Oh Nuts

  Too often, we get caught up in this need for perfection. It comes to a point where everything has to be in specific spots or look a certain way. With every I dotted, and T crossed, with every strand of hair in place. If that doesn't happen, then it is considered disorganized and messy. But what we forget is that there is no such thing as perfect.  Because of our need for everything to be perfectly ordered, we forget that it is okay to have things get messy. When we have everything in perfect order, it can often feel like a sterile environment where nothing wants to grow. Leaving the occasional mess by the kitchen sink or toys thrown across a bedroom floor is a sign of life.  Oftentimes, I think constant perfection is also a need for control. Because if we can control the environment around us, we can live the way we want. But what we need to do is r elease the need for control. Life has its own set of twists and turns, and not everything can be controlled. We need to em...

  Have you ever been told not to read a certain book because it might influence your thinking? Or have you been discouraged from reading a particular author because of their controversial ideas? If so, then you may have encountered a common fear that many people have: the fear of thinking. Photo by Laura Kapfer on Unsplash In reality, books should be celebrated for their ability to challenge our beliefs and broaden our perspectives. As the famous quote goes, "If you're afraid that books might change someone's thinking, you're not afraid of books. You're afraid of thinking." The truth is that reading books that challenge our existing beliefs is crucial for personal growth and intellectual development. Exposing ourselves to different ideas and perspectives makes us more open-minded and capable of critical thinking. We learn to question our assumptions and opinions and become more empathetic towards others who may hold different views. Of course, it can be uncom...

  Growing up, we are often taught the importance of respecting those around us. This is because respect is vital to building strong and healthy relationships. It is crucial to treat others with kindness and understanding; in the same way we want to be treated. By practicing respect, we can create a more harmonious and peaceful world, even when it seems challenging, or someone appears unworthy of that respect. Integrity is another critical aspect of building strong relationships. It means being honest and truthful in our words and actions. When we act with integrity, we earn the trust and respect of others, and our relationships become more meaningful and enduring. Therefore, striving to act with integrity in everything we do is always important. Having courage is also important in life. It means having the strength to face our fears and take risks, even when difficult. When we have courage, we can accomplish things we never thought possible. So, we should not hesitate to step out o...

  See your goal - This goal can be different for everyone. Sometimes people can have the same goal or it can be complete opposites. The point is that you can see your goal and know what it is that you want to do. Understand the obstacles - Obstacles are a part of life that we all face at some point. What those look like will change over time. Especially when we jump from object to object. But they are something that can be understood and worked through to make us stronger and better people.  Create a positive mental picture - Once we see our goal(s) and understand the obstacles that go with them, we can create a more positive picture and mindset. If we don't work on being positive, then it can be a lot harder to reach our goals.  Photo by Mohamed Nohassi on Unsplash Clear your mind of self-doubt - Like creating positive mental pictures, clearing the self-doubt will help us all in the long run. Because self-doubt is that nagging voice that we hear in our heads. It's oft...

  "Let Them”  Author: Cassie Phillips Just Let them. If they want to choose something or someone over you, LET THEM. If they want to go weeks without talking to you, LET THEM. If they are okay with never seeing you, LET THEM. If they are okay with always putting themselves first, LET THEM. If they are showing you who they are and not what you perceive them to be, LET THEM. If they want to follow the crowd, LET THEM. If they want to judge or misunderstand you, LET THEM. If they act like they can live without you, LET THEM. If they want to walk out of your life and leave, hold the door open AND LET THEM. Let them lose you. You were never theirs because you were always your own. So let them. Let them show you who they truly are, not tell you. Let them prove how worthy they are of your time. Let them make the necessary steps to be a part of your life. Let them earn your forgiveness. Let them call you to talk about ordinary things. Let them take you out on a Thursday. Let them talk...

  I don't know who needs to hear this, but you are not broken. There is nothing wrong with you. Unfortunately, there is a lot wrong in the world, and it's normal to recognize those things. Often times we feel broken, or something is wrong with us because of something that happens to us. And it can affect us down the road as we move through life. Because of this, we have a hard time asking others for help. Through our life experiences, we often think that we need to do something alone and that no one will want to help us. But don't be afraid to ask for help. Because we don't have it all together like we might think we do. While it might be easier for some people, we all need to learn that having help is okay. There is nothing wrong with needing or asking for help. When saying things like "it takes a village," some people don't have a village. Because of that, they have to figure it out on their own. And that can be hard to do, feeding into feeling like they...