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[Escape] from Bondage

“Every form of addiction is bad, no matter whether the narcotic be alcohol, morphine or idealism.” ― Carl Gustav Jung The desire to escape from pain,  is what creates even more pain.

Breaking Bad Habits

by Michael Corthell Habits run our daily life. Pretty much everything you do is based on a habit you’ve developed at some point in your life. Some habits are helpful, while others can also work against you. Even worse – there are a few 'bad habits' that can have a negative, long-term impact on your capacity to live a fulfilling life. Everyone wants to be healthy, strong, full of energy and life, as well as happy. Then why do so many of us have habits that take us in the polar opposite direction? Because getting rid of a habit requires change. And of all the things we do in a day, changing is by far the hardest. The only proven and proper way to get ride of our bad habits is to replace them with good, health ones. Smoking, gambling, eating junk food, drinking too much alcohol, spending too much time on the Internet, and even sex. Some seem benign, like gaming on the Internet, or binge watching our favorite shows. But, when these activities disrupt our pr

[Life's Work] Step by Step(or inch by inch) Gets the job done...

“Why do they always teach us that it's easy and evil to do what we want and that we need discipline to restrain ourselves? It's the hardest thing in the world--to do what we want. And it takes the greatest kind of courage. I mean, what we really want.” ― Ayn Rand Making a 'living' isn't the same as 'making a life'.

Finding Out What You Love to Do

by Michael Corthell Deciding on a career may seem seriously difficult—it is a serious decision, but it doesn't have to be difficult. However, the problem can be in trying to match your aptitude and the skill-sets, to the right job or career. ''Communication—Interpersonal Connectivity—is one of the key factors in all personal and career successes.'' But, the best advice in this article, no matter what I write below is this: Do what makes you happy . Why? Because  research has shown that a career that you absolutely hate can be worse for your over-all health than having no job at all and being poor. So, by being very aware of what your 'likes' and 'enjoyment' levels are when planning a career, plus making sure that you factor in everything involved in deciding on that career, you can go a long way in ensuring your satisfaction. Let's take a look: The first step then involves three questions: What do I want? What makes me happy? Wha

[Persistence] Just do it!

“The best way out is always through.” ― Robert Frost Trees symbolize patience, your lawn: persistence. “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” ― Calvin Coolidge

Success and The Power of Positive Persistence

Persistence and determination alone are all powerful. by Michael Corthell Persistence in the face of negative people. We all have to deal with it in our daily lives. Very often the very first thing we have to overcome on the path to achievement is another person's lack of optimism and enthusiasm. If I had to choose one quality, one personal characteristic that I regard as being the most likely to bring me success, in any field, I would choose persistence. Persistent determination: the will to endure to the end, getting knocked down ninety-nine times and getting right back up for the hundredth. "Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve t

[Recall] Did you forget something?

“The advantage of a bad memory is that one enjoys several times the same good things for the first time.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche My driving interest in photography is that pictures capture a moment that’s gone forever, and impossible to do over....absolute uniqueness.  ― Michael Corthell “Scars have the strange power to remind us that our past is real.” ― Cormac McCarthy, All the Pretty Horses

Do You Remember? Tips For Improving Memory

Memory: the faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information. Something remembered from the past; a recollection. by Michael Corthell Almost all of us aren't happy with our ability to remember, especially when we want to recall someone's name, a year we did something or a place we visited. How about trying to recall an address? or a telephone number? the time of a meeting etc? Even people who think they have an excellent memory, complain that they forget things. Do you want a better memory? It's all about 'practice makes perfect' and staying interested. ''It is sadder to find the past again and find it inadequate to the present than it is to have it elude you and remain forever a harmonious conception of memory.'' — F. Scott Fitzgerald A memory is like money in the bank, you can only withdraw it if you put it there. Your memory is probably just fine. You may just need to take the time to learn wa

[Rest] Relax and be foolish for bit...

  Humans are created to create, therefore we can only find relaxation from one kind of work by taking up another -- even if that 'work' is doing nothing.

Rest and Relaxation: It's All About Downtime

Managing Rest:  Like time, energy is finite, but unlike time, your energy is renewable through proper rest and nutrition. by Michael Corthell We all like to go on vacation and there are some studies that recommend 5 to 6 weeks as the optimum time off per year.  The same advice applies to breaks taken throughout the day. Taking frequent breaks to increase productivity might seem counterintuitive/productive, but they're more important than ever in our modern working world of constant electronic contact. We're constantly checking and updating our email, Twitter and Facebook in addition to the other stuff we're doing, and we don't take real breaks anymore — we just 'cyber-loaf' by fiddling and diddling on Facebook etc. ''Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work in hand. The Sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus'' ― Alexander Graham Bell            Mr. Bell makes a great point here about productivity:

[Dream] Hypnos, Pasithea and Morpheus Oh my!

  “You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” ―  Dr. Seuss The best cure for insomnia is to get a lot of sleep. “There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep.” ―  Homer,  The Odyssey

Good Habits for Restful Sleep

"I love my bed..." by Michael Corthell Sleep. Something that comes to us as naturally as breathing—for some. Sleep is a very important part of our lives. It is one of the 'big three' of good health, the other two being eating right and exercising. ''There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep.'' —Homer If you are always lacking a good night's sleep you could be in danger. Not just because just you are groggy and foggy the next day. Chronic, long-term lack of good rest dramatically increases your chances of diabetes, depression, cardiovascular disease, and even weight gain. Try some of these suggestions, and you just may wake up feeling incredibly well-rested. Sleep is foundational so sleep on a good bed.  If you love you bed, you're all set. But if you don't and have to buy a new mattress set, make sure you spend the proper time evaluating it in the store. Some stores even let you try out a new mattr

[LifeWork] The 'Rest' of it...

“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” ―  Dale Carnegie The true purpose of our lives? To make everything a source of enjoyment! “Life is more fun if you play games.” ―  Roald Dahl,  My Uncle Oswald  

Live Slower, Enjoy More AND Get More Done

by Michael Corthell There is much evidence today that slowing down your life can actually improve your health and your productivity, which will lead you a positive mindset that will increase your happiness. ''Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.'' —Henry Van Dyke At the beginning of both the industrial age and information age it was promised that objects, and information storage would provide increased productivity for our society, meaning that people could work less and have more time to live a balanced healthy life. That isn't how it played out exactly. We had to wait for a new age—the much anticipated age we a currently entering—the Spiritual Age for that to happen. Why will this age be different? It will be different because of time, or the perception of it and mankind's realization that everything does

[Time] ...has come today

“Time is the most valuable coin in your life. You and you alone will determine how that coin will be spent. Be careful that you do not let other people spend it for you.” ―  Carl Sandburg Time flies and that's okay, as long as you're the pilot. “You get to decide where your time goes. You can either spend it moving forward, or you can spend it putting out fires. You decide. And if you don't decide, others will decide for you.” ―  Tony Morgan  

[Choice] It's your voice...

“Waiting hurts. Forgetting hurts. But not knowing  which decision to take can sometimes be the most painful...” ― José N. Harris Those who can't (or won't) decide what's best for themselves, give someone else the opportunity. “You can't make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen.” ― Michelle Obama

Wise Choices: Good Decision Making

by Michael Corthell We make decisions every day, some consciously, and some sub-consciously. Each one of them has a consequence, some very small, some very noticeable, and some not so noticeable, but some are really big — mind-blowing — even earth shattering in their importance. Sometimes when we choose a certain path we don't know where it will lead. Sometimes we make decisions easily, at other times they can be very difficult. Still at other times we are forced to make them quickly to avoid losing an opportunity or even risk losing our lives. Most people don't know what effect they're having on their own futures by the nature of these decisions. ''Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.'' — Robert Frost Most times, we go through our lives blind to our own thoughts and what actions we are about to take. Every single decision we ma

[Honestly] 'Does this make me look fat?'

“Tact: the ability to describe others as they see themselves.” ― Abraham Lincoln Tact is my ability to step on your toes without messing up the shine on your shoes! “Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.” ― Benjamin Franklin

How to Communicate Tactfully

by Michael Corthell We've all had to do it―had to tell someone painful or sensitive information at some point in our lives―perhaps some constructive criticism, and knowing that truthfulness is all important, it can be difficult for us to do. What is the best way to give someone 'the news' with honesty? We learn to do it with tact . ''Tact is the ability to tell someone to go to hell in such a way that they look forward to the trip.'' ― Winston S. Churchill When you learn to communicate tactfully, you will strengthen your reputation and build your credibility . Being honest and tactful allows you to keep relationships and build new ones. Your tactful approach shows character, integrity, and maturity. It shows that you are a professional. Tact will also demonstrate that you are well mannered. Communicating with grace and consideration will make you a stand out. You will then get noticed for the right reasons and this can mean more opport

[Exercise] Loosen up

“All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols The path you decide to walk today will determine where you are tomorrow. “An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.” ― Henry David Thoreau

Exercising For Better Mental Health

by Michael Corthell When you realize that you're suffering from anxiety and depression, you may seek out medical treatment. You then will probably go to your primary care doctor to talk about meds. You may look for a therapist. You may even try to take a more holistic approach and use natural remedies. Many people will try all of these things. ''To enjoy the glow of good health, you must exercise.'' —Gene Tunney What most people either don't know or don't want to know is that there is a way of managing anxiety and depression that is considered as powerful as many medicines. It's a method that has few side effects and could even improve your over-all health. Medical studies have shown that physical and mental inactivity can be a cause of depression/anxiety/worry and that the opposite can help at least manage the symptoms and in some cases cure the illness. As with most illnesses the current thought is to always check

[Bad People] Here and there...

“May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house.” ― George Carlin Evil blossoms when living beings are treated as things. “The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.” ― Albert Einstein

[Minimalism] What owns you?

“Edit your life frequently and ruthlessly. It's your masterpiece after all.” ― Nathan W. Morris In the practice of minimalism I intentionally promote the things I most value in my life and remove anything that devalues it. “The first step in crafting the life you want is to get rid of everything you don't.” ― Joshua Becker

Finding Positive Life Satisfaction

by Michael Corthell Are you happy in your life, or about your life? That is a distinction that must be clearly defined. A regular state of happiness can be defined as an immediate, in-the-moment experience, on the other hand, positive life satisfaction is happiness that exists when we think about our lives as a whole, in its totality by looking at the big picture. Through absorbing the thoughts of people like Thoreau and Emerson, and developing a minimalist mindset, many are finding that a simpler lifestyle provides greater life satisfaction than a relentless pursuit of materialism. We can be happy 'going nowhere', but when we are happy with where we've been, and where we're going, that is thriving and flourishing. Then we can have peace and contentment in our lives. We then can call this state positive life satisfaction . Here are the key factors that contribute to positive life satisfaction: Having positive self-esteem. Having a pos

[Opportunity] Got difficulties??

“If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?” ― T.S. Eliot The greater the difficulty, the greater the satisfaction in overcoming it. “What if evil doesn't really exist? What if evil is something dreamed up by man, and there is nothing to struggle against except out own limitations? The constant battle between our will, our desires, and our choices?” ― Libba Bray, Rebel Angels