The Ramblings of the Titanium Don

Why Does Everything Come With A Lesson?

Learning is essential to your life experience. Everything you do, everything that just happens, every experience you have, anyone you meet, anywhere you go, will teach you a lesson. Some lessons don’t manifest immediately, others are instantaneous, and still others appear one way but turn out to be another. Even the greatest minds to ever live, the smartest, wisest, and most educated on the planet today, and those who are yet to come can’t and don’t know everything. Nobody can

When Is It Okay to Say No?

Nobody but you can answer this question. All around us, there are messages recommending that we say yes. Say yes to new experiences, new people, new opportunities, and on and on. What’s more, “yes” has become associated with positivity and “no” with negativity at the most basic levels. The result we tend to experience from this is that, often, saying “no” is seen as selfish, undesirable, and utterly negative. When you say “no” you close doors rather than open them.

Is What We Think Other People Think About Us What We Secretly Think About Ourselves?

What do we know about how others think and feel – especially about us? Even the most introverted people I know have interactions with other people along the way. Friends, family, coworkers, random strangers, and so on. No matter if you are an introvert, extrovert, ambivert, or uncategorized personality type, you do not exist in a bubble. Because of this truth, to a greater or lesser degree, you desire to make an impression on people. This is wildly variable, situational,

Is There Always a Path to Choose?

Yes, but you alone can decide on it. Everyone experiences at least two “New Years” annually. One is the change of the calendar, December 31 into January 1. The other is your birthday and the change of the year for you and your life. With the start of a new year, many people set goals and make various plans to a greater or lesser extent for what their life might look like. At the start of the calendar year, there

Very Few Choices Are Written in Stone and Can’t be Made Anew

Recognizing and acknowledging this is very empowering. I have long believed that there are three ways to live life. Let life live you. Mostly live by rote, routine, and habit. Let what happens happen. Overall, you just accept what’s given, that things are a certain way, and you make only a few active, mindful choices for the direction of your life. Overall, however, you just roll with what happens around you. Curl up in a ball and await death. While

Mindfulness Isn’t Just About the Mind

The whole body is impacted by active conscious awareness practice. Given that it’s right there in the name – mindfulness – it’s easy to presume this is all about the mind. While that’s mostly true, it’s only a portion of the truth. Everything begins with thought. Thought happens on three levels – unconscious, subconscious, and conscious. The unconscious is how you breathe automatically, digest, blink, and fire the neurons that move the muscles to lift your arm into the air

Why Do I Feel This Way?

Short answer – because life is a crazy, unpredictable ride. For the record, depression sucks. Most of the time I keep the black dog at bay. I do my mindfulness, meditation, breathing exercises, fencing, take my meds, talk to my therapist, and other self-care actions regularly. Yet, I’m only human. Sometimes thinky-thoughts make me feel sad, rainy grey skies feel oppressive, and depression sits on my chest like my cat, but without the calming purr. Depression can be clinical, seasonal,

Why Is It So Hard to Just Be Yourself?

Nobody is at fault or to blame, but neither does anyone tend to teach you this. Two of the most distressing things that dominate our society are the expectations of others and the “shoulds.” Early in our lives, before we’re even scientifically capable of self-awareness, our parents and other family members guide us. Eventually it moves from guidance to direction. Instilling good habits in the young is very useful throughout life. Brush your teeth twice a day, fasten your seatbelt

Can You Have Guides Along Your Paths in Life?

Yes, but recognize the difference between guidance, obedience, and blind faith. I frequently point out that you, and you alone, live in your head, heart, and soul. Nobody else is in there, it’s only you. Hence, you’re the only one who can think, feel, intend, and act for you. All choices for your life belong to you alone. Nobody else can live your life for you. Neither can anyone else control you unless you cede any form of control to

How Do You Respond to Upsetting, Annoying, and Disappointing Things That Happen?

Not the initial, visceral response, but what you do next. I’m about to publish my first new book in 2 years. This is super exciting because this book is the conclusion to the series I’ve been working on since 2015. Saturday morning, before departing for an all-day event 2 hours away, I checked my email. The eBook variation – available for pre-order – had been canceled. WTAF? They claim I didn’t upload the final file in time. But I’m completely

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