Does Anything We Do Matter?

Yes. Everything you do matters. To and for you. The world is a crazy place. Here in the United States, the Presidential election is about to start. Caucuses, primaries, debates, and a whole host of lengthy, largely unpleasant bullshit will be dominating the news cycle over the coming months. Due to the probability of the GOP running a traitorous criminal as their candidate – and showing time and again that ethics matter way less than winning and having control –

Did You Know that You Are Worthwhile and Deserving?

Yes, you. The other day I felt particularly down. I was chewing on thoughts about recognition from others that hadn’t come, how few of my friends and family have bought my books, and how it often feels like nobody cares what I write and share here. My therapist was sick, my wife is going through enough of her own crap that she didn’t need mine on top of it. There is nobody among my friends I’m presently close enough to

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

Why Do I Keep Pushing Genuine, Non-Toxic Positivity?

Because the world needs more genuine positivity to combat the fear. Whether we like it or not, we live in a fear-based society. All around us are messages aimed to keep us afraid. Why? This might come across as cynical, but I can’t disprove it: Because capitalism demands sales. One of the best ways to get people to buy goods and services is via fear. Fear of lack, scarcity, and not getting what’s rightfully yours. A fear of the “other”,

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

Finding the Positivity In the Holidays

For all the good, many get overwhelmed by the not-so-good. For some, this is the best time of year. Starting with Halloween, then moving on to Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and then New Year’s Eve/Day, this is their favorite time of the year. However, that’s not so for everyone. Many people find this time of the year frustrating, a reminder of pain – whether physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, or all the above – and many other negatives. Also, the utter bombardment

Do You Know That You Are Capable of Truly Amazing Things?

Don’t sell yourself short. One of my favorite lines from the original Star Wars, though Han Solo said it at the time in extreme arrogance, in another context resonates with me. “Sometimes I even amaze myself.” Here’s the thing. Do you have even the slightest inkling of what you’re capable of? Beneath your conscious mind, but not entirely connected to your subconscious mind, you have truly incredible capabilities.   For some, this manifests in obvious ways. Such people are empaths,

Is There Anything You Can Do About That?

The answer can change your life in multiple ways. The world is at your fingertips. Whatever device you’re using to read these words gives you access to news and information, 24/7, worldwide. On the one hand, this is incredible. Only in the last two or three decades have we had the power to learn and know anything at all about any topic whatsoever. You name it, you can learn something about it. On the other hand, this is terrible. There

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,