Alone & Loneliness

“Loneliness does not come from having no people about one, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to oneself, or from holding certain views which others find inadmissible.” – C.G. Jung

A distinct difference exists between being alone and experiencing loneliness.  In Susan Cain’s book Quiet, she presents differences between introverts and extroverts and finds many people who embrace introversion crave being alone in solitude.  Introverts thrive, when they are able to read a book in the quiet comforts of a designated space made for the exact purpose, for example.  They are more energized and more focused, when they are alone.  Thus, the idea of being alone is not one to automatically elicit feelings of pity, sadness, nor discomfort.  

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Balance

“The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation, rather than upon mere survival.” – Aristotle

The key to all of life’s frequent and pressing questions is balance.  Multi-faceted questions are typically asked in terms of which side of the spectrum does an individual stand.  For example, should one act or not, should one live for the present moment or live for the future or past, and should one hang on or let go of a dream, of an idea, or pursuit.  However, framing the question as to illicit a “this or that” response leaves much unexamined.  

Ingredients for Health & Wellness

“The key to creating health is figuring out the cause of the problem and then providing the right conditions for the body and soul to thrive. It isn’t taking another medication.” – Mark Hyman, M.D.

Modern solutions to illness and disease are treating the surface, rather than resolving the root problems.  In particular, as a society we know how to eradicate many chronic illnesses, which would not only alleviate overburdened healthcare systems but would also create new possibilities for human potential to contribute skills, innovation, and ideas to the global economy.  

Perfectionism

“Healthy striving is self-focused: ‘How can I improve?’ Perfectionism is other-focused: ‘What will they think?’ – Brené Brown

The ideal of perfectionism is a subject that is interwoven with the notions of failure and making mistakes.  The image of perfection oscillates between trying your very best at something for reasons related to high standards, self-validation, and purpose to crippling fear, avoidance of judgment, and stress.  The former is healthy; the latter, on the other hand, could harm more than it benefits.  

Anger

“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” – Buddha

Anger is paralyzing.  Albeit anger is normal, recognizing how to express it constructively makes the difference between it causing harm or not.  Anger is healthy in terms of serving as a signal.  It reveals how a difficult situation must change in order to return to emotional equilibrium.  

Tame the Mind

“With our thoughts we make the world.”― Gautama Buddha

Pay attention; be present.  With the fast pace of the modern world we miss giving our thoughts any due attention.    Thousands of thoughts race through our minds from the moment we wake to the moment we return to rest, but we do not recognize the patterns behind our thoughts nor their nature and direction. We also overlook their power.

Mind and Body

“A feeble body weakens the mind.” – Jean-Jacques Rousseau

The ongoing national healthcare debate underscores the need for further discussion on our health as individuals and as a society.  Today food manufacturers have hijacked nutrition in the name of mass production and profit.  Food is tarnished with hormones and preservatives.  Manufacturers deceive the public as well as work around the FDA regulations to add sugar to every product and hiding it behind various nicknames on the ingredients list.