Quotes of the Week from Me:

“A lot can happen in a week. Practicing optimism can make “a lot” feel better.”

“Every day, in every way, show up and help out.”

“External approval is always fleeting. There is always more external; more people and things that command our thoughts and aspirations. Aspire to be your best, that is what you can define, and control.”

Quotes of the Week from Others:

“Do you think that I count the days? There is only one day left, always starting over; it is given to us at dawn and taken away from us at dusk.” – Jean-Paul Sartre (this one was heavy for me, wow.)

“Are these things really better than the things I already have? Or am I just trained to be dissatisfied with what I have now?” – Chuck Palahniuk (some of the best quotes are questions!)

For those on Instagram, I’m re-emphasizing a follow of the “oxherdboy” page for short story wisdom:

“What makes food taste the best?” the boy asked as he added some salt. “Hunger,” replied his grandfather.

Quick Optimism:

To solve an issue quickly, be soft on the person and hard on the problem.

Question of the Week:

How old are you?

Literally? Mentally? Physically?

Literally, I am 30. I turned 30 on November 29.

Mentally I still want to say 24 or 25 when asked my age. Physically, I feel better than ever, but I stretch a lot more than when I was 20.

For the first time, I sat and thought about 30 as a number. To some of you reading, old is anyone born before 2000, in the 1900s. For others, 30 still sounds like infancy.

This week I want to draw your attention to time, how much and how little we have of it simultaneously, and my favorite way of thinking about time: on the daily scale.

Thoughts for this Monday:

When you wake up in the morning and take a shower, you are already thinking about what to make for breakfast. You forget about the warm water soothing your body. What a way to start the day.  

As you eat, you remind yourself that you can’t forget to brush. You only have so much time to get to work before you are late. You miss the smell and taste of your coffee, the crunch of hearty toast, and the extra cheese on your eggs.

You arrive at work but while you are working, you daydream about the end of the day, what you’ll do, how you’ll play. No matter what your job is, you’ve already missed the opportunity to appreciate the privilege of having a job, and being able to work.

When you leave for the day, your only focus is the fastest route home and squeezing in an errand, but do not recognize any beauty that surrounds you on the journey.

Once home, finally home, you can only think of what tomorrow will bring, what you have to accomplish or pursue next. You forget to enjoy the calm of being alone or sharing time with loved ones.

Be more present.