Category: grains of sand

If It Brings You Joy, Share It. Chances Are Whatever It Is Will Bring Others Joy Too

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One thing I love about social media is how easy it is to share things that make us feel good. Whether it’s a beautiful place you’ve visited, a recipe that turned out perfectly, a workout that really made a difference, a picture of an adorable animal that made you smile, or a funny video that had you laughing hysterically—sharing these moments spreads the joy.

I especially pay attention to the people I know personally, like family and friends. If there’s something you’ve done or tried recently that helped you or brought you happiness, let others know! We all want to feel good and do good. So we think, “If it worked for them, maybe it can work for me too.”Awhile back, one of my friends posted a quick Snap of a trainer she follows for at-home workouts. Thanks to her, I found this trainer, tried the workouts, and was sore for days! I wouldn’t have even known about her if my friend hadn’t shared it.

You don’t have to post it on social media if that’s not your thing—text it, email it, or bring it up at your next gathering. Whatever it is that made you feel good, know that by sharing it, you could be making someone else’s day a little brighter, too.

When we share what brings us joy, we’re doing more than just passing along a tip or a laugh; we’re inviting others to feel connected and experience that same uplifting spark. Sometimes, it’s the little things we share that end up being exactly what someone else needed to lift their spirits or inspire them in a new way. So don’t hold back—if something brings you joy, let it shine! By sharing, you’re spreading a little more light in the world.

The Power Of Words

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Many people are oblivious to the power of their words. I can almost guarantee there is something you have said to someone that they have never forgotten. Hopefully, it’s something positive, not something negative. Most often, we tend to remember the things that were said to us that hurt our feelings. I can definitely recall things that have hurt me, and I remember who said them too. I’m sure you can think of a thing or two as well—comments or remarks that have stuck with you for years. It’s crazy, right? One comment, maybe even offhand, and it becomes etched into memory.

This is one of the reasons why I love reading and why I enjoy blogging. Something I may write or say in a blog might resonate with someone, leaving a lasting, hopefully positive, impact. Words are powerful, whether spoken or read, and they shape us in ways we often don’t realize.

There’s a powerful Buddhist teaching that aligns beautifully with this idea: “Before you speak, let it pass through three gates. Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?” This is a practice worth practicing. If we make it a habit to pause and reflect on these three questions, we might spare others (and ourselves) unnecessary hurt and offer a little more kindness and truth.

Being mindful of our words takes patience, but even small efforts make a difference. When we speak with care and intention, we’re more likely to build others up rather than tear them down, even in the smallest exchanges. After all, in a world where words carry so much power, why not choose to leave behind words that heal, uplift, and inspire?

Embrace YOUR Experience

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I believe one of the reasons we are here is to help others. Helping someone can take countless forms, and one powerful way is through sharing our life experiences. When we go through something challenging, we gain knowledge and wisdom that can support someone else facing a similar path. This is true empathy.

Struggles and obstacles aren’t new—just look at history, which is full of heartache and resilience. Without hardships, we wouldn’t grow, learn, or be able to comfort one another. What you’re going through, others have also faced, and their stories can help you, just as yours can help them. We go through trials so that we can reach back and help others find their way.

We can’t do everything on our own. We need each other, and isn’t it a gift that we have one another for support? Embrace your experiences, knowing they are a bridge to connect, comfort, and uplift others.

Admit When You Are Wrong Or Misunderstood

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Have you ever noticed how defensive people become when they’re “wrong”? Why is it that some people struggle to own their mistakes or recognize their faults? Here’s some food for thought from @guywinch: “The answer is related to their ego, their very sense of self. Some people have such a fragile ego, such brittle self-esteem, such a weak psychological constitution, that admitting they made a mistake or that they were wrong is fundamentally too threatening for their egos to tolerate. Accepting they were wrong, absorbing that reality, would be so psychologically shattering that their defense mechanisms do something remarkable to avoid it—they literally distort their perception of reality to make it (reality) less threatening. Their defense mechanisms protect their fragile ego by changing the very facts in their mind, so they are no longer wrong or culpable.”

The irony is that our resistance to admitting mistakes actually holds us back from growth and authentic connection. When we can recognize our faults, apologize, and learn from them, we strengthen ourselves and our relationships. Humility isn’t a sign of weakness but of courage and resilience. We don’t have to see every mistake as a threat to our worth—instead, we can view it as a path to becoming wiser and more compassionate. Owning our actions, even the messy ones, frees us to live honestly, and that’s a strength everyone can admire.

Identify Your Potential

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Identifying your potential can be a journey of patience and discovery. What am I meant to do? Am I truly fulfilling my purpose? These questions can feel like having all the right ingredients but no specific recipe for you. The only way to find out is by experimenting—adding a little of this, a bit of that—through trial and error until you figure it out. And when you finally discover the “recipe,” there’s a sense of accomplishment, love, gratitude, and excitement that makes you want to share it with everyone.

Each of us has unique ingredients, our own strengths and passions, to help us become the best we can be. But the process takes patience; it requires a willingness to keep “mixing” even when it’s difficult to see the final outcome. Recipes can be complex, and some steps may seem intimidating, but that’s part of the journey. What we each carry—the potential within us—is uniquely ours. We can’t find our personal recipe by following someone else’s path; we have to look inward.

Today, take a moment to reflect. Write down what you genuinely enjoy, what takes most of your time, and what you feel may be holding you back. This small step can bring you closer to identifying your potential and give you a better understanding of your own ingredients. Remember, you’re creating something meaningful with each step, and it’s all part of the journey.

Avoid Fighting Fire With Fire

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When we choose to fight fire with fire, we both end up burnt. The depth of the burn varies, but what’s always left behind is a scar—something that doesn’t fade away. Most of the time, these scars stay unnoticed in the background. But every once in a while, they resurface—when we notice them ourselves, when someone else points them out, or when a memory brings them back. In that moment, we’re transported right back to the conflict, to the burn we thought we’d left behind.

These kinds of scars aren’t worth it. They’re the result of a choice to “get even” or “give a taste of their own medicine”—a choice to let anger fuel more anger. Every scar tells a story, but when you fight fire with fire, you may never know how deep the scar will go or what it might cost. Instead, consider letting peace, patience, or simply walking away be your response. Some battles aren’t worth the burns they leave behind.

Don’t Just Water Your Soul When You Begin To Wilt

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Just like a plant needs regular watering, so does our soul. Each plant has its own rhythm—some need water every day, others less often. When we keep up with its needs, we see it thrive. But if we forget, the plant will wilt, quietly signaling, “I need care.” If ignored long enough, it might wither completely.

Now think of the plant as your soul.

What’s the “water” for your soul? Are you nurturing yourself consistently, or only tending to your spirit when you’re already drained? Caring for yourself shouldn’t only happen when you feel like you’re wilting. Make soul care a priority, a habit. And remember, plants thrive in community—one wilting plant can affect the whole garden around it. Similarly, when we neglect ourselves, it impacts others too. Positive ripples start with self-care, but negative ripples spread when we overlook it. In caring for yourself, you’re caring for everyone connected to you. So water your soul often, and let yourself flourish.

You Can’t Please Everyone

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“

You’ll loose your mind trying to be for everyone. Your souls coated in honey. Some don’t like the taste of sugar and that’s fine.

“

billy chapata

We can’t please everyone, and that’s actually one of the beautiful parts of our existence. What we’re unable to give or fill for one person, someone else can. There’s someone and something for everyone. We never need to feel alone or diminished just because we don’t meet someone else’s expectations. What one person may not appreciate, someone else will absolutely love.

This quote is a reminder to stay true to ourselves and accept that we aren’t for everyone, and that’s okay. For each person who doesn’t resonate with us, there’s someone else who will. So let’s focus our energy on being who we truly are and find peace in knowing we’re exactly enough for the ones who matter.

We can relax into being ourselves, knowing we don’t need to force connections or try to satisfy everyone. Instead, we can find our own rhythm and let others find theirs. Trust that the right people—the ones who appreciate you as you are—will naturally be drawn to your unique “honey.”

Allow God To Catch You When You Fall

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When your child is just learning to stand or take those first wobbly steps, you’re always right there—either holding them or standing close by, ready to catch them if they stumble. As parents, we want to shield our children from pain and falls, so we stay close, providing security as they explore their newfound abilities. In this walk of life, we’re that child, and God is our loving, heavenly parent. Yet, just like little ones, we can be stubborn. We want to do it ourselves, to prove our strength and independence. And often, with this mentality, we fall, we get hurt, and we struggle through challenges alone. But God stands by patiently, waiting for us to call on Him, ready to help when we’re willing to ask.

It’s not that He hasn’t reached out to help us already; it’s that we often push Him away, thinking, “I can handle this myself.” So He watches, hoping we’ll one day welcome His guidance, because He knows that while life can be done alone, it doesn’t have to be a hard, lonely walk. God is always there, eager to catch us so we don’t grow weary from the falls. He wants us to find confidence, to walk and even run through life without fear. When we trust Him to catch us, we allow ourselves to take more risks, knowing there’s always a safety net waiting to support us.

I think of my own little one, crawling to the edge of the bed, knowing I’m right there to catch her. If she could talk, I imagine her saying, “Mom, I got this.” And while I’d give her space, I’d still be close, ready to protect her from any fall. If we trust God like that—like a child who knows they’re loved and watched over—we could face anything without fear. Letting Him catch us changes everything, allowing us to walk the path of life with courage, knowing we’re always in safe hands.

Each Day Is A Day Worth Celebrating

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From the moment we are born, the aging process begins. It’s a bit like a piece of fruit, picked from the tree. Once detached from its life source, the fruit starts to age. You can try to preserve it, slow it down, but the end result will be the same. Similarly, once we’re cut from the umbilical cord, we’re on our own journey.

I actually had this thought one day while washing dishes, just staring at our orange tree through the window. It hit me: we’re not all that different from a piece of fruit!

We age every day, knowing the final destination but often shying away from thinking about it. Instead, we distract ourselves, sometimes missing what it means to be truly alive.

But this knowledge is actually a gift. Knowing that life is finite is what gives each day its value. Rather than letting distractions or dark times pull us away from fully experiencing it, let’s see each day for what it is—an opportunity, a miracle in itself. Celebrate in some way, every day. Notice the small wonders around you. And by embracing this outlook, we can help others find the freedom to enjoy their lives too.