Day 33: Loving Yourself

There's no way in the world that anyone can tell me that you can love fully and completely when you don't love yourself.  You cannot let go.  You cannot really embrace.  You cannot allow yourself to fall.  You're too guarded.  Too scared.  Too worried.  Even if you find someone who loves you the way you need to be loved, total acceptance still won't be possible.  You're too blocked.  You've got too much personal baggage.  You've got to release it.  You've got to fall in love with yourself before you can really allow someone else to love you.

Day 32: A Direct Route to Divine Power

Man can proclaim to be as wholly holy, devout, and pure as possible.  But it never changes our human nature.  Our innate fallibility and imperfection.  Our tendency to pass judgment, to boast, and be haughtily bound in our approach.  Some of us can't help being ourselves in everything man has "created" - even religion.  We were made in his image but are not the image.  We may be Christians or working to be Christians, but we are not Christ.  We are not God, Buddha, Allah, Vishnu, Shiva, or any god of worship.  That's why I will never allow anyone to tell me about how I should live my life, force their beliefs upon me, or tell me about how my relationship works with The Creator.  It's personal territory.  It's mine.  It's about my spirituality and my spirituality determines how I believe my relationship should be.  Advice and guidance are one thing.  But you do not rule my path to higher power.  Because I - like you, like everyone else - has a direct route all day, everyday.  And there's nothing that any man can do to change that.

Day 31: On A Mission

I doubt there will ever come a time when we will like everything and everybody in this universe.  We're fickle, finicky, and at times very adamant about what we like (and don't like).  And other times, we can be downright nasty about it.  Shady too.  Knowing this - why would we ever strive to to please everybody?  We need to please ourselves first and foremost.  Maybe we'd stand a better chance at achieving the things we're so passionate about.  Maybe then we'd be on a mission that nothing and no one could abolish.  That's when you know it's deep.  That's when you know it's meant for you.  That's when people can say or do anything but won't break your faith, determination, or steadfast nature.  When you're on a mission to please you (and The Creator) nothing will stop you.

Day 30: Obligation & Convenience in Relationships

Two things that can keep someone in a relationship are convenience and obligation.  After a particular span of time, people get complacent.  They become very comfortable with where they are.  Even when they know they deserve better - they stay.  They'd rather suffer than make the move on to something better suited for themselves.  They also may be weary of hurting their mates feelings.  And they may be feeling that staying (because of the time put in - amongst other things) is what they're supposed to do.  Well, you've got to think about your heart.  If after all this time things still haven't changed or don't look like they will change - it's time to go.  Doesn't matter what or who you're leaving behind.  Happiness and joy are not worth your accommodating someone who is not meant for you.  Why suffer in silence?  Put yourself first.

Day 29: The Way You See Yourself

One must think as positive about themselves as possible.  The way you think and feel about yourself reflects and reveals itself to others.  So if you have a negative view of yourself - you may need to take a step back and re-think how you see yourself and change it.  Positivity goes a long way and always makes a substantial difference in many of life's situations.

Day 28: Getting Beyond Blame

We have the power to make great changes in our lives. Our power, in this vein, can manifest in both good and bad ways. At times, we can be our best champions or our worst detractors. And when we detract from ourselves—time to recover and recoup can be lengthy. After a certain phase in our lives, it matters not whether others or we were to blame for our misfortunes. That's because the responsibility for the outcome and our personal resolution(s) remains with us. This responsibility cannot be placed elsewhere. No scapegoating or excuses, because our power and our choices will be at play. It’s imperative that we use our power and make choices wisely.  We must get beyond the blame.

Day 27: Other People & Their Problems

When it comes to other people and other people's problems - there's only little we can do.  It's up to them to make the changes and transitions necessary for improvements in life. You can advise, counsel, support, and love them all you want.  But if they don't want things to be better for themselves - you might as well proceed like it's business (your business) as usual.

Day 26: Make Time For Yourself

Doesn't make sense to run yourself into the ground.  You've got to make time to replenish yourself. Do the things you love to do.  Do the things that relax you.  The things that keep you centered when everything around you has embraced insanity as its BFF.  Do for you what no one else can.  Make the time.  Take the time to care for you.

Day 25: Fear

Fear can be debilitating.  It can hold you captive, but in a way that is more detrimental to you and your progress.  You have to get over the insecurities, the self-doubt, and all that you've allowed to hold you back.  You have to let go if you want to claim what's rightfully yours (completely, without the baggage).

Day 24: Ego-Tripping

Here's a little reality check for all those who've been ego-tripping lately... There's more to life & more to the world than you.

Day 23: Faith & Determination

When you're really pushing to achieve something the negative forces will always try to deter you.   This is especially true during our bleakest and most difficult times.  You have to be steadfast and hold on to your faith.  It isn't easy.  But it's better coming out of the fire having done the right thing instead of the wrong thing.

Day 22: Outside The Comfort Zone

The tried & true methods are not always the best ways to approach problems.  Sometimes you have to step outside of the place where you feel most comfortable in order to move forward.  Looking towards new methods you are not accustomed to may be the way to go.  Take the risk - you never know.

Day 21: Balance

There's something to be said about someone who is so selfless and giving of themselves to other things and people.  There's also something to be said about someone who is so selfless and giving that they neglect themselves. You've got to find the balance between everything, everyone else, and you. Otherwise, this kind of imbalance can lead to self-inflicted burn out (amongst so many other things).

Day 20: So-called Communication

Doesn't seem to be many of us around who are interested in or care to really communicate anymore.  So much is misunderstood, misconstrued, and taken out or put in the wrong context.  If we thought before we spoke (or wrote), did our research, went straight to the source instead of making assumptions and passing judgment, and asked the right people the right questions - so much bullshit would be eliminated.

Day 19: Real Greatness

You may be the best at what you do.  Amazingly gifted and talented.  But none of that matters if you aren't using what you've been blessed with to inspire, motivate, nurture, guide, and assist those coming up with or behind you.  It's about giving back what you've been so fortunate with.  Is there anything worse than a truly talented person who's not only boastful, arrogant and egotistical but selfish too?

Day 18: Talking Shit

People will always have shit to say.  It's part of the human makeup.  Unfortunately, the things people say tend to be more on the illogical, biased, ignorant, or negative side.  But when there's a problem or an issue that needs to be addressed, if you're not bringing anything relevant or constructive to the table - do everyone else a favor & shut the fuck up!