Tag: insight

If You Never Fail, You Never Grow

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I recently started reading Different Kinds of Minds by Temple Grandin. It’s incredibly insightful and thought-provoking. In one part of the book, she shared a fascinating rat study. Researchers found that rats who had to dig up their treats became far more resilient when faced with challenges compared to rats who were simply handed their treats.

The rats who didn’t have to work for their reward gave up more easily when obstacles appeared.

What an eye-opening observation!

This speaks to a universal truth: challenges and failures aren’t bad things—they’re vital. They build strength, resilience, and perseverance. Struggle teaches us to appreciate the rewards of our effort.

The hard work, the setbacks, and even the failures are what shape us. They’re the chisels that carve out our character and growth.

So remember, with growth comes failure—and that’s how it’s meant to be. Failure isn’t the end. It’s a stepping stone to something greater.

Invisible Hands Everywhere

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Everything has roots—everything.

Think about a tree for a moment. You see its sturdy trunk, sprawling branches, and vibrant leaves. But the roots? Hidden beneath the surface, they work tirelessly, anchoring and feeding the tree. The meals we eat every day are no different—each one has roots, invisible yet essential.

Take your next meal, for example—perhaps eggs and toast. At first glance, it’s just breakfast. But look closer. Behind that plate lies a network of effort and care. The farmers who gathered the eggs, the workers who milled the grains, the drivers who transported the ingredients, the cashiers who stocked the shelves—all of them played a role in bringing it to your table.

We often think of eating as a solitary act, but it’s anything but. Every bite connects us to countless others.

One morning, as I sat down to eat, this thought hit me. My meal, as simple as it was, had been touched by so many hands. People I’d never met had spent their time and energy to make it possible. I couldn’t help but feel grateful. The awareness of those invisible hands changed my perspective.

We live in a world where convenience often overshadows connection. Food appears so effortlessly that it’s easy to forget the work behind it. But when you take the time to see the roots—the people, the processes, the labor—it deepens your appreciation.

Every hand belongs to someone with their own struggles, joys, and dreams. Thinking about this transforms an ordinary act into a moment of connection and gratitude.

The next time you eat, pause for a moment. Consider the roots of your meal. Think about the farmers, the drivers, the stockers, and everyone in between. When you acknowledge these invisible hands, even a simple meal becomes extraordinary.

This mindfulness reminds us that we’re never truly alone. Behind every bite is a story of shared humanity, and with it, a reason to be thankful.

Protect Their Light: A Call to Kindness for Children

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Not even children get a free pass when it comes to “life.” There are so many children out there who have had to grow up far too soon, and it’s truly heartbreaking.

Too often, we overlook children and assume they don’t have life experience, but believe me when I tell you there are children who have been through more than many adults.

Life is not fair, this we know. But it’s especially unfair to children. They deserve so much more than what life often hands them.

Never look down on them. Be there for them. Help them navigate their pain. Not all children have the right words yet for what they feel. Sometimes they don’t need your advice, they just need you to listen. Offer your hand of guidance. Let them know they are not alone.

There is so much we can learn from children. They have a unique way of seeing the world, and their resilience is nothing short of remarkable. And though life is what it is, we have to try to protect them. We have to try to preserve their innocence as long as we can.

Children deserve the chance to stay children. They deserve to dream, to feel safe, and to be surrounded by love. When we protect their light, we allow them to shine in ways that make this world a better place.

When we show them love and understanding, we’re not only shaping their future but also shaping a kinder world for all of us.

Be The Person You Want To Have In Your Life

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“Would you like you, if you met you?”

Well, would you?

It’s important to pause and reflect on this from time to time. Self-evaluation is necessary, and it’s not just about the big things, it’s about everything. Your interactions, your responses, your reactions, your actions, and your words.

What kind of person do you want in your life? The good news is that you can be that person. You can choose to embody the traits you admire, the support you need, and the love you want to receive.

You can even become the person you wished you’d had in your life but didn’t.

When there’s no sunshine, you can choose to be the sunshine.

Of course, you’re still going to fall. You’re going to make mistakes. But the key is to own those mistakes, admit them, and learn from them. Nobody expects perfection because perfection isn’t human. What matters is that you’re trying your best.

Strive to be that amazing version of yourself, not just for you but for the people around you. Whether you realize it or not, there are people watching you, looking to you, and depending on you.

Be the best example you can be. And when you stumble, admit it. Swallow your pride and push forward. Accepting yourself, is accepting others.

This life isn’t meant to be navigated alone. We’re in it together. There will always be challenges and hardships, but don’t let the weight of the world harden you. Choose joy. Be the hope. And most of all, be the kind of person you’d want to meet.

Even Pricks Can Bloom

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Living in Arizona, it’s impossible to ignore the cacti. Covered in spines, they seem like nature’s way of saying, “Keep your distance.” One wrong step or touch, and you’re left with a sharp reminder of their defenses.

But then spring arrives, and something remarkable happens. These same prickly plants burst into bloom, producing flowers so vibrant and delicate they draw hummingbirds and bees. The transformation is stunning, but fleeting—many blooms last only a short time. Their beauty, though brief, reminds us to savor life’s unexpected moments.

As I admired these cactus flowers one day, a humorous thought popped into my mind: “Even a prick can bloom.”

It’s funny, but also deeply true. Some people, like cacti, can be harsh and sharp. They may come across as difficult or unkind, seemingly existing only to push others away. But just like the cactus in winter, these people might be in a season where their beauty and potential aren’t visible yet.

In life, we often encounter “pricks.” They might frustrate or hurt us, but if we look closer—or simply wait—we might see a different side to them. People, like cacti, have their seasons. Winter is a time of dormancy, where growth happens beneath the surface. Spring, however, is when that growth bursts forth, revealing something beautiful.

The lesson? Try not to judge someone solely by the season you meet them in. The person who seems harsh today might surprise you with their ability to bloom when the time is right.

A cactus doesn’t bloom all year, and neither do we. But when the right season comes, even the most prickly among us can grow into something beautiful. So the next time you encounter someone sharp or difficult, remind yourself of this:

Even pricks can bloom.

Riding the Wind, Swimming the Current

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There’s a series I once watched called The Story of God with Morgan Freeman, and there was a quote that stayed with me:

“Birds don’t fly; they ride the wind. Fish don’t swim; they are carried by the water.”

This view is as much about perspective as it is about surrender. It’s poetic, beautiful, and invites reflection.

Have you ever been in a river? The current flows in one direction, and if you try to fight it—swimming upstream—you’ll exhaust yourself and get nowhere. There are moments in life that feel just like this, aren’t there? Times when we push against the current, believing we can change its course, only to find that some things are immovable forces.

The truth is, life has many rivers. Some are worth navigating and working with, while others require us to simply let go. Surrendering isn’t giving up; it’s recognizing when resistance is only causing unnecessary suffering. But how do we know the difference? How do we identify what is a “river” in our lives—the things we cannot control? That’s the hard part.

It takes time, self-awareness, and a willingness to step back from our struggles to see the bigger picture. Sometimes we need to ask ourselves: Am I exhausting myself trying to fight something that just is? And if so, what could happen if I surrendered, trusting the current to carry me?

When I think about the quote, I wonder: do birds actually fly? Do fish truly swim? Or have they simply surrendered to what they are—to their nature—and found harmony within it?

What if we did the same? What if we embraced our own nature, allowing life’s wind and water to guide us instead of resisting them? What if we trusted the flow?

By shifting our perspective, we begin to see the beauty of surrender—not as a defeat, but as an act of profound wisdom. We let go of the need to control and, in doing so, free ourselves to move more fluidly with life.

After all, some of life’s greatest joys aren’t found by fighting the current but by letting it take us somewhere new.

Develop Friendships With Those Who Believe Differently

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We often become upset with those who don’t share our beliefs. But each of us is on a unique path, shaped by different experiences that give us our own views of the world.

Instead of pushing away those who see things differently, try befriending them. Talk to them, learn their story, and listen to why they believe what they do. When we open ourselves to different perspectives, we may even begin to see the world with more compassion and understanding.

I believe everything is connected in some way, and there’s something valuable to learn from every perspective. The beauty of having friends with different beliefs is that it challenges us. And sometimes, when our beliefs are tested, we become even stronger in what we stand for. It deepens our understanding and strengthens our spirit.

Seek out those who bring new light and layers to what you thought you knew. Let each new connection add depth to your world, knowing that every encounter holds a gift, if we’re open enough to receive it.