Tag Archives: life

LIFE: The Fine Print

Whether we realize it or not, during every waking moment, our lives are being created through our moment to moment experiences. We either create our lives through intentional activity and conscious experience, or we float along with low levels of awareness as passive recipients of happenstance.

I often use the metaphor, “sleepwalking through life.” Scientifically, sleepwalking refers to the performance of normal activities while barely awake in a state of low consciousness. Sleepwalking through life, therefore, refers to the state of unconsciousness living – unconscious consumption of environmental stimuli, underdeveloped awareness of our environments, and overall disconnection from a sense of purpose.

We create all of our goals and decisions within the present. Therefore, our future strivings and outcomes are based on the experiences and directions of the present. It is sort of like the butterfly effect; each flap of our wings sets other phenomena into motion which largely affects all future outcomes. This means that goals and decisions require present-mindedness because it is the only place where decisions can take place – we can’t go back to the past, and the future, without a doubt, is dependent upon the present.

Though it is impossible to fully control what we experience, being present and aware allows us to be active participants – aware of our options, able to make decisions, and consciously engaged in the sensations and experiences of our activities. In a nutshell, present-minded awareness allows us to experience our experiences. Furthermore, it allows us to experience life rather than be subjected to it.

Most people find comfort in the idea of having a sense of control over the direction of their lives. Intuitively, we understand that we cannot truly control every aspect of our lives. However, conscious living allows us to be more aware of our selves, purpose, and environments and, therefore, more able to embrace and respond effectively to our evolving experiences. Otherwise, how can we make appropriate adjustments toward our goals if we are not even aware of changes in the environment, or that our attention is being diverted from our purpose?

“When we are present in each moment,
the past gently rolls up behind us
and the future slowly unravels before us.”
~Rev. Richard Levy~

Since we are essentially creating our histories, as well as our paths to the future, it stands to reason that the way we experience the present directly determines our happiness and success outcomes. So if we think of life, not as game, but as a path being laid with both minor and major destinations (goals), it may be helpful to remember that success rarely occurs by accident . . . to create the life that we desire, it requires awareness and intention, which means that we actually have to be present and engaged.

Winning in life does not refer to an ultimate prize or defeating others. It simply means that we are able to remain focused and aware toward the end of accomplishing our goals, unshaken by the inevitable twists and turns of life. To be thrown off track (or to not even have a track) due to lack of awareness and intention, is not necessarily a loss (I don’t see anyone as a loser), but it definitely makes it hard to succeed.

Of course, there is no hard and fast rulebook for life. However, if one existed, I believe it would be approximately the size of a small pamphlet. Because, as much as we try to complicate life with deeply elaborate thinking, I actually believe the most important universal rules are very simple: take care of ourselves, be kind to others, what goes around comes around, have respect for the environment . . . and probably a few more. And then in fine print there will be one simple line with an asterisk that says:

*To build the life you desire, you must be PRESENT to win.

Where would you rate your level of awareness on a scale of “sleepwalker” versus “fully present?” How do you think your level of awareness affects your ability to accomplish life goals?

FIND (AND LISTEN TO) YOUR OWN VOICE

“When you lose touch with your inner stillness,
you lose touch with yourself.
When you lose touch with yourself,
you lose yourself in the world”
~Eckhart Tolle~

Many of us reach a point where we realize that our lives have gone off track. It’s as if we wake up one day and suddenly realize that we’ve simply been swept along by the tides of life in uncharted directions. Why does this happen?

Well, the truth is that life entails momentum, and it is easy to become caught up in it. Once we realize that we’ve become lost in that momentum, we often begin to seek ways to return to ourselves. Thus, it is not uncommon to understand the concepts of “losing ourselves” and “finding ourselves.”

Finding or returning to ourselves is the process of examining and coming to understand who we are. This type of exploration helps us to acknowledge our authentic values, desires, motivations, strengths, and weaknesses so that we may assert ourselves in healthy ways, and design our lives around authentically fulfilling endeavors. Often, people who suddenly change careers are doing just that. A wonderful example of this is seen the following video short, which interviews a man who left a career in medicine to start a bakery – clearly a decision to follow his passion.

Finding ourselves is not always an easy task because the momentum of life can be likened to background noise, which makes it hard for us to hear our own voices. At times, the noise can become so loud that our own voices are drowned out altogether.

In the design of our lives, we often face pressures from the expectations of others, which can become the loudest noise of all. There is nothing wrong with being offered advice and guidance, or working with others in the spirit of cooperation. However, it is important not to allow the expectations of others to overshadow your sense of self.

Therefore, I think the first step toward finding ourselves is to listen for our own voice. In many ways, we have to stop caring about what other people think of us, and allow our own voices to take center stage. This becomes especially important when we embark on an endeavor to make radical changes in our lives.

There may be others who are close to us who are not ready to accept the changes we wish to make simply because it challenges the identity they have created for us, creates insecurity about the role they play in our lives, and can also challenge them to take a hard look at their own lives (which often conjures fears and insecurities).

When we face opposition, we have to allow our own voice to maintain a position of prominence. In fact, we should embrace the responsibility of being an advocate for our own needs. Moreover, we should not feel guilt for expressing our true selves. The truth is that each of us is responsible for our own distress. If expressing our desire to evolve in a self-directed manner creates distress for others, it is not our responsibility to shrink ourselves to fit the comfort levels of others.

Within our own voice is often the key to our own flourishing. Flourishing, a key concept in the field of positive psychology, is associated with living a meaningful and fulfilled life by developing our potential, and using that potential to pursue goals that fulfill the needs of our individual natures.

Obviously, your nature is uniquely our own, and it follows that the needs of your nature cannot be defined by anyone but YOU. If our voices could be likened to an internal GPS, ignoring our own voice is roughly equivalent to ignoring the internal guidance system, and instead preferring to accept direction from others who have no idea of where we wish to go.

Finding our own voice is an integral part of finding and understanding ourselves because it brings our motivations to the surface. Personal change is rooted in the ability to understand those motivations. Change occurs when our personal motivations become strong enough to give impetus to a changed behavior or course. Therefore, if we cannot hear ourselves – or worse, refuse to listen – change is virtually impossible.

The lesson here is to become more mindfully aware of who we are and to find the courage to express the inner selves that we “discover.” Our inner voice is always there, whether we can hear it or not. Our task is to block out the background noise, and bring our minds to the center of ourselves so that we can more effectively hear it.

THE VOICE

There is a voice inside of you
That whispers all day long,
“I feel this is right for me,
I know that this is wrong.”
No teacher, preacher, parent, friend
Or wise man can decide
What’s right for you–just listen to
The voice that speaks inside.

~Shel Silverstein~

Are you in touch with your inner voice? What is it telling you? Do you find it hard to express your needs and desires to others?

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THE PRESENT MOMENT

[Image via aslis.com]

During a recent conversation with a friend, I was sharing some of my future plans. I have a habit of “thinking out loud” while my mind is in the process of working something through, and it wasn’t long before I was focusing on the challenges more so than the actual goals. My friend finally interrupted, stating that I was stressing myself by worrying about the future. I denied that I was worrying, and he firmly responded, “Yes, you are.” He then reminded me of the following quote:

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” Siddhārtha Gautama (Buddha)

Of course, I am very familiar with this quote; my friend was reminding me to focus on living “in the present.” But I never really accepted this as something realistic for my own life because I am an extremely goal-oriented person. If left to my own devices, I would create a flow chart and spreadsheet for every aspect of my life, with my focus always being in the future — so, present-mindedness was not an easy concept for me to grasp.

I read and study a lot. But, as I stated in an earlier entry, Celebrate Independence, I really don’t accept anything as true without discerning for myself whether it actually makes sense. So, when my friend mentioned the concept of present-mindedness, I realized that he was the THIRD person to bring this to my attention. So, I started thinking about what it actually means to “be in the present.”

What does it mean?

On the surface, it means being mindful of the present moment – not ruminating over the past, nor worrying about the future. It means enjoying life as it exists in this moment, and not as we wish it could, should, or would be. Okay, I understood this, especially about not focusing on the past; you cannot change what has already happened. But considering the fable, “The Ant and the Grasshopper,” I am definitely an ant, and ants are always working for the future.

It wasn’t until several days later when I was discussing training for a mountain trek, that I had an “A-ha moment” which crystallized my understanding of present-mindedness. I was explaining that I really wanted to get serious about doing longer local hikes to prepare myself for climbing. Someone raised the concern that many people don’t complete the climb due to altitude sickness, and they would hate to go so far only to FAIL in the end.

I responded that I really didn’t look at it that way, and whether or not I reached the summit, I would enjoy the climb itself, being able to experience nature of a new environment, enjoy the challenge, and learn more about myself (insert “A-ha moment” here). I had unintentionally explained what it means to be in the present.

Yes, the goal is to reach the top. However, if our only concern is to reach the top (future event), and we focus only on the obstacles that may or may not be present, we create a sense of anxiety regarding our ability to reach it. Similarly, if we ruminate over an incident that occurred prior to starting the ascent (past event), then we create a degree of distraction from the present activity of the actual climb.

I enjoy hiking. I never go on a hike with only the end in mind. I enjoy taking in the entire experience of it – nature, wildlife, openness of the outdoors, novelty, etc. I don’t really focus on reaching the end of the trail, nor do I focus on anything that happened prior to arriving at the trail. I’m simply excited about being ON the trail.

Enjoying the climb/trail represents the concept of present-mindedness. If we are past or future thinking, it means we are ALWAYS somewhere else, not able to enjoy the present moments of life. We are either stuck in the past, or worrying about the future. Past/future thinking also means that happiness is connected with a time OTHER THAN the present; it is either controlled by the past (I could have been happy IF . . .), or is pushed to some future time (once I finish school, retire, etc.).

Does this means that we should not plan or have goals? Of course, it doesn’t. Being “goal-oriented” is not necessarily synonymous with being “future-minded.” While we are taking steps to attain a goal, it is important to intentionally give attention to what is happening in the present moment. It means being aware of every moment AS WE EXPERIENCE IT, accepting what is happening today as being most important, not what may or may not happen in the future.

Why is this important?

The past, present and future are all connected through present moments. The past was at one time a present moment, and our future will become a present moment at some point. Hence, life consists of living in a series of present moments. Though we should acknowledge the past and future, we cannot dwell in either; the past has passed, and the future has not yet occurred.

I find it enlightening to contemplate the idea that our control over the past and future lies within the present. The present moment is where all of our decisions are made, so it is important to always be present-minded. During the activity of life, we are creating present moments that will ultimately influence the future. Additionally, the present moment will essentially become the past; therefore the control of our “future past” is also in the present moment.

My conclusion . . .

Living in the present means accepting life as it is NOW and, most importantly, it is about not letting our lives go by without truly living it. Happiness occurs in the present, which will become the happy past, and will essentially affect our future happiness.

Regarding goals, it means looking back on the effort and being able to say, “Wow, I really enjoyed that!”

And regarding life, living in the present pertains to the ongoing events of living. In other words, in contemplating the journey of living, it is knowing this: “It is better to travel well than to arrive.” Siddhārtha Gautama (Buddha)

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ROADBLOCKS: 5 Ways to Deal With Them

Plans, goals and objectives – those are the words that come to mind when thinking about the activity of planning: mapping a route to a predetermined destination. Usually, we specify a goal, and then list the specific tasks needed to carry it out. We follow the plan step by step, ticking off each task until we finally reach our goal. But what happens when you reach an obstacle that has the potential to derail the entire trip?

We all experience roadblocks in our lives. Even with the best laid plans, you can’t always divine a roadblock that lies ahead. Although you can plan for contingencies, you can’t anticipate them all due to an infinite set of variables that come into play when attempting to accomplish a goal. We have to accept that some roadblocks cannot be accounted for on paper; sometimes it is in the act of DOING that you actually come upon them.

We, as humans, are very resilient, and are endowed with problem-solving abilities that are unique to our species, which includes the ability to consider alternative courses of action. How well we handle roadblocks will determine to what extent we are able to evolve. Those who master this ability will go on to accomplish great things. And those who don’t will stagnate.

How can we strengthen our ability to handle roadblocks? There are 5 things that have helped (and continue to help) me to stay on track when presented with a roadblock:

  1. Reframe the situation. As mentioned in a previous entry, Changing the Frame, you can change your mind-set by changing the way you view the situation; strive to see the roadblock from another point of view. Instead of seeing it as a blocked roadway (negative), you could think of it as an opportunity to discover a new route (positive).

  2. Recognize opportunity. A “ROAD CLOSED“ sign is usually accompanied by a “DETOUR” sign, which is not the same as a “STOP” sign. It simply means that you must take an alternate route. You may find that you have to think harder, become more creative, or take more time to reach your destination. However, our brains are designed to work in a “use-it-or-lose-it” fashion, so embrace the opportunity to use it! New opportunities lead to growth, and growth leads to strength and resilience.

  3. Don’t be afraid to ask for directions. In the same way that you would consult your GPS system, seek to engage others. Sometimes when we are hyper-focused on a goal, we develop myopic thinking, which can hamper our ability to see the big picture. Opening yourself to suggestions from others can help to expand your options. It is especially helpful to consult people outside of your normal social circle because if you limit your conversations to people who share the same perspective as you, you may not receive any ideas that differ from your own.

  4. Be flexible. Don’t lose sight of your objective, which is simply to accomplish your goal. It really doesn’t matter which road gets you there, so don’t confine yourself by becoming emotionally attached to the initially planned route. If you reach a bend in the road, then go with it. If you reach a hindrance, plan to go around it. Never rule out any option without contemplating its merit. Rigidity leads to stress. Instead, think about words such as fluidity and flow.

  5. Remain optimistic. Remember there is always more than one route to any given destination, with one route not necessarily being better than another. Have the resolve that you WILL accomplish your goal, and embrace the growth-promoting challenges that will inevitably accompany you along the way.

When encountering roadblocks, as with life in general, there is not an ultimate BEST or ONLY route; there is only the route that you ultimately choose to take . . . which actually ends up being the best, because it got you to where you needed to go. Lastly, consider that a detour can intrinsically make the trip (and goal) more rewarding. I can’t think of a better way to express this than with the words of Robert Frost:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

(Excerpt from The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost)

When was the last time you faced a true roadblock in your life? How did you overcome it? Or . . . did you become derailed?

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DREAM MANIFESTO

[Image: Downloadable wallpaper via Designs Collage]

2011: Year of the Dream Manifesto

This will be a year for personal change. Just as our nation is taking time to reorganize and restructure, so shall we. Let us take time to redefine the RIGHT goals for ourselves. Imagine looking in the mirror and not only feeling accomplished, but also truly admiring the person looking back at you.

Dreams should not be confined to our imaginations. Dreams are gifts, given to us to make us more creative, to keep us growing, and to motivate us to do the things needed in order to realize our human potential. As long as we are sane, nothing is unattainable.

With a clenched fist of resolve, I say forget about unsubstantiated limits. Remove the shackles of doubt and fear and reach for the stars. We’ve taken enough baby-steps. Now is the time for us to take STRIDES – and not only toward our outward goals; we will also have to reach deep within ourselves for the courage, strength and resolve to do it.

Most importantly, please remember that in the grand scheme of life, no matter which path we’ve decided to take, we are all teachers, counselors, hand-holders and even shoulders for each other. Though we walk alone in our personal pursuits, we never have to FEEL alone. I ask that we do whatever we can to help each other. And provide extra fuel when necessary to keep our inner flames from going out – so that, together, we can shine brightly.

So, in this coming year may we all take positive steps to realize our dreams, strengthen our connections, find success in whatever ways we have defined for ourselves, and most importantly . . . become better people.

Love and blessings to all . . . Happy New Year ♥

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TAKE TIME TO BREATHE

[Image via Eiriu-Eolas.org]

As the saying goes, today is the first day of the rest of your life.

Take some time to truly breathe, exhaling all negative energy from your being. Then, inhale slowly and deeply as if you are opening the windows of your soul to allow fresh air to come rushing in.

From today, your senses will awaken. Pinch yourself and you will see that you no longer feel numb. Yes, you will feel some pain, but please embrace it because it is proof that you are still alive. It’s temporary. And as time passes, any pain that resides in your heart will also surely fade.

Though it may have become obscured amidst the chaos, beauty has always surrounded you. It is now that you will be able to see, hear, taste and feel it – almost as if for the first time.

We all have a light that burns within us. Sometimes the light becomes dim, but it never completely burns out. Breathe deeply – oxygen is energy. Take in as much as you can because fire needs oxygen to burn.

It’s a new day. Please don’t waste it. Close the door to the past, and don’t reach into the future. Focus only on the present moment because this is where you will find yourself.

Rediscover who you are. Become reborn; and like a newborn, you must take a first breath.

B-R-E-A-T-H-E . . .

Cleanse. Refresh. Let go.

Inhale – exhale – and repeat; it is the most basic process of life.

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THE ACTIVITY OF HAPPINESS

In my final thoughts for this series on happiness, I would like to address the original problem posed in The Secret to Happiness: How to define happiness.

Merriam-Webster provides the following definitions:
    a. a state of well-being and contentment
    b. a pleasurable or satisfying experience
In this discussion, I am not referring to specific experiences or brief feelings of pleasure. I am more referring the first definition; a state of well-being and contentment.

To further explain, I would like to make reference to Greek philosopher Aristotle. In his work, Nicomachean Ethics, the word happiness was translated from the Greek word, eudaimonia, which is more accurately defined as “well-being” and relates to the idea of human flourishing. Therefore, in his discussion of happiness, he is actually discussing “well-being.”

Aristotle explains that every human activity aims at some desirable end. The highest ends are “self-sufficient” (ends in themselves) while others are considered subordinate or intermediate, meaning that they are means to higher ends.

“Happiness is desirable in itself and never for the sake of something else. But honor, pleasure, reason, and every virtue we choose indeed for themselves, but we choose them also for the sake of happiness, judging that by means of them we shall be happy. Happiness, on the other hand, no one chooses for the sake of these, nor, in general, for anything other than itself. Happiness, then, is something final and self-sufficient.” Nicomachean Ethics (Book 1)

In other words, we seek happiness for its own sake, whereas we seek all other things ultimately for the sake of happiness. He further explains that happiness is the only good that we seek for its own sake. This means that wealth, power, success, and even intelligence are all sought, not as an end in themselves, but for the sake of happiness. With this understanding, it becomes easier to appreciate what Aristotle meant when he said, “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.”

A second important point is that Aristotle treats happiness as an activity:

“Happiness is not a state; we must rather class happiness as an activity. Some activities are necessary, i.e. choiceworthy for some other end, while others are choiceworthy in themselves. Clearly, then, we should count happiness as one of these activities that are choiceworthy in themselves, not as one of those choiceworthy for some other end. For happiness lacks nothing, but is self-sufficient; and an activity is choiceworthy in itself when nothing further beyond it is sought from it.” Nicomachean Ethics (Book 10)

Using the words activity and choice, he is implying that happiness involves ACTION. It is not something that you passively await to gain. It involves choosing HOW you wish to live, and participating in the activities that are conducive to that end. Therefore, happiness is the activity of living well.

Can this be applied to modern life? Well, if we accept that happiness is the highest end that we all seek, and that it involves the action of living well, then we can use these concepts as a basis for creating a life plan.

In A Guide for Rational Living, Albert Ellis, the founder of cognitive-behavioral therapy, said, “In many important respects, then, action, particularly creative, intensely absorbing activity, is one of the mainstays of happy living. Believe otherwise and live by a philosophy of inertia and inaction, and you will often sabotage your own potential satisfaction.” Here, Ellis is saying that action is a characteristic of happy living. Fulfilling activities promote happiness, and I believe that fulfilling activity is accompanied by happiness; i.e. happiness of pursuit.

Eudaimonia, translated as “human flourishing,” is very much related to the modern concepts of self-fulfillment (the fulfillment of your capacities) and self-actualization (realizing one’s full potential). The activities which create fulfillment will be different for each person. However, it is imperative that we define this for ourselves, and actively participate in those activities. This is what creates the type of happiness that will persist despite the ups and downs of life.

In my contemplation of this subject, my goal was to explore the idea that happiness comes from within, how thinking can affect mindset, and how to practically apply the findings to everyday life. In this article series, I uncovered 4 ideas that I could put to immediate practical use:

  • Choose to have a positive frame of mind
  • Refuse to be unhappy
  • Alter or eliminate sources of unhappiness
  • Engage in actions that create fulfillment
Though not exhaustive, I see this list as both a foundation upon which I can continue to build, as well as a litmus against which I can measure all future pursuits. Additionally, this list highlights one very important thing: Happiness is an action word. It requires activity, therefore you will never find it by sitting and waiting for it.

How active are you in creating conditions for you own happiness? How many of your current activities hinder your ability to live well (happiness)?

This article is third of a 3 part series. Read parts 1 and 2:
THE SECRET TO HAPPINESS
PRESCRIPTION FOR UNHAPPINESS

PRESCRIPTION FOR UNHAPPINESS

There is an old joke in which a man goes to his doctor and says, “Doctor, my arm hurts whenever I move it like this.”

The doctor replies, “Well, quit moving it like that.”

As simple as this may sound, the doctor makes a very important point. In discussing the subject of avoiding unhappiness, I believe the prescription is as simple as the remedy offered by the doctor: simply stop doing the things that make you unhappy.

There are many theories that explain happiness/unhappiness, and as I examine them more closely, I notice a central idea that unites them all. For instance, Buddhists say that we are responsible for our own suffering. Therapists strive to help us see that we are responsible for our own feelings, whether they be positive or negative. Philosophy and Religion asserts that happiness comes from living a good (holy, virtuous, compassionate, enlightened, etc.) life, which still implies that we have control over our own happiness because we can decide to live a “good” life, or not. Though the theories originate from different schools of thought, the message is the same: WE are responsible for our own happiness or unhappiness.

If it is true that we have control over whether we are unhappy (which I believe it is), then it should follow that it is possible to identify what causes unhappiness, and then alter or eliminate the source. For my life, I have identified the following sources:

  • Dealing with difficult (dishonest, argumentative, critical, negative) people
  • Stagnation (not progressing)
  • Compromising my integrity
  • Personal inflexibility (goals, assumptions/beliefs, expectations)
There may be a few others, but I listed the sources which have had the largest impact on personal happiness over much of my life. As I reflect upon this list, I think back to the remedy provided by the doctor in the joke: quit moving it like that. In other words, don’t continue to repeat actions or stay in situations that cause pain (or in this case, unhappiness).

Is this too simplistic? I don’t think so. In reviewing my list, there is not one item for which I do not have control. For instance, I stated that dealing with negative people is a source of unhappiness. To clarify, I am not talking about the occasional difficult person or co-workers that I don’t like – in that case it is easy to ignore them. I am more referring to ongoing relationships with people who are perpetually negative. In this situation, though it may seem that the source is external (you can’t control or change other people), I still have full control over how I interact with such a person. For example, I could choose any of the following options:

  1. Attempt to strengthen boundaries and continue to deal with this person
  2. Limit exposure to this person
  3. Cease dealing with them altogether
Any of the options above could alleviate the negative effect I ALLOW this kind of person to have on my life. However, if I do nothing and continue to repeat the same negative interactions with this person (keep moving my arm), I would be doing what is equal to causing a repetitive motion injury for myself.

In my previous post, The Secret to Happiness, I stated that I believe happiness is a mindset; an overall state of being. In other words, happiness is not a fleeting feeling such as pleasure or euphoria; true happiness is a continual quality of existence, no less important than physical health. Hence, if there is something that interferes with our ability to BE happy, we should diligently seek a remedy.

So, regarding the pain in your arm, I agree with the doc – quit moving it like that. Then figure out why it is hurting, and eliminate the source.

[Image via Buzzle.com]

This entry is second of a 3 part series. Read parts 1 and 3:
THE SECRET TO HAPPINESS
THE ACTIVITY OF HAPPINESS

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WELCOME TO CHRYSALIDES

No, this is not a blog about insects . . .

Chrysalides* is an entomological word which refers to the encased pupal stage of butterflies.  When a caterpillar is fully grown, it fastens its body to a leaf or a twig and forms a protective chrysalis. It is within the chrysalis that growth occurs. Not only does it mature during this stage, but it also differentiates itself from all others. With this being said, I’m sure you can infer the reason I chose the title for this blog.

Regardless of age, we, human beings, are in a continual stage of growth and development. Though our physical bodies may reach maturity, we continue to change throughout our lifetimes. Our bodies age, our psyches continue to develop, we continue to expand our intellect, as well as discover ourselves spiritually. Additionally, as we flow from each stage into another, our roles also change – and as we assume each new role, we are in a position to discover something new about ourselves.

Self-discovery is a process that never ends. If we are perceptive enough, we can gain knowledge from each new experience, and new discoveries will continue to shape our thoughts and beliefs. Therefore, we shouldn’t live our lives passively. We should keep our minds open, actively embracing each moment as an opportunity for growth. Each day is a new opportunity to discover more about ourselves and to live our lives in a better way than we did the day before. As we settle in each night, we can use those closing moments as an occasion to reflect upon the activities of the day and create our own chrysalis, so to speak, anticipating each new day as an emergence.

I am seeking to live my life better than I did yesterday, working on it each day. My pursuit will never be complete, nor will I ever be perfect. My only goal is to emerge each day as a better person.

*(the plural form of chrysalis; pronounced kri-SAL-i-deez)