High school is a part of the past you can’t live again

High school is a part of the past you can’t live again

Youth
“High school, you don't want to go back and do it over again.” - Marguerite Moreau It’s been 25 years since I graduated from high school. And as is customary, my graduating class has arranged a high school reunion to commemorate the milestone. I didn’t attend any of my previous reunions and honestly, I have no plans to attend this or any other future high school reunions. Understand that I have no animosity towards any of my former classmates. But I wouldn’t classify my years in high school as rewarding or memorable. High school was another life – a part of my past which has no place in my present or my future. While some would gladly trade their current circumstances for a chance to relive their skewed reality of…
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Reaching out to others should be an act of selflessness

Reaching out to others should be an act of selflessness

Generosity & Kindness
“Reaching out and valuing other lives is the only way to be trusted and never forgotten.” ― Isabella Koldras When you’re reaching out to someone in your life (a friend, a family member, a colleague) how often is that communication selfless? Are you reaching out to discuss a situation or circumstance in your life, or are you genuinely making contact to show they are trusted and never forgotten? The way I see it, there are listeners and talkers in society – and lately I feel as though I’ve been straddling the line between the two. What I’ve discovered is that being the listener comes with drawbacks. The main one being when you’re reaching out to the talker for a comforting and safe environment to share your feelings, they’re rarely around to…
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One kind word is all it takes to completely change your outlook

One kind word is all it takes to completely change your outlook

Generosity & Kindness
“Sometimes, all it takes is one kind word to nourish another person. Think of the ripple effect that can be created when we nourish someone. One kind empathetic word has a wonderful way of turning into many.” ― Fred Rogers, The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember When opportunities fall through your fingers like particles of sand, you’re often left deflated and demoralized. You question whether or not you’ll find the courage to believe in yourself and continue moving forward. But then something truly wonderful happens. One kind word completely derails your deflated and demoralized feelings and suddenly you realize that everything happens for a reason. That today you’re you and frankly that’s enough. I recently found myself experiencing the feelings above as an opportunity I was convinced would…
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Complaining is a habitual behavior that can be softened, but not eradicated

Complaining is a habitual behavior that can be softened, but not eradicated

Life & Living
“Remember not to care about the things you don’t even care about.” – Cleo Wade, Heart Talk I was recently told that I complain a lot. While one’s immediate reaction is to become defensive and try to argue against the accusations laid against you, age has taught me it’s futile. The truth of the matter is I DO complain a lot. There – I admitted it. And while at times I feel like it’s warranted, it rarely produces any positive results. I recently read something that I have to keep reminding myself. Cleo Wade wrote an inspiring book entitled Heart Talk and in it she sums up my complaining perfectly. “Sometimes our habitual thinking takes over and we end up complaining or being upset about things that don’t actually matter…
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Parents – giving your children what they want is not the answer

Parents – giving your children what they want is not the answer

Youth
“Some parents feel like it is their duty to fulfill all or most of the wants of their children. Sometimes it is because they lacked things as a child and want to make up for their own loss, or they believe that their children will love and appreciate them more if they give them everything they want.” – Matthew Whoolery When my wife was a little girl, and began losing her baby teeth, she asked her mother why she was only getting 50 cents from The Tooth Fairy when most of her friends were getting a dollar. Her mother reminded her to be grateful for anything she was given and not to expect more. Well, the next time she lost a tooth and put it under her pillow for The…
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