The Daily Disturbance

We simply S.I.M.P.L.I.F.Y. Another How To session for those with the courage to unravel the complexities we got ourselves into. “The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary many speak.” – Hans Hoffman. Eliminate, then communicate.

Simplicity is an exact medium of too little and too much – Joshua Reynolds It’s become so complex because the world has changed but the rules of running it haven’t evolved as quickly?! So, here we all are with the keys to car we haven’t learned to drive! But there is wisdom, too, in not trying to figure it all out, living with the questions, the confusion, the complexities of it all. “In the confu...

Only if you want to! Truth to tell, many of us want life to be complex and complicated! Then, again, let us not be too hard on ourselves. There are those who purposefully wish for us to be confused! “If you can’t convince them, confuse them.”- Harry S. Truman. But, a resounding Y.E.S! to those who sincerely and intentionally want to live simply!

“Optimism is the essence of every fighter; the belief that no matter what you’ll find a way to win.” – The MMA, or the Mixed Martial Arts group When you can hardly see anything beyond you, haven’t you found yourself digging deep within? And the deeper you go, into you’re core best self, you will see that you have more resources to carry – or unload – the burdens in front of you. Best yet, beyond b...

Well, I do thank the Lord for my wife regularly! Shhh… Seriously, if not for the biggest disappointments in my life, I would’ve missed the best of God’s appointments for my life! Whatever I appreciate more automatically increases in value. So, start being thankful. At the very least, it adds to optimism, and yes, as the Dalai Lama attests, “feels better,” too. “Write it on your heart that every da...

“Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create.” – Roy T. Bennett Since there is no way out, why don’t you take a new perspective of staying “in?” Indeed, there must be a whole new and better way, outside of this current and bitter way! “The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.” – Stephen King

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” Leo Tolstoy C’mon, who doesn’t have an occasional annoying partner whom God has used to change your world, and you?! Let this current burden lead you to C.H.I.L.L!

“Optimism – the doctrine or belief that everything is beautiful, including what is ugly.” – Ambrose Bierce Burdens become blessings when we see all that knocks on our doors as gifts. Not necessarily the “knockers” themselves but their presence at our doorsteps! We can welcome them, gently turn them away, or hold our ground as they insist on forcing themselves in. Regardless of what others do,...

Nope. Well, not yet. For now, receive the conflicts of your life as a gift! Let is prune you, sharpen you, transform you! Let it also reveal to you a God who works on your behalf and resolves and maximizes conflict issues for your benefit. “When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.” - Proverbs 16:7

“The love of conflict is most evident when opposing forces join sides to defeat the peacemaker.” ― Criss Jami Ouch! Live with conflict, but please, don’t fall in love with it! Here are practical – and hopefully inspiring – ways to deal with tough conflicts that just won’t go away!

Let’s R.E.S.O.L.V.E. it! 7 steps to Conflict resolution. Choose a person or an issue you are currently “conflicted with” and move towards mutual understanding! “Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict -- alternatives to passive or aggressive responses, alternatives to violence.” ― Dorothy Thompson

“Often those that criticize others reveal what he himself lacks.” ― Shannon L. Alder Let’s go deeper within! How can we address conflicts around us if we first don’t resolve the conflicts within? Let’s identify the H.U.G.O.T.S. – deep-seated issues – of our lives!

“Where there is power, there is resistance.” - Michel Foucault Where there is collaboration, there is conflict. So, yes, there is a way out of very conflict. But no, there is no way to live a life without conflict. Let’s resolve to learn from this and pursue peace! Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. - Matthew 5:9

15 choices that will define – and refine – your life. Let’s do them once, and again, daily. L.I.F.E.’S. T.O.P. C.H.O.I.C.E.S. “All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful, but not all things build up.” - 1 Corinthians 10:23

“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.” – Nelson Mandela The choices made for or against you are other people’s choice, not yours. Now, respond to them with your own choice, and either maximize them or turn them around, for good! “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God m...

Here’s a 6-point approach to making better choices in your life. Practical. Relatable. Life-changing. Are you ready for a life change? “When you make a choice, you change the future.” ― Deepak Chopra

“Your life is a result of the choices you make. If you don’t like your life, it is time to start making better choices.” – Anonymous So, what kind of a chooser am I? Let’s take a look at your biases, and add on to that your sense of “W.I.S.D.O.M.” in make choices, moving forward.

Well, you are choosing to read this, right? And you can choose to stop reading too! Ofcourse, you can choose! The question is: are you aware of what kind of “chooser” you are, and the implications of the choices you have made and will continue to make in life! Indeed, “You are free to make whatever choice you want, but you are not free from the consequences of the choice.” Anonymous

Yes, and No. It’s an affirmative, and a negative, but both positive! It’s a matter of perspective. Listen on.

“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” – Jimmy Dean You still can choose to redirect. And be thankful you are even aware it isn’t the right path you have been walking! Re-envision a brighter future, my friend, and take small steps towards a better end.

How do I redirect? How do I redirect?! Ok, ok, you’ve got me convinced, but how to go back in the right direction? Direction not just in terms of the expected end goal, but also the quality of the process getting there. “Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.” – Confucius

Just where are you heading? Depends what your goals are and the manner by which you wish to be journeying! There can be 5 members of the same team each with different reasons for playing. “We are not retreating – we are advancing in another direction.” – Douglas MacArthur

You already have one! Towards where, only God knows! (And to an extent – depending on how “mindful” you are – you have an idea, too!) It’s not where you are, or where you wish to be…it’s where you’re headed that is key! “The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction not a destination.” – Carl Rogers

By believing in the possibility, seizing the opportunity, and acting like one…like the beset version of yourself! John 15:16 ~ “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.“

You do have a family don’t you? Whether far from ideal or the ideal, every family will be composed of unique identities, hopefully committed to build a better hole “Unlike a drop of water which loses its identity when it joins the ocean, man does not lose his being in the society in which he lives. Man’s life is independent. He is born not for the development of the society alone, but for the deve...