The Ramblings of the Titanium Don

A Not-So-Bitter Pill to Swallow

Releasing a long-time fear isn’t the bitter pill I thought it might be. For most of my life, the opinions of others have been of the utmost importance to me. I’ve sought approval, recognition, and generally being liked. More and more, though, it’s become increasingly evident to me that this doesn’t matter. At least, not in the way I tend to emphasize it. What do I mean? The short answer is that the opinions of others are not what makes

Fitting in and Being Liked

Fitting in and being liked are not all that important when all is said and done. Throughout my teen years and well into my thirties, I really wanted to fit in. Not necessarily in the grand scheme of society – but within the structures that I spent time in. Before high school, I spent my formative years as an outsider. I was the odd, fat, short Jewish kid from the single-parent home in our very Lutheran Midwest suburban neighborhood. In

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

Balance for Yourself and Those You Love

Nobody is truly alone in this life. There needs to be balance for yourself and for those you love. The paths I have chosen to take for my life are mine alone. They have similarities to the paths others take – but they are still unique to me. However – I am not a single solitary figure. I have a wife, friends, and family I love deeply, and various people and responsibilities I have taken on. So, while living my

To Not Get Together with Family This Year is Good

To not get together with family this year increases the odds of doing so next year. This is an ugly truth. But, as a result of people choosing to get together at Thanksgiving, the numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths have been ramping up. This week ends with Christmas, which for many people represents the biggest of family gatherings. However, the pandemic is NOT over. Yes, there is a vaccine – but it’s important to recognize a vaccine is NOT

Stay Home and Share Thanks Apart

It may feel negative, but the positivity of choosing to stay home and share thanks is immeasurable. Here in the United States, Thanksgiving is coming up. This holiday kicks off the season since it is immediately followed by mass consumerism leading up to Christmas. This year has been one of the most difficult for virtually everyone I know. Between the ongoing pandemic, a contentious Presidential election that the loser refuses to concede, and continued uncertainty stemming from both – the

Working With the “Well-Meaning”

This post contains affiliate banner links. For more info, see my disclosures.   What do you do when the “well-meaning” friend or loved one offers “helpful” advice and commentary? If you are working on creating a unique, non-standard life experience for yourself, it has all sorts of pitfalls, trials, challenges, and obstacles along the way. When this is your why, and you are striving to consciously create reality by choosing your own path in life, it can and will impact

How Are We Stronger Together?

This post contains affiliate banner links. For more info, see my disclosures.   We are stronger together than we are apart. That’s the reason why so many of those “in power” choose to emphasize and create division. If we are divided, we are a lot easier to overcome. When I am fencing one-on-one against someone my equal, it could go either way. When facing two on one, even if they are not as skilled as I am, it’s going to

What is Self-Help?

This post contains affiliate banner links. For more info, see my disclosures.   The key to self-help is right there in the name. Self.  Help.  As in you help your self. Ironically, despite this idea of working with ourselves to help ourselves, people still seem easily inclined to give up their power, and turn to others to improve their lives. There are certainly plenty of times where we need the help of others.  Doctors can treat illnesses and prescribe needed

How Am I a Puzzle Piece?

This post contains affiliate banner links. For more info, see my disclosures.   We are all a puzzle piece in this world.  We all fit together…but not always one with the other. Every single one of us is connected.  We all come from the same source, the same oversoul, or if you prefer, God/Goddess, Powers-that-be, etc.  As such, we are all one, or at least all part of the greater whole. Each of us is a puzzle piece that makes

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