focusing Without

I need to put less into focusing on the things outside of my control. We live in a crazy world. After a year that featured massive, necessary social change due to a pandemic, an awful election and ongoing ugliness after it, and massive uncertainty – there is a light at the end of the tunnel. But that light isn’t the same for everyone. For some people it’s daylight – for others, it’s an oncoming train. This is largely dependent on

Stronger as We

The positivity of being WE and disregarding “us” or “them” is tremendous. We are all one. When you get past these physical bodies we identify ourselves as, the communities and affiliations you and I place ourselves within, and any other identifications you can imagine – we are the same. At our core, we are Universal source energy. It doesn’t matter if you are male, female, fat, thin, Christian, atheist, American, Korean, or whatever other labels you can think of. At

Who Stands by You?

As you traverse your paths in life, who stands by you both matters – and doesn’t. Introverts or extroverts, human beings are social creatures. Some people need the energy and connection – literal and figurative – of others in their lives frequently. Some people need that same energy far less often. But it’s a fact of life and human nature that we’re social and need at least SOME interaction and connection. When I began to be more authentic in how

Is Optimism Inappropriate Now?

Optimism is never misplaced or inappropriate. But it needs to be in the context of reality. Optimism in the world today seems like a Pollyanna, rose-colored glasses, unrealistic attitude. In the United States, we are still in the middle of an out-of-control pandemic; an utterly disheartening and frustrating election; a government that cares way more about the money than the people; out-of-control, militarized police forces murdering indiscriminately – and getting away with it; a President obsessed with dictators and hoping

You Only Can Help You

You Can Only Help You It’s important to be there for your friends and loved ones…but this is more important. There is only one you. The only person who knows what’s best for you is you. Yet if you are a caring person, you are probably a giver. As such, likely you put yourself last. What’s more, it’s all-too-easy to believe that any other option is an act of selfishness. Of course you come last. Other people in your life,

Living in this Moment

Right now, at this moment, how are you feeling? One of the key tenets of the practice of mindfulness is being in the now. Rather than looking back to the past or forward to the future, often subconsciously, you put yourself in the now, consciously. When you are conscious of where you are, what you are doing, and what you are thinking and feeling that is practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness is awareness, primarily of yourself…but that also better opens you to

Recognizing the Incredible Positivity of Compliments

There is Incredible Positivity in Compliments These are fundamental building blocks of empowerment that tend to be underused. You are amazing. I think you are awesome. You make me smile. I love seeing you. You inspire me. I think you look fantastic. You are clever and creative. I am really happy to have you in my life! Why is it so hard for people to offer up compliments? For real, how did this become so difficult? Criticism? No problem, you

Anyone Can Show You a Path – But Only You Can Walk It

Anyone Can Show You a Path, But Only You Can Walk It It doesn’t matter what the choices are, the decision is yours and yours alone. I made a decision that I would choose my own path in this life. Though my choice has been imperfect, and I have stumbled and struggled along the way, I am still glad I made that decision. Why? Because I believe that I have taken control of my life. I am not just going

Life is Absurd

Life is absurd. Recognizing the overall absurdity of life helps with understanding this. Do you ever pause and look at the world way outside of yourself and think, isn’t this bizarre –or-wtaf? People get all in a tizzy about variations in skin color, choices in lovers, which god/gods/goddesses to worship or not, invisible borders, civility, and basic human decency. It is just so crazy, so illogical, so…absurd. Then perhaps you look a little less far afield. The sun and clouds,

The World is Not on Fire

The World is Not on Fire Despite appearances, the world is not, in fact, burning down. There is no denying that we are living in trying times. The amount of hatred, anger, indignity, and negativity you and I encounter on a daily basis is utterly staggering. If you give this too much attention, it becomes far too easy to see the world as being on fire. Whether the dumpster fire is Trump, Brexit, corporate greed, climate change, or what-have-you, it