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Tag: Analogies

Out With The Old

Published on June 30, 2021

Like a dresser filled with old clothes, you have to let go of the old in order to make room for the new. If you feel like you have no time or space to do new things—things of interest to you—maybe it’s because your dressers are full.

This doesn’t mean you need to be done with something just because it’s old. Just that you should carefully inspect everything old—as you would if you were clearing out your belongings.

But, don’t let your possessive side take over.

  • That shirt you haven’t worn in over a year? It’s probably time to part ways.
  • Those jeans you had forgotten all about? Obviously weren’t missed when they were gone.
  • Your favorite button-up that you haven’t worn since it got stained? Yup, time to move on.

Being possessive is instinctual. We want to hold on closely to all that we’ve acquired. But, the more we hold on to, the more we become held down. The more we stuff our drawers will the old, the less space we’ll have for anything new. And the more stubborn we are with our current lifestyle, the harder it will be to upgrade to any kind of a new one.

Moving Forward In Darkness And In Light

Published on June 24, 2021

Observing—even learning from—other people’s mistakes can illuminate a path forward for you.

But, having your path illuminated is much different than trudging through the darkness yourself.

Use both to keep moving forward, but don’t expect one to act as a substitute for the other.

Some lessons can only be learned in the dark. And some roads are too hazardous to travel without light.

When Arguments Are Needed

Published on June 22, 2021

With vulnerability and authenticity, arguments aren’t needed—genuine connection happens seamlessly.

When walls are built around emotions and facades cover feelings, arguments act as the storms that tear down those “fronts” to finally expose what’s fortified underneath:

Vulnerability and authenticity.

Where Best Moments Come

Published on June 21, 2021

I find that the best moments often closely follow the worst ones.

  • The moments of compassion that closely follow pain.
  • The moments of gratitude that closely follow grieving.
  • The moments of redemption that closely follow injustice.
  • The moments of decision that closely follow breaking points.
  • The moments of vulnerability that closely follow heated arguments.
  • The moments of presence that closely follow run ins with death.

If you find yourself in some of your worst moments, hang on. Allow the depth of the experience to move through you. Let it deepen your roots into the ground.

Remember that, eventually, your worst moments will be no more. They will pass as all moments do—best and worst alike. And, more solid into the ground, you will be able to reach higher into the sky than ever before.

How do I know this? Because it’s how great heights are only ever reached. Not in spite of the worst moments—as a result of them. Not without deepened roots—precisely because of them.

Where Ripples Ripple Best

Published on June 19, 2021

Where’s the best place to make a pond ripple?

Answer: there isn’t one.

Where’s the best place to make a difference?

Answer: there isn’t one.

Right where you are is as good as any.

Just start turning your ideas into actions and toss them into the pond.

The ripples will follow.

The Creators Of Tide

Published on June 17, 2021 
Every act of creation
 adds a drop to the tide

 every compliment made from nothing
      every thank you properly shared
 every smile gifted to another
      every work of art created with care
 every loving embrace
      every bridge made from here and there

 adds a drop to the tide
 that lifted us from down there


 Every act of destruction
 takes from the tide

 every comparison made
      every expectation shared
 every frown imposed upon another
      every opportunity for work, done without care
 every embrace avoided
      every bridge burned leaving some here, some there

 takes from the tide
 that lowered us from up there


 From nothing to something
 we are the creators of tide

 From something back to nothing
 oh, don’t you damn hide

 It’s you and it’s me and it’s all of us together
      creating and destroying
      lifting and lowering
      caring and not caring
 that results in the tide that we
      like it or not
 all have to share

If You’re Miserable, It’s Not Sustainable

Published on June 15, 2021

“The MOST IMPORTANT feature of a sustainable habit: You don’t hate doing it.”

Mark Palmer, Twitter

This doesn’t mean you have to love doing each of your daily habit tasks, just that you don’t hate doing them—there’s a difference.

Moving even one tick back from “miserable” to “don’t like it,” can remarkably lengthen your habit’s lifespan and prevent you from burning out altogether.

Like when you move one tick back from “red zone” to “yellow zone” while running. That minor pace adjustment can give your legs a major boost in life. And you’ll last far longer than you ever would’ve if you stayed in “red.”

While “red” is what moves you fast, “yellow” is what takes you far.

This is how I approach all sustainable habits. Fast isn’t what I’m after—far is what I want. The question I often ask myself is, “How can I make this more like an enjoyable run and less like an all out sprint?”

And I move things a tick back wherever I find myself in “red.” Similarly, I move things a tick forward wherever I find myself in a “green.” Because being in “green,” of course, doesn’t take you anywhere far or fast. It keeps you comfortable where you are.

And even though I don’t like being uncomfortable, I make sure that what I’m doing never makes me miserable. Because not only is “miserable” bad for the run—it’s bad for all future runs! And if you want to go far, going in misery is no way to go.