Home Sweet Home

“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” -Marcus Aurelius

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately; minding my thoughts. Recognizing which ones are beneficial and which ones are dangerous to entertain. Years ago, I wasn’t comfortable in my skin because of my thoughts, but after getting to know myself, it not only made me feel at home inside myself, it helped me better understand those around me. Mental health, mental exercises, mental discipline—it all shapes the world you reside in.

Are you at home in your skin?

Mind Your Thoughts

Empower yourself by choosing kind thoughts. It’s worth the effort.

Don’t let negativity take over your brain. It’s your brain. You have the keys. Taking control of your thoughts is one of the greatest things you can do. Sometimes my thoughts attempt to shame me or make me feel bad, but one of my greatest weapons is my words of affirmation. I’ve been using them so long they come naturally. This makes it so I can disconnect from the negativity, which is perfect because it isn’t mine to hang on to.

You Did That!

“Treat every small victory like you just won the Super Bowl.” – Lewis Howes

I always try my best to do this! It really is easier said than done. But small goals are worth celebrating all year round. Don’t push off your small wins waiting to celebrate the big win. Step away and celebrate every little goal you meet. This post is really for me. If you’re doing it, let me know how often and in what ways you celebrate.

Today I reached a goal I was proud of and rewarded myself with a super healthy spread of fruits and veggies annnd a homemade chicken Caesar salad wrap. It was everything I’ve been wanting lol.

Overcoming Insecurities in Writing and Speaking

“The style of an author should be the image of his mind, but the choice and command of language is the fruit of exercise.” -Edward Gibbon

I used to think I was a better writer than a speaker. But then I thought, maybe I’m better at speaking than I am at writing. It was, and maybe in some ways still is, an insecurity. I used to care very much what people thought about my skills in both areas. Now I don’t care too much what anyone else thinks about my skills in either area. I care more about how they feel when they walk away. If they feel defeated and less human after they’ve been around me, my skills have failed me. But if they walk away thinking, “Wow, maybe I am capable,” then my skills have done their duty. That’s really all that matters to me in the end.

Right Brained

“I write lustily and humorously. It isn’t calculated; it’s the way I think. I’ve invented a writing style that expresses who I am.” -Erica Jong

I have a hard time writing things that I don’t learn from. I am a fiction writer who writes with depth and intention filled with symbolism. So, things that are just black and white are very hard for me. Some might say my writing is very right-brained. I enjoy reading deep philosophical writing that’s rich in symbolism very much. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good textbook, but I learn from a textbook because I can apply it to the universal symbols I’ve already learned.

What’s you style?

Treasure

“Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it’s the only way you can do anything really good.” – William Faulkner

There’s a story going around about Stephen King trashing his novel. His wife pulled it out and told him to keep working on it. That was his book, Carrie. Steven King id proof, it’s better to write (what you think is) trash than nothing at all.

Good News

“Wherever the art of Medicine is loved, there is also a love of Humanity. ” -Hippocrates

So… I got an amazing doctor. She got my blood work done and boosted my iron pills from an over the counter 35mg to a prescribed amount and wowzer! My energy is amazing now. I hope I continue to feel this boost in energy because I feel like I can juggle my life a lot better now. I hope that it contributes to a more healthy lifestyle. Yay!

Be Scared and Do It Anyway

“Are you paralyzed with fear? That’s a good sign. Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do. Remember one rule of thumb: the more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.” -Steven Pressfield in The War of Art

Welp, I felt the fear, not going to lie. But that’s not going to stop me. I’ve come to the end of my novel, and now I have to make all the connections, delete stuff that never ended up taking root, and create connections in places I didn’t see before. I’m literally still learning from this novel.