But the truth is, my parents didn’t have some strategic plan for getting the family together each evening for a meal. We were all home anyway and didn’t have the money to eat out. There was no ulterior motive or hidden benefit they knew about.

Think about the last time you did something really dumb. I mean, really dumb. Why did you do it? When I was in fifth grade, I was obsessed with lighters.

Are you a windows down or a windows up kind of person? Music on or off? Do you chat with the other individuals in the car, or do you prefer to keep mostly to yourself with books and earbuds?

I didn't know it then, but we loved our bikes so much because of the freedom they gave us. The wind in your face, going as fast as you can, exploring new places--made us feel invincible. What kid doesn’t want freedom and to feel invincible?

We can’t let fear decide our goals and dreams. We can’t let fear control the decisions we make. Fear is designed to keep us alive in a fight or flight moment, not as a governing principle for a lifetime. 

Think about it though. The things that have been the biggest blessing, reaped the most benefits, or taught you the most have also been things that took a long time. That friend you’ve had for 3 years now?

Yet despite the incredible connectivity across the world, people feel more lonely and more isolated than ever. Rather than meet our neighbors across the street, we sit alone and meet neighbors around the globe. It’s easier to scroll through social media

We exist, but we don’t really LIVE. - We Work the same job. Microwave the same meal. Sit in the same chair. Click through the same channels. Stare at phones.

Do you find yourself constantly saying, “I’ll do it later?” If not to other people, how often do you say it to yourself?

Mindfulness is not something that is going to take up 30-60 minutes of your day (unless you want it to). Mindfulness looks like 5 minutes here, 10 minutes there, etc.

As I watched the various performances that night, I found joy in the wide variety of body types, ages, and abilities present in the dancers. One young man was wheeled onto the stage in a wheelchair and assisted in a dance by others who moved him about the stage as part of the choreography. I left the event feeling light and refreshed. It reminded me that perfection is never a necessary ingredient when it comes to dance. Anyone can dance. They really can.

You might not like coffee, but you drink tea, or soda, or energy drinks. We all consume caffeine pretty regularly, so let’s talk about what it does to our brains - the good and the ugly.

So why am I talking about this? And what is a rift? A rift is a crack, break, etc. in something. I call this time in our relationship a rift because that’s exactly what it was. Something fell from the sky, made a crack, and wedged itself in.

Your brain will grab hold of that memory and give it the power to interpret future interactions and relationships. For example, suppose another person hurts you by continually lying to you. In that case, you could find it difficult to fully trust or believe anyone. 

History is full of people who tried something, found it didn’t work, and then went on to find success and meaningful work in a totally different field (Ruggeri, 2017).

Here’s a few signs that it may be time for you to consider quitting something (Pinola, 2012).

Have you ever been given something of incredible value that you could have invested in but failed to do so? Did the fear of failure paralyze you into complacency? Just being lazy? Why ruin a good thing? At one time or another and in one way or another, we all do this with money and possessions. But did you know that we also are guilty of doing the same thing with the skills and talents we have been given? 

Did you know that ⅓ of U.S. adults take DAILY naps? And that men are more fond of naps than women typically (Mayo Clinic, 2020)? There are several benefits to taking a nap. This can include using them as a way to relax, reduce fatigue (of course), improve mood, and increase alertness.

This routine created an unhealthy balance in my life. I worked and worked and worked. And then just stopped. Sleep and repeat. Day after day. I didn’t make time for any play. Nothing fun. No hobbies. No unscheduled shenanigans. I may have felt like I was getting enough rest because I was getting a good amount of sleep, but I was still very much off balance. 

I’m also not talking about the kind of breaks that involve eating a sugary snack or looking at Instagram or Facebook. A break that is going to help is completely shifting your focus from the subject you’re working on. This break should also involve something that will bring positive emotions.