Tag: inspire

Sometimes You Gotta Get Through Your Fear To See The Beauty On The Other Side

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This quote came from the movie, The Good Dinosaur. I was watching it with my children when I heard this line from the Father Dinosaur and I just thought, how profound!

Fear can feel like a towering wall, separating us from the joy, peace, or growth that lies on the other side. It whispers that we’re not strong enough, that we’ll fail, or that the unknown isn’t worth the risk. But the truth is, fear is often the guardian of the most beautiful experiences.

Think about the times you’ve been afraid—whether it was starting something new, facing an unexpected challenge, or stepping out of your comfort zone. Once you pushed through the fear, didn’t you find something valuable on the other side? Maybe it was a lesson, a deeper sense of self, or even a breathtaking moment you would have missed if you hadn’t been brave enough to try.

Fear isn’t the enemy; it’s a signal that you’re growing, stretching, and evolving. So the next time you’re faced with something scary, remember this: the beauty on the other side is worth it. Take a deep breath, gather your courage, and keep going. You’ll be amazed at what’s waiting for you when you push through.

The Future Is Uncertain

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The truth is, nobody knows the future. Life has a way of reminding us of this through unexpected twists and turns, cultivating surreal moments that catch us off guard.

But isn’t this exactly how we’d want it? Alan Watts once suggested that if we could dream any life we wanted, we’d start by fulfilling every desire and experiencing endless pleasure. Yet eventually, we’d crave surprise and risk. Finally, we’d choose the life we’re living now—filled with uncertainty and the thrill of the unknown.

Life is uncertain, and that’s its beauty. It invites us to appreciate each day as it comes, embracing what we don’t know with open hearts. So welcome every sunrise with gratitude and grace, and trust that the uncertainty of today holds the magic of possibility.

The Heart Of The Buddha

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“The Buddha offered this wonderful image. If you take a handful of salt and pour it into a small bowl of water, the water in the bowl will be too salty to drink. But if you pour the same amount of salt into a large river, people will still be able to drink the river’s water…….because of its immensity, the river has the capacity to receive and transform. The river doesn’t suffer at all because of a handful of salt. If your heart is small, one unjust word or act will make you suffer. But if your heart is large, if you have understanding and compassion, that word or deed will not have the power to make you suffer.” – The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching by @thichnhathanhsangha

This teaching reminds us that expanding our hearts, like widening a river, can help us navigate life with greater resilience. When our hearts are small, we feel every slight, and even small challenges can overwhelm us. But as we grow in compassion and understanding, we become capable of holding much more—our hearts become like that vast river. Life will always add “salt” in the form of difficulties or unkind words, but with a heart that’s expansive and compassionate, we can absorb these moments without letting them take away our peace. So let’s strive to cultivate a heart as open and vast as a river, one that can receive, transform, and keep flowing, no matter what comes its way.

A Lesson From A Tree

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We have this tree in our front yard. Originally, it was full of branches, lush with leaves, and provided such beautiful shade. Like all trees, it has its seasons, but we especially loved it in full bloom. It attracted so many birds and added so much life to our yard.

One day, we noticed a crack forming down the middle of the tree. We knew that, in time, it would eventually split. And sure enough, after some time, it did. The tree split all the way through, and my husband carefully cleaned up the fallen half. When I went outside and looked at what was left, I felt a pang of sadness. The tree wasn’t the same—it had lost a big part of itself that day, leaving our yard a bit bare. And yet, the tree remained standing.

I mourned what the tree had lost, but I also took a moment to celebrate all the beauty and shade it had provided over the years.

As much as we’d like to prevent these “splits” from happening, we unfortunately can’t. This is life, and it comes with aches and pains. But if a tree can remain standing after a huge loss and still continue to grow, withstanding both sunshine and storms, then it’s possible that we can, too. Remember—the tree is still standing.

We are like this tree. When we lose a part of ourselves, it’s natural to mourn. But it’s also an opportunity to celebrate—to honor the strength it took to remain standing and to hold hope for new growth. The parts we’ve lost have served us well. They’ve contributed to our growth and shaped who we are, and that’s something to remember with gratitude.

A Good Cry Never Hurt Anyone

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Being a mother, you cry a lot. Or at least, this mother does. But you don’t have to be a parent to connect with this post—we all have those days when we’re trying our best, pushing through the challenges, reaching our breaking points, letting out a cry, dusting ourselves off, and then starting again. Life can be exhausting, and sometimes it feels like there’s no end to the cycle.

I want everyone to know that it’s OKAY to cry. Anyone who’s feeling burnt out, hurt, or frustrated…sometimes, you just need a good cry to release everything you’ve been holding inside. Each of us carries an invisible weight, and when that weight goes unrecognized, it can feel overwhelming. We all go through so much, and sometimes it feels like no one truly sees it.

Well, I SEE YOU. I know that you reading this do so much, or maybe you’ve been through a lot. I may not know all the details, but if you’re human, I know you’ve had your share of struggles. And I notice it. I want you to know that even if it feels hard, even if no one seems to understand, you’re showing up every day, and that’s incredible.

So let yourself cry if you need to—it’s a release, a reset. You’re not alone with the weight on your shoulders or the silent struggles. You’re a rockstar, and you’re stronger than you realize. Believe me.

And remember, those tears you shed are a part of the journey, softening and strengthening you all at once. They’re a sign of the love, effort, and resilience that you pour into life each day. So, let yourself feel, let yourself release, and trust that, each time you do, you’re creating space for even more strength and courage to rise within you.

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.