"the ability to keep living and loving when everyone would understand if you gave up is true leadership and strength."

[from same retreat talk as previous posts]

Although he may not seem like one, my dad embodies Christian leadership as well.  He may not be able to be the stereotypical “man of the house”, but he is an inspiration and role model to me through his deep devotion to God and his strong faith by putting himself fully in God’s hands.  He is always joking around and never lets frustrations or obstacles bring him down.  He stays strong and accepts his sickness and disability and learns to live with it.  Also, the way he physically cannot remember a lot of unimportant things teaches everyone not to dwell on the arguments or stresses that may happen.  He doesn’t let these downfalls take away from the memorable, loving moments.  He shows me what is truly important in life and that to handle inevitable ups and down, faith is essential to stay strong.  Also, by spending his time volunteering at Misericordia, he doesn’t wallow in self-pity like he could do.  He still makes serving others a priority and puts others before himself at all times.  

just one step at a time.

One day at a time. That is all you have to do is face life, your dreams and all the challenges one day at a time.

So many times we can get caught up in the possible outcomes of the future that we become our own worst enemies. Huh? When we imagine all the possible negative outcomes and then let those dictate our picture of the future, we are not doing our dreams or ourselves any good.

There is no use worrying about things that haven't happened yet. This isn't to say that we shouldn't prepare for all possible outcomes. Knowing the potential negative outcome of any situation is a good thing; but to obsess, focus on the worry only about the negative outcomes takes us out of pragmatism and into negative life creation.

The balanced Seeker on The Path must consult the negative mind and the positive mind and let our neutral minds decide. To be too optimistic without the awareness of the possible negative outcomes can set us up for dramatic failure, as can being so negative about a potential outcome that that is all we focus on as well.

Balance is the key. Starting now is the engine and belief/faith is the fuel.

We meet the future one day and one challenge at a time. It is not wise to project a negative outcome towards the future, unless that is what you want to create. And no one really wants to create a negative outcome. Project positivity, be aware of negativity and reside in the neutrality of a calm mind.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, take a step back and breathe. Don't try to solve everything all at once. Instead, just take the next step. It's so easy to get overwhelmed by our dreams and all the things that "have to" happen, that we never start. One step forward is better than none. Persistence pays over time. Take one step a day and pretty soon you're well on your way.

Relax dear Seeker, let go a little. Don't worry about what will happen a week, a month or a year from now. Meet the present moment knowing that you are provided for and just take one step today. You don't have to climb that mountain all at once. Just one step at a time.

Love,

Mastin

the daily love. 

sixty things that are happening right now while you are reading this page.

1. Somebody is very proud of you.

2. Somebody is thinking of you.

3. Somebody is caring about you.

4. Somebody misses you.

5. Somebody wants to talk to you.

6. Somebody wants to be with you.

7. Somebody hopes you aren't in trouble.

8. Somebody is thankful for the support you have provided.

9. Somebody wants to hold your hand.

10. Somebody hopes everything turns out all right.

11. Somebody wants you to be happy.

12. Somebody wants you to find him/her.

13. Somebody is celebrating your successes.

14. Somebody wants to give you a gift.

15. Somebody thinks that you ARE a gift.

16. Somebody hopes you're not too cold, or too hot

17. Somebody wants to hug you.

18. Somebody loves you.

19. Somebody admires your strength.

20. Somebody is thinking of you and smiling.

21. Somebody wants to be your shoulder to cry on.

22. Somebody wants to go out with you and have a lot of fun.

23. Somebody thinks the world of you.

24. Somebody wants to protect you.

25. Somebody would do anything for you.

26. Somebody wants to be forgiven.

27. Somebody is grateful for your forgiveness.

28. Somebody wants to laugh with you.

29. Somebody remembers you and wishes that you were there.

30. Somebody is praising God for you.

31. Somebody needs to know that your love is unconditional.

32. Somebody values your advice.

33. Somebody wants to tell you how much they care.

34. Somebody wants to share their dreams with you.

35. Somebody wants to hold you in their arms.

36. Somebody wants YOU to hold them in your arms.

37. Somebody treasures your spirit.

38. Somebody wishes they could STOP time because of you.

39. Somebody praises God for your friendship and love.

40. Somebody can't wait to see you.

41. Somebody loves you for who you are.

42. Somebody loves the way you make them feel.

43. Somebody wants to be with you.

44. Somebody wants you to know they are there for you.

45. Somebody is glad that you're his/her friend.

46. Somebody wants to be your friend.

47. Somebody stayed up all night thinking about you.

48. Somebody is alive because of you.

49. Somebody is wishing that you noticed him/her.

50. Somebody wants to get to know you better.

51. Somebody wants to be near you.

52. Somebody misses your advice/guidance.

53. Somebody has faith in you.

54. Somebody trusts you.

55. Somebody needs your support.

56. Somebody needs you to have faith in them.

57. Somebody will cry when they read this.

58. Somebody needs you to let them be your friend.

59. Somebody hears a song that reminds them of you.

60. Somebody needs you to send them this to them.

mr. mom. 

Happy Father's Day!

twenty ways to make today unforgettable.

Try something totally new. – Variety truly is the spice of life.  You can see or do something a million times, but you can only see or do it for the first time once.  As a result, first time experiences usually leave a reflective mark in our minds for the rest of our lives.  So spice it up!

Entertain yourself with real-world experiences. – Great memories are the product of interesting life experiences.  So turn off the television (or the computer) and get outdoors.  Interact with the world, appreciate nature, take notice of the simple pleasures life has to offer, and just watch as life unfolds in front of you.  (Read 1001 Things To Do If You Dare.)

Work on something that’s meaningful to you. – Engage yourself in a meaningful personal project.  Or pull the trigger on doing something you’ve wanted to do for a long time, but haven’t yet had the resolve to do.  Life is short.  Today is the day to take action.

Challenge your mind and body. – Learn a new skill.  Be creative.  Build something from the ground up, no matter how small.  Run farther than you’ve ever run before.  Push yourself to the limits!

Concentrate on less, but give it your best. – Slow down.  Pay close attention to what you’re doing.  Don’t waste time juggling forgettable tasks.  Instead, concentrate on a few things that really matter.  Engage fully in this day.

Say “yes” to a spontaneous opportunity. – Everything in life can’t be planned.  Some of the greatest opportunities will knock on your door when you least expect them to.  Be flexible, be spontaneous, and just say “yes.”

Complete an important piece of unfinished business. – Today is a perfect day to finish what you started.  Few feelings are more satisfying than the one you get after an old burden has been lifted off of your shoulders.

Document your day. – Take lots of pictures.  Keep a journal.  Document your day so you can review it in the future.  Many moons from now, these old photos and journal entries will ignite your recollection of great memories from the past.

Smile and notice what’s right. – Everything that happens in life is neither good nor bad.  It just depends on your perspective.  And no matter how it turns out, it always ends up just the way it should.  Either you succeed or you learn something.  So stay positive, appreciate the pleasant outcomes, and learn from the rest.  (Read How Full Is Your Bucket?)

Be authentic.  Be true to yourself. – Judy Garland once said, “Always be a first rate version of yourself, instead of a second rate version of somebody else.”  Live by this statement.  There is no such thing as living a good day in someone else’s shoes.  The only shoes you can occupy are your own.  If you aren’t being yourself, you aren’t truly living… you’re merely existing.  And no day spent in a phony state of mere existence will ever be memorable or worthwhile.

Assist someone in need. – In life, you get what you put in.  When you make a positive impact in someone else’s life, you also make a positive impact in your own life.  Do something that’s greater than you, something that helps someone else to be happy or to suffer less.  I promise, it will be an extremely rewarding experience.  One you’ll likely remember forever.

Take part in something you believe in. – This could be anything.  Some people take an active role in their city council, some find refuge in religious faith, some join social clubs supporting causes they believe in and others find passion in their careers.  In each case the psychological outcome is the same.  They engage themselves in something they strongly believe in.  This engagement brings happiness and meaning into their lives.

Share time with a good friend and experience life together. – There are few things more satisfying than recounting the greatest moments of your life with your closest friends who lived these moments alongside you.

Make a new friend. – People are interesting creatures, and no two people are exactly alike.  So meet someone new today.  Find out what makes them tick.  They’ll likely open your eyes to fascinating ideas and perspectives.  And you never know, they just might change your life.

Do something fun and laugh it up. – Some of the most memorable moments in your life will be moments spent in laughter.  (Read This Book Will Change Your Life.)

Spend quality time with children. – Children live by their instincts openly and without hesitation.  They are enthusiastic about life, eager to learn, and curious about everything.  Watch how they play, how they live, how they create, how they ask questions.  Play with them.  If you have some of your own, great.  If not, play with a child you care about.  Lose yourself in the play.  Be a dinosaur, or a gorilla, or a superhero.  Make them squeal in delight, and feel free to do the same.  If you don’t play with children often, I guarantee it will be a memorable experience.

Forgive someone and reconnect with them. – Grudges are a perfect waste of happiness.  If there’s someone in your life who deserves another chance, give it to them.  If you need to apologize, do it.  Give your story together a happy ending.

Do something you’ve always wanted to do. – Take a small dream and make it a reality.

Act like today is already an awesome day. – Do so, and it will be.  Research shows that although we think that we act because of the way we feel, in fact, we often feel because of the way we act.  A great attitude always leads to great experiences.

Be present.  Be here now. – I purposely left this bullet for last because it perfectly encompasses all of my previous points.  Don’t let your life slip by.  Instead of dwelling on the past, or worrying about the future, just practice being and living in the ‘now.’  Remember, right now is the only moment guaranteed to you.  Right now is life.  Don’t miss it.

marc and angel hack life. 

go for it.

This is your time. Today you stand at a milestone in your life. Behind you are all the struggles and challenges you've conquered along the way. Before you lies a new horizon filled with thrilling possibilities. Today you choose the direction of your life. Go for it!

live as if you will die tomorrow and dream as if you will live forever.

"Do you ever feel like you've been holding back? Like you haven't laughed as hard as you know you can laugh and run as hard as you know you can run and sung the true song of your soul? This is your year. Immerse yourself in life. Have brownies for breakfast. Skate. Enjoy old people. Jump in the deep end. Work really hard. Give with reckless abandon. Paint something. Read a book you don't yet understand. Cry till your nose runs. Love with your whole heart. Lift your face to the sun."

i turn my swag on.

dear young me.

Dear Young Me,

Don't do anything different. Think of it as a learning experience. Become a better person because of it.

-Older Me

in twenty years, what do you want to remember?

because girl you've got it.

To the woman who is reading this:

If you are young, teenaged, middle-aged, elderly, wrinkled, freckled, light-skinned, dark-skinned, tall, short, curvy, petite…whatever….just know that the unique combination of those types of words is exactly what you are….UNIQUE.

Dear, you are BEAUTIFUL! I am amazed by you even though I have never met you. You have such a great smile, a light in your eyes, and a personality that is like an original work of art- it might try to be replicated, but it can never be the same. Media is WRONG; you are a well-made, strong, intelligent, lovely woman. Don’t forget that!

Remember that looks will fade and that people are not perfect; there is no such thing as “perfect beauty”, so don’t let anyone or anything tell you that you must be this, that, or the other to be considered beautiful and desirable. YOU ARE! Stop being so critical! You are fine the way that God made you, and someday, someone else will believe you are the mostly exquisitely crafted person put on this planet.

People that say mean or negative things are insecure of themselves and are threatened by your beauty….because girl you’ve got it! You are a MASTERPIECE! Tell yourself that each day. When you get ready to leave for school/work/wherever, look at yourself in the mirror and compliment yourself, buy pretty panties (they make a difference), feel sexy because you are sexy, do something for YOU every now and then, and when someone insults you, try your hardest to smile or even say a compliment back: a lovely and kind soul is a beauty that never fades or goes out of style.

So remember….you ARE beautiful…truly.

Sincerely,

Another Woman

letters i'll never send. 

thumbs up everybody.

go confidently in the direction of your dreams.