Simplify

“Let your mind wander in simplicity, blend your spirit with the vastness, follow along with things the way they are, and make no room for personal views – then the world will be governed.” ― Zhuangzi

Simplify perceived emotional turmoil, external challenges and desires, and existential push-back by taking personal power and control over the thoughts that enter the mind.  Rather than allow distress to run both the mind and body, attempt to gather greater understanding over the causes.  View matters from different angles in order to begin delineating between what is objective and truth versus what is subjective and skewed perceptions.  

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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.  

Stress

“All he really knew was that if he stayed here he would soon be the property of things that buzzed and snorted and hissed, that gave off fumes or stenches. In six months, he would be the owner of a large pink, trained ulcer, a blood pressure of algebraic dimensions, a myopia this side of blindness, and nightmares as deep as oceans and infested with improbable lengths of dream intestines through which he must violently force his way each night.” – The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury