I would like to preface by saying that I am just a person with a different lens of the world who lives a little differently than the norm. While I have something to share, I don’t claim to know better than anyone else. Also, keep in mind that this is my blog, so I may revisit these lessons to ground myself when I’m feeling particularly lost.
That said, here are some things I’ve gathered over the years that have helped me. It’s important to mention that everyone grows up with different environmental factors that shape them into who they are. Because of these differences, the challenges I’ve faced might be different from yours. Therefore, take what I say with a grain of salt before considering it in your own life.
| ➵ The grass is greener where you water it. ➵ Be careful of the stories you tell yourself and others. Don’t let them define you or shape your direction unconsciously. Remember, you are what you think. Be mindful of the narratives your mind creates. ➵ “Not everyone should be reading your book” – Lavender ➵ Take time to reflect on your day. Reflecting allows you to pivot. ➵ Compliment from what you value instead of what the other person wants to hear for genuine communication and connections. ➵ Narratives shape experience more than facts. ➵ No one can predict the future (context – stock market). ➵ True friends are people who want the best for you. ➵ Keep in mind that people often recommend their own path as the best way because it is the one they chose for themselves. ➵ Failure is the best teacher. It’s a cliché, but failure itself isn’t the goal; the act of trying is. ➵ Keep your goals private until actions bear fruit, conserving energy for progress and allowing the process to speak for itself. ➵ Write down your thoughts – see what they become. ➵ Don’t fall for New Year’s Resolutions trap, as they often encourage procrastination by postponing actions to a later date. Always start now. ➵ This may sound like a paradox, but “seek and you will find” often works only after you let go of the outcome. Trying keeps you in a state of effort; letting go allows alignment, and that’s when things tend to surface. With time, I’ve realized the phrase needs this nuance. ➵ Focus on what you can control. ➵ Venting can be useful, but it usually only resolves the emotion, not the problem. Progress comes from directing energy toward solutions. Still, there’s nuance here. Sometimes venting is part of letting go, a way to externalize the narrative your mind has created so you can examine it, release it, and reshape the story you want to live by. This used to read as “avoid venting,” since it can trick your brain into thinking you’ve accomplished something, but I’ve come to realize that framing doesn’t translate well beyond my own internal process. ➵ Connection is a choice. ➵ You are not responsible for other people’s happiness. ➵ Help yourself before you help others. Providing assistance when you have the means will always have a greater impact than when you lack the resources. ➵ Travel is more enjoyable when shared. ➵ Engaging in physical activities enriches travel experiences, improving aspects like eating and sleeping. ➵ Home is a person, not a house. ➵ Identity is fluid, not something to defend. “Never sacrifice who you could be for who you are.” Like most people, I’ve wrestled with labels. Over time, I realized I was sitting in a cage with the key in my own hand. Labels can be useful, but they become limiting when you start living inside them. It sounds silly, but “silly” is just another label…and a human, at their core, is label-less. So now, when I identify myself, I don’t reach for categories. I’m Macon. I get to define what that means, and I get to change it. ➵ Money is a means to an end, not the end itself. ➵ You are the choreographer of the movie you are forced to watch. ➵ You don’t find the right person to be with; you become the right person. Instead of trying to change someone else’s mind or behavior, focus on how you approach the situation. Just like changing how you throw a ball against a wall affects how it bounces back, changing your own attitude, actions, or mindset can shift how others respond to you. By evolving who you are, you can shape the external world and relationships you want to see in your life. |