Lean into the pain This post is part four of the series Raw Nerve. When you first begin to exercise, it’s somewhat painful. Not wildly painful, like touching a hot stove, but enough that if your only goal was to avoid pain, you certainly would stop doing it. But if you keep exercising… well, it just keeps getting more painful. When you’re done, if you’ve really pushed yourself, you often feel exhausted and sore. If that was all that happened, you’d probably never do it. And knowing this makes all the difference. Few people realize it, but psychological pain works the same way. The problem is that the topics that are most painful also tend to be the topics that are most important for us: they’re the projects we most want to do, the relationships we care most about, the decisions that have the biggest consequences for our future, the most dangerous risks that we run. Ray Dalio writes: Yes it’s painful, but the trick is to make that mental shift. And I don’t think it’s limited to software. OK, take a break.
60 Reasons To Be Proud In 2012 Douglas LaBier: 5 Steps That Reveal Your Life's Purpose Like many of us, you might feel that there's a true purpose to your life but you haven't yet found or discovered it, especially when trapped within a life that's unfulfilling or feels out of synch with your true purpose for being. Teachings of Eastern mystics say each of us have a particular purpose in life, though we might not know how to recognize it. Interestingly, some new research suggests ways to discover and pursue your true purpose. Moreover, having a purpose in life is found to help you protect yourself from mental decline -- not a bad byproduct. Some are awakened to it from an event or moment of illumination that opens the way. "The fact that it was in a different place in the sky at night when I returned home from playing a gig ... Most of us, though, have to work at discovering our purpose. Here are five steps that can help activate your life's purpose: 1. The 12th-century Japanese poet Hakuin wrote, "Not knowing how near the truth is, we seek it far away." 2. 3. 4. 5.
14 Stories That Prove Animals Have Souls 50 Life Secrets and Tips Memorize something everyday.Not only will this leave your brain sharp and your memory functioning, you will also have a huge library of quotes to bust out at any moment. Poetry, sayings and philosophies are your best options.Constantly try to reduce your attachment to possessions.Those who are heavy-set with material desires will have a lot of trouble when their things are taken away from them or lost. Possessions do end up owning you, not the other way around. Become a person of minimal needs and you will be much more content.Develop an endless curiosity about this world.Become an explorer and view the world as your jungle. Stop and observe all of the little things as completely unique events. Try new things. Read “Zen and the Art of Happiness” by Chris Prentiss.This book will give you the knowledge and instruction to be happy at all times regardless of the circumstances.
No More Steubenvilles: How To Raise Boys to be Kind Men When Max was just a few months old, I sat cross-legged on the floor with him in a circle of other mothers. The facilitator for our “Mommy and Me” playgroup would throw a question out to the group, and we would each volley back an answer. “What quality do you want to instill in your child? What personality characteristic would you most like for your son to be known for?” she asked. One by one, the mothers answered. The answers blended together until it was my turn to speak. I want my son to grow up to be kind. The eyes of the other mothers turned toward me. Max is almost 4 years old. Sexual assault is about power and control. Teach your child to go toward a child who is upset, instead of walking away. Date rape is often saturated with entitlement. As a community we give our athletes free reign. We have created this. It is time. We must teach our boys to be kind. A toddler can learn how to use words of kindness. Teach your boys that bravery can be terrifying. It’s harder.
Creative Ideas & Inspiration Blog Life’s Instructions » Concepts, Ideas, Thoughts & Bullsh!t | Concepts, Ideas, Thoughts & Bullsh!t Thom Byxbe is Publisher and Editor of Concepts, Ideas, Thoughts & Bullsh!t He is based in Southwest Detroit, MI, and is a Knowledge Evangelist, Futurist, National Speaker, Author, Entrepreneur, Coach and Expert Blogger. Thom has been a respected author for over 15 years. He has written extensively on the Internet, Technology and Lifestyle topics. Concepts, Ideas, Thoughts & Bullsh! If you have suggestions, comments or would like to submit recommendations for articles to appear in Concepts, Ideas, Thoughts & Bullsh!
Empathy Recently, I read an article about the (ab)use of railways in the nazi genocide. Now, there is a lot to say about that, but I would like to focus on one specific half-sentence that spoke of the jews "...whose biographies didn't count in that murderous nazi system". I think that there is more wisdom in these few words than, probably, even their own writer was aware of. When we start to listen to what other people have to say about their own lives, this creates empathy. It does so automatically, perhaps by way of our mirror neurons firing away. Have you ever noticed how people will sometimes say, "I'm NOT AT ALL INTERESTED in your problems!" My guess is that, when we do that, we fight with all our power, in order to avoid that empathy. Now, I'm not saying that empathy with others is always, at any time, the best option. But empathy is what keeps us from becoming monsters, our fellow men's wolves, genocidal True Believers. And there is yet another good news: Empathy is like a muscle.
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business (3520700000553): Charles Duhigg 13 Item Hit List That Will Make A Successful Artist Success is each to his or her own, but let’s call it like we see it: when you survey the landscape of your creative world, your industry, your career or hobby–whatever field you’re in– there are several fundamentals to achieving success, regardless of the measure. There are commonalities that are undeniable. So here’s a list of thirteen such things that you should be doing right now – let’s call it your hit list: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Thanks. 30 Books I’m Glad I Read Before 30 In various ways, these 30 books convey some of the philosophy of how Angel and I live our lives. I honestly credit a fraction of who I am today to each title. Thus, they have indirectly influenced much of what I write about on this site. A medley of both fiction and nonfiction, these great reads challenged my internal status quo, opening my mind to new ideas and opportunities, and together they gave me a basic framework for living, loving, learning and working successfully. If you haven’t read these books yet, I highly recommend doing so. Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert – Gilbert, a Harvard professor of psychology has studied happiness for decades, and he shares scientific findings that just might change the way you look at the world. What are your favorite books? Photo by: Katie Harris
How To Get Focused — Get Focused in an Age of Distraction