Pathwalking 127

What do you do when it feels like it’s all for naught? How do you handle that feeling of being on the verge of tears, ready but unable to cry, in pain physical or emotional? What do you do when you feel as if all of your efforts, all of your brave talk and tough choices feel as though they mean nothing? Don’t fight it. Let it out. Feel the sadness. Feel the disappointment. Cry if you can. Sigh and

Positivity: Knowledge

We have the potential to absorb knowledge like a sponge. Human beings have a unique adaptability that no other creature in the animal kingdom shares. We can make our homes in any climate, any geography, anywhere we would choose. Knowledge is power. That statement has been used to frighten people for a long time now. The truth is, knowledge is not simply power – knowledge is life. There is always something new to explore, something new to be learned. The

#YesAllWomen

Consider, gentlemen, why you should not be offended. If, like me, you are a white male, you have a certain amount of privilege you likely do not even recognize, and totally take for granted. Sure, you may have something about you that garners ridicule, scorn and maybe teasing – but that is nothing compared to what most women face directly or indirectly regularly. Of course this is a generalization, but it is a VERY important generalization. Men are rarely subject

Pathwalking 126

There are many people who suffer from self esteem issues. It is surprising just how many people have poor self esteem. It is often masked in one of a myriad of ways, and so well hidden as to be unrecognizable. But a lack of self esteem can be soul crushing, and can easily derail you from any path you might choose. Before you can do anything for anyone, yourself included, you have to have self-respect. This is an aspect of

Positivity: Respect

There are many people deserving of respect. Status does not matter.  Social standing is unimportant.  It is actions that command respect.  Whether it is a trauma doctor saving a dying patient, a soldier defending her country, a teacher educating children or a plumber keeping your basement dry, the service they perform is deserving of respect. We have become somewhat jaded as a nation when it comes to this.  Discussions about bad pay and overpayment and benefits or a lack thereof

Pathwalking 125

Showing vulnerability is not weakness. Everybody is vulnerable.  It does not matter who you are, what you have gone through in this life, what experiences you have had.  Everybody has vulnerabilities. This is simply a part of human nature.  We all have something that makes us vulnerable, and it is something different for each and every one of us. What does vulnerable mean, anyhow?  Dictionary.com defines it as such: adjective 1.capable of or susceptible to being wounded or hurt, as by a weapon: a vulnerable part of the body. 2.open to moral attack, criticism, temptation, etc.: an argument vulnerable to refutation; He is vulnerable to bribery. 3. (of a place) open to assault; difficult to defend: a vulnerable bridge. Capable of being attacked

Positivity: Amongst Friends

There is nothing quite like time amongst friends. I got to spend a long weekend with some amazing friends.  There was tons of great conversation, inside jokes, laughter, and camaraderie.  I got to spend quality time with my chosen family, got to build better friendships with others, and even made several new friends along the way. There is nothing quite like friendship to generate positive energy.  I am always pleasantly surprised by how swiftly hanging out with friends makes me

Pathwalking 124

Sometimes you find you are traveling upon more than one path. I have stated multiple times that there are many paths to choose.  There is always an option, or a number of options before you in any given situation. While it is certainly easier if you can choose just one single path, often it is difficult to do so. What’s more, given our nature and diversity of personality, it is also difficult for any single path you have chosen to

Positivity: Well Done!

Well done! Two powerful words that can change a negative into a positive.  These two words can provide the compliment that tells you what you are doing or have done is appreciated, and that you have worth and value. Everybody wants to feel good about themselves.  As much as our emotions are wholly our own, and we ultimately decide how to feel, no matter the outside influence…we still crave the satisfaction, the validation for whatever thing it is we are

Pathwalking 123

Pathwalking can be as simple as 1-2-3. However, we have an amazing capacity for over-complicating our lives.  Every day need not be a struggle. Many of the things we find challenging are only a difficulty because we MAKE them difficult. We are all hard wired with this need to have a system of beliefs.  There are things we know, things we are absolutely certain of, and while some of these things are in fact solid and unchangeable, more than most