How to use your* prostitute. (*yes, you have one regardless of your sex)
June 1, 2010 | Filed Under Challenge, Consider this, Pay attention | 8 Comments
I’m different. I’ve always been different, always felt different, but didn’t always have peace with it. Sometimes I fought it, bumped heads with others because of it, and even embraced it. It’s a sordid past I share with it. As I matured, though, I began to appreciate the fact that I was different. I eventually found it odd that most of us spend so much of our youth trying to fit in before usually spending the rest of our lives trying to distinguish ourselves. After all, aren’t we all different?
My official occupation for the past five years should read “nomad”. I’ve lived in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Antonio, St. Louis, and even in an L.A. suburb. Right now, I’m on my way to South Korea. Each line of my resume places me in a different state and/or in a different industry so it’s quite likely that most companies seeking a long-term employee will immediately discard it upon review despite my qualifications; it doesn’t exactly scream company loyalty. Here’s the thing: I’m okay with that. Why? Because I’m different. That fact is evidenced not just by my thought process, hairstyle, interests or style of dress; my journey and choices are highly reflective of my individuality. My path hasn’t always been easy or glamorous, but it has been true to my essence as a free spirit.
Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, here’s a little something else: you’re different, too. You have dreams you haven’t followed, thoughts you haven’t shared, passions you haven’t explored. In short, you have a life you haven’t lived.
Seeking the shadow
April 30, 2010 | Filed Under Challenge, Learn something, Read this, Rewritable words | 1 Comment
“I looked, and looked, and this I came to see: that what I thought was you and you was really me and me.”
- Unknown
In light of Wednesday’s question, the concept of the shadow has reigned heavy on my mind. So far, it’s had a mildly profound effect on me. As I learn more about it and truly begin the process of self-integration, I’m anticipating benefits of even greater profundity.
For the benefit of helping others in this process of self-development, I’m including some links on the shadow so we can learn together, if you’re so inclined.
CHALLENGE: what’s behind the light?
April 28, 2010 | Filed Under Challenge, Consider this, Rewritable words | 1 Comment
The seed of darkness is in the light; the seed of light is in the darkness.
Please consider the following: do you need to see the worst of yourself in order to be the best of yourself?
Value: Look Deeper
April 26, 2010 | Filed Under Challenge, Inspiring, Pay attention, Rewritable words | 4 Comments
by Khalilah Yasmin
I woke up today and remembered a dream that I have frequently. I dream about someone that mattered to me and was taken from me. And that dream got me to thinking about ‘value’. As I look around me and the world we live in, a lot of our values are distorted.
The way in which we judge our significant others, our friends, and the people we choose to entertain, is taken very lightly. It saddens me. While it is not uncommon anymore to see a woman with a man just for his finances, what about when they run out? The same can be said about a man for a woman. Many people place value on things that are not constant and everlasting. I’m not about to give you the paddy cake riddle that ‘It’s what’s on the inside that counts’.
Allow me to go deeper.
The power is within you
April 21, 2010 | Filed Under Challenge, Inspiring, Listen, Rewritable words, What My World Sounds Like | Leave a Comment
For the first time in my adult life, I’m truly listening to and understanding the lyrics to Whitney Houston’s “The Greatest Love of All”. Yo…this song is seriously amazing. It contains such an important message.
Brief reminder
April 6, 2010 | Filed Under Challenge, Moment of Truth, Random | Leave a Comment
30-day fitness challenge
March 19, 2010 | Filed Under Challenge, Health | 2 Comments
As summer was ending last year, I was in the best shape of my life. My stamina was high, I was flexible, I felt great. Then I moved and my routine didn’t just change–it flat-lined. I’ve been exercising here and there but not as often as I like to. For me working out is so really enjoyable…when you’re already fit. :-/ There’s such a difference between pushing yourself harder and just trying to keep pace.
I attempted suicides with my fifteen year old brother today. We were supposed to do two rounds. He quit before the first ended and I stopped after completing the first. The verdict: I need to get back in shape.
Am I alone?
Didn’t think so. I’m proposing a thirty day do-something-everyday fitness challenge to help everyone who’s fallen off get back on course. By the end of 30 days, that “I have to move” feeling should be well and active. Sometimes, we all need a little accountability, so if you’d like to join me, let me know. Shoot me a message here letting me know what you’re committing to. Me? Forty-five minutes of daily activity. You don’t necessarily need a gym or equipment., although it’s helpful. Â It’s almost spring, the weather’s not so bad, and there’s always lots you can do indoors.
I’m starting Sunday, the 21st (equinox!). Perhaps you’ll join me. 
What’s your Soul’s Reflection?
February 22, 2010 | Filed Under Challenge, Consider this, Inspiring, Moment of Truth, Pay attention, monday motivation | 1 Comment
by Jessica Mann
I just thought about the concept, what if there were no mirrors? No reflections. No cameras to take pictures.
If we walked around, never knowing how we “looked,†would there be such an emphasis on the physical? On the material?
Would we be more inclined to work on enhancing our inner selves versus our outer shells?
Would how a person looks even matter, or would that concept be so trivial and unevolved? In this time, this reality of ours, as a collective, we spend most of our time –days and nights– focusing on enhancing everything on the outside, and barely any significant time on what’s inside…that which, from a universal perspective, in an ethereal sense, is what really has any relevance.
Mastering love
January 22, 2010 | Filed Under Challenge, Consider this, Moment of Truth | 1 Comment
I’ve spent the last few months contemplating love, dysfunction and the relationship between the two. Does the absence of love breed dysfunction? That question leads to several other questions, such as “what is love?” It’s an age-old question that I’m not equipped to answer with absolute certainty at this point (maybe another post), but I know that the two don’t comfortably co-exist, and yet so many operate in a constant state of dysfunction but try to invite love in and see no positive results. It’s both amazing and amazingly sad.
After a failed romantic endeavor, I spent months beating myself up about my ineptitudes, which–aha!–didn’t improve anything. Once I got over myself and was able to sift through all the many lessons, I found this:
- How you love yourself is how you’ll love others.
- Being able to love others only truly happens when you love yourself.
- You learn love from your parents.
- You also learn dysfunction from your parents.
- At some point, you’ll have to sort out your mess from your parents mess and make new agreements with yourself about what you believe to be true.
Great words…
January 6, 2010 | Filed Under Challenge, Rewritable words | 1 Comment
not to shrink into a grain of sand.
Henceforth will I apply ALL my efforts to become the highest mountain of all
and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy.”
- Og Mandino
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