OnSelf

We will never understand everyone or everything but understanding this fact alone is essential to being a more open minded individual.

As humans we have the tendency to believe that the things we regard as common sense should be understood by the universe and we look down at those who don’t get it.

But what would life be like if we all knew everything. There would be no adventure, no growth and no reason to live.

Understand that no one has experienced your life, no one is wired the same way you are. Where you excel others may fall short but that fact can work vice virsa.

Be open to understanding a different perspective and don’t feel like you need to know everything or pretend to know everything.

Enjoy the process of learning and becoming a better you.

Art by:  Hopkinton, Massachusetts-based sculptor Michael Alfano

Info: creates surreal sculptures that use the human body and face to interpret philosophical ideas.

Taking a moment to look beyond ourselves, we can find unresolved thoughts and feelings that we bury deep inside as a way to overcome the pressure. 

We can be so consumed with this objective, that we neglect to wonder how it affects those around us and ourselves. Being thoughtful is not just subject to those around us but ourselves also. Taking the time to think about yourself and your needs can do more good to those around you than you may think. 

Be mindful of how you treat others no matter the circumstances. Understand that the consideration you show is a direct reflection of your character.

Being who you truly are is a difficult thing when we live in a world that tries hard to convince us we need to be a certain way to be happy or to be significant. 

We find ourselves looking to fill other shoes that are not quiet made for us. In time they begin to hurt. This is the perfect time to ask yourself a few questions.

“Am I happy with who I am?”

“Am I proud of what I have done?”

“What toxic habits or distractions are in my life that are preventing me from feeling happy and fulfilled?”.

Art by: Vincent van Gogh, Dutch (Groot Zundert (Zundert), The Netherlands 1853 - 1890 Auvers-sur-Oise, France) Title: Three Pairs of Shoes

Pain comes in a number of forms but inevitably enters your life at least more than a few times. Although uninvited, it is a necessary evil that intends to do you more good than harm, in hindsight we can learn to appreciate it.

It is a teacher that wants you to grow beyond your comfort but is aware of the safety net your mind puts around you, telling you to “be careful” and ultimately making you lack trust in your ability. Pain has no option but to push you off that safe cliff and help you learn to fly, the first time you will more than likely fall flat on your face but you’ll get up and realise that it wasn’t so bad. The fear will decrease and you will grow and try again. Only this time learning that you may have to try a different method to get better results. This is growth through pain.

Just like training a muscle, it will burn the first time and the second and even the third but through repetition and consistency the muscle will learn to grow stronger and soon enough...

The pain is gone. 

For a long time I thought life was a cruel psychopath who’s only intent was to torment me with problem after problem, drama after drama with no intention of stopping until it ate away every bit of my spirit. Its easy to look out into the world and believe that something or someone out there should be doing something to make your life better, but a harsh realisation comes around to slap you ferociously across your face as you walk head down feeling sorry for yourself, letting you know that its you who is the problem. 

We give life the power to take us down any road without questioning or rebelling against the process. This is the difference between those who are successful in all parts of their lives and those who are not. The successful ones refuse to follow the horde who walk blindly on a path of self doubt, self hate and self destruction.