How to Bring Your Best Self This Holiday Season

Pause, soften, and meet each moment with compassion. That’s how to bring a calm, grounded presence that turns simple exchanges into something meaningful.

The article “The Stance: How to Bring Your Best Self This Holiday Season” emphasizes the importance of approaching interactions during the holidays with mindfulness and compassion. It suggests that by pausing, softening, and meeting each moment with kindness, individuals can cultivate a calm and grounded presence. This approach transforms ordinary exchanges into meaningful experiences, enhancing connections with others during the festive season.

Go to the source article: The Stance: How to Bring Your Best Self This Holiday Season

Paying Attention in The Attention Economy

The article “Paying Attention: The Attention Economy” explores the concept of the attention economy, where human attention is viewed as a scarce commodity. It discusses how digital platforms and social media vie for users’ attention, often leading to distractions and reduced productivity. The piece highlights the implications of this economy on individual behavior, mental health, and societal structures, emphasizing the need for awareness and strategies to manage attention effectively in a world filled with constant information overload. Furthermore, it considers potential solutions and the importance of fostering environments that prioritize meaningful engagement over mindless consumption.

Go to the source to read the entire article: Paying Attention: The Attention Economy

What Does “Main Character Energy” Actually Mean?

“Main character energy” emerged as a trend to reclaim agency but it may bypass the work needed for genuine transformation.

“Main character energy” refers to the trend of viewing oneself as the protagonist of one’s life, emphasizing self-agency and personal narrative. While this mindset can empower individuals to take charge of their lives, the article cautions that it may sometimes overshadow the deeper, necessary work required for real transformation. Genuine change often involves confronting challenges and engaging in introspection, rather than simply adopting a surface-level persona.

Go to the source to read the entire article : What Does “Main Character Energy” Actually Mean?

5 Secrets to Self-Control

Self-control isn’t about forcing ourselves to do something we hate. It’s choosing to act in ways that fit our values and using practical strategies, no gritted teeth required.

The article “5 Secrets to Self-Control” from Psychology Today emphasizes that self-control is not merely about forcing oneself to perform unpleasant tasks. Instead, it highlights the importance of making choices in alignment with personal values and employing practical strategies to achieve desired outcomes. The piece encourages readers to adopt a more positive and values-driven approach to self-control, steering away from the notion of self-discipline as solely a struggle.

Source: 5 Secrets to Self-Control

Peter Coyote

Any fan of documentaries, particularly those of Ken Burns will recognize the iconic voice of Peter Coyote. As one of those fans, imagine my joy when I discovered that the voice behind many of my favorite historical documentaries such as The Civil War, The American Buffalo, and Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery is not only a great actor and voice artist, but also a Buddhist priest!

Continue reading “Peter Coyote”

Be Present in the Moment—Now

Tired of being stuck in the past and anxious of the future? Me too. Let’s do something about it—in the present.

The article “Be Present in the Moment—Now” emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and being fully engaged in the present. It discusses the common struggles of being preoccupied with past regrets or future anxieties, which can hinder our overall well-being. The author encourages readers to practice mindfulness techniques to cultivate awareness and appreciation for the current moment, ultimately leading to a more fulfilled life. By focusing on the present, individuals can alleviate stress and improve their mental health.

Source: Be Present in the Moment—Now

How to Fight Mental Attrition

To grow healthy mental habits, learn to be selective about who and what you let into your mind.

The article “How to Fight Mental Attrition” discusses the importance of nurturing healthy mental habits by being selective about the influences in your life. It emphasizes that the information and people you allow into your mind can significantly affect your mental well-being. The piece offers strategies for protecting your mental space and enhancing your resilience against negativity, ultimately promoting a healthier mindset.

Source: How to Fight Mental Attrition

Stay Human: Mindfulness Amidst AI Advances

Overwhelmed by AI hype, and the fear that you will be made obsolete? Take a breath. Changing how we think is hard work, but it’s doable. And it starts with a mindfulness practice.

The article “How Mindfulness Can Keep Us Human in the Age of AI” emphasizes the importance of mindfulness practices in navigating the rapid advancements of artificial intelligence. It suggests that the overwhelming hype and fear surrounding AI can lead to feelings of obsolescence. However, through mindfulness, individuals can cultivate a more resilient mindset, fostering adaptability and maintaining a human-centered perspective in a world increasingly influenced by technology. The piece highlights that while change is challenging, incorporating mindfulness can support emotional well-being and enhance our capacity to respond to these shifts thoughtfully.

Source: How Mindfulness Can Keep Us Human in the Age of AI

Experiencing Ourselves, Experiencing the Holy

Honoring the spiritual tradition of not claiming to know who God is, spiritual teacher Mirabai Starr encourages us to know and honor our lives and experiences more fully: 

In many mystical traditions, across the spectrum of the world’s religions, we find a paradoxical teaching that says the most reliable means for knowing God is by unknowing. Christian mysticism uses the Latin term, via negativa. We are encouraged to actively dismiss any words or concepts to define the vast mystery of the divine, resting in what we cannot say about God, rather than what we think we can say…

Continue reading “Experiencing Ourselves, Experiencing the Holy”

7 Ways to Build Mental Strength With Your Smartphone

Smartphones aren’t ruining our mental health. But the way we use them might be. These seven strategies can turn your phone into an incredible mental strength building tool.

Smartphones themselves are not the culprits harming our mental health; rather, it is our usage patterns that matter. The article outlines seven effective strategies to transform smartphones into tools for enhancing mental strength. By utilizing these approaches, individuals can improve their resilience and well-being through mindful smartphone usage.

Source: 7 Ways to Build Mental Strength With Your Smartphone

Unlock Your Peak Performance with Purpose

Want to live in the zone like Jordan or Ruth? The secret isn’t talent—it’s purpose. Discover how a simple mindset shift can unlock peak joy, focus, and flow.

The article “How to Live Life in the Zone” emphasizes that achieving a state of peak performance and joy, akin to that of great figures like Michael Jordan and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, is not merely about inherent talent but rather about having a clear purpose. It explores the importance of a mindset shift, suggesting that focusing on one’s purpose can enhance concentration, happiness, and a sense of flow in daily activities. The piece encourages readers to cultivate this mindset to unlock their fullest potential and lead a fulfilling life.

Source: How to Live Life in the Zone

Finding Joy When the World Feels Heavy

In a world where joy feels hard to find, it’s more vital than ever. Learn how embracing it can fuel resilience, spark hope, and help us navigate today’s challenges.

In the article “Finding Joy When the World Feels Heavy,” the author discusses the importance of joy in our lives, especially during challenging times. It emphasizes that embracing joy can strengthen resilience, ignite hope, and assist individuals in overcoming obstacles. The piece serves as a reminder that seeking and nurturing joy is essential for mental well-being, even when external circumstances may seem overwhelming.

Source: Finding Joy When the World Feels Heavy

That One Annoying Coworker Might Just Be Your Best Teacher

We all have that one person who pushes our buttons. But what if they’re also holding up a mirror, challenging us to grow, shift our perspective, and show up better?

Source: That One Annoying Coworker Might Just Be Your Best Teacher

Alternatives to Divisive Political Emotions

There are antidotes to the destructive emotions of resentment, humiliation, and fear, emotions that are the source of our current political polarization and contempt.

The article “Alternatives to Divisive Political Emotions” discusses how destructive emotions like resentment, humiliation, and fear contribute to political polarization and societal contempt. It highlights the importance of addressing these emotions through various antidotes to foster understanding and bridge divides in a politically charged environment. The piece emphasizes the potential for constructive emotions to replace negativity and lead to more productive political discussions.

Source: Alternatives to Divisive Political Emotions

Want to Change Your Life? First Change Your Algorithm

Feeling overwhelmed by doomscrolling? What you feed your brain matters. Change what you click on to retrain your mind, shift your outlook, and build a more hopeful life.

The article “Want to Change Your Life? First Change Your Algorithm” discusses the impact of digital content consumption on mental well-being. It highlights how continuous engagement with negative news, or “doomscrolling,” can contribute to feelings of anxiety and hopelessness. The author advocates for consciously altering one’s online habits by selecting more positive and uplifting content. By making mindful choices about what to click on, individuals can retrain their minds, enhance their perspectives, and ultimately lead a more hopeful and fulfilling life. Please share your thoughts in the comments below…

Source: Want to Change Your Life? First Change Your Algorithm

How to Stay Kind When You’re Fed Up With Everything

If your compassion’s running on fumes, you’re not alone. Learn to reset with kindness that’s real—not performative or covered by a fake smile.

In the article “How to Stay Kind When You’re Fed Up With Everything,” the author discusses the challenge of maintaining compassion and kindness, especially during overwhelming times. It emphasizes the importance of resetting one’s mindset to embrace genuine kindness rather than performative actions masked with fake smiles. By focusing on real compassion, individuals can rejuvenate their spirits and enhance their interactions with others.

If you’re feeling drained and need a boost in kindness, this article offers insightful strategies to help you navigate through those tough moments. For a deeper understanding and more practical tips, I encourage you to read the full article here.

Source: How to Stay Kind When You’re Fed Up With Everything

Why Your Best Purchase Is One You Can’t Return

Experiences don’t just bring joy—they shape identity and deepen connections. Science explains why what you buy can change how you feel about yourself and others.

The article “Why Your Best Purchase Is One You Can’t Return” discusses how experiences, rather than material possessions, significantly influence our sense of identity and interpersonal connections. It emphasizes that the joy derived from experiences adds meaning to our lives and fosters deeper relationships. The author highlights scientific explanations behind the emotional benefits of experiential spending, suggesting that such purchases can enhance our self-perception and strengthen our bonds with others, contrasting with the fleeting satisfaction provided by physical items.

Source: Why Your Best Purchase Is One You Can’t Return

This Is What a Digital Coup Looks Like

If this is the status quo, how then do we we who aspire to mindfulness respond?

I Should Have Seen This Coming

David Brooks writes “When I joined the conservative movement in the 1980s, there were two types of people: those who cared earnestly about ideas, and those who wanted only to shock the left. The reactionary fringe has won.”

Example?

Russell Vought, Donald Trump’s budget director, sounds like he walked straight out of 1984. “When they wake up in the morning, we want them to not want to go to work, because they are increasingly viewed as the villains,” he said of federal workers, speaking at an event in 2023. “We want to put them in trauma.

This is not America. This is something different…

Source: I Should Have Seen This Coming

How to Stay Up in a Down World

Emotional and spiritual vibrations refer to the energetic frequencies emitted by our thoughts, emotions, and spiritual states.

Source: How to Stay Up in a Down World

The 3 Top Things People Complain About

Complaining about these three things may feel good, but it’s rewiring your brain for more frustration, negativity, and misery. Here’s how to stop that whiny, negative steamroller.

Source: The 3 Top Things People Complain About

 

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