#66 Thermostat or Thermometer?

A thermometer measures temperature. It can measure the temperature of your body, meat on a BBQ, and even the weather. 

A thermostat on the other hand regulates temperature. If it’s too hot in your home, you can use this device to cool your dwelling. If it’s too cold, then you can use it to warm your home. 

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#58 How to Forgive Yourself

“Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.’” – Mark Twain

When I first heard this beautiful quote my heart skipped a beat, goosebumps arose throughout my body, and my eyes began to tear up. Twain tells us that even when the heel of a foot crushes the violet flower, it still permeates its sweet fragrance.

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#57 – 6 Ways to Cleanse the Mind, Body, & Soul

5:45 am and I am up as the alarm sings tunes from the king of pop (aka Michael Jackson). I grew up during a time where his music prowess was unprecedented, flawless, and life giving. I decided to stay in bed for another 5–10 minutes and opened the window next to me. The sun comes out earlier in the months of April so it doesn’t seem like I’m up that early, but the beautiful chirping melodies from the many birds accompanied with the silence of the city, is a reminder that I am. After a few minutes of being utterly transfixed and inspired by the new day, I started my daily routine of rituals.

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#50 Assertive Spirituality

There is a misconception that when one starts to engage in spiritual practices such as meditation and mindfulness, that it’s necessary to lay a red carpet of passivity.

Since becoming more spiritual and aware of the material world around me, I’ve been able to navigate through the world of 10,000 things, as Lao Tzu would say, with much ease, vigor, and confidence. 

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#47 Self-Awareness Tips to Get Through 2020

While walking through 2nd and Mission Street at 6:00 in the morning, I noticed a large flock of birds flying towards the Bay Bridge. There had to be over 200 of them and from my vantage point, they looked synchronistic.

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#44 Practical Ways to Be Present

I’ve been practicing meditation with formal and informal training for a few years now. Today I wanted to share practical things that have worked for me and may work for you.

Now before I begin, let me just reference that meditation is much more than sitting in one place with your eyes closed for extended periods of time. Although, I do this for about an hour a day, it came with practice, and making the decision to live as a monk for 10 days, I’ve learned that moments of joy and bliss are open to us at all times.

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#39 Finding Inner Peace

I got out of bed at 3:30 am to the smell of fire. I walked outside of my balcony and noticed the sky had a pinkish hue. Falling down were bits of debris. I felt ash on the wooden ledge but couldn’t see any evidence of a fire. I proceeded to the internet and saw that Napa and Sonoma counties were currently experiencing forrest fires. My heart is with them.

This was an extremely unsettling week for me. I was not affected personally, but those close to me were.

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#35 Morning Rituals — a Gateway to Clear Thinking

I wake up between 4:30–5:00 am 7 days a week. It’s come to a point where staying in bed past these hours is incomprehensible. Because I am trying to create a livelihood through writing and other creative projects, having a system in place where I can stir up inspiration is a necessity.

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