Success for Everyone

Too often, perhaps instinctively, we think of success as a finite resource like water - in limited supply and once claimed there's less for everyone else. 

While success means different things to different people it isn't a finite resource. Instead of being jealous of other people's successes we ought to be supportive of them as there's nothing stopping us from also achieving success for ourselves.

If you're not competing, and are fortunate enough to live in a country with rights, then the only person stopping you from winning is yourself.

Directed Thoughts

"Once you learn to read, you will be forever free."

-Frederick Douglass

The mind, when left to wonder, usually goes towards what's known to it - our memories. Through this process we either generate new ideas or reminisce. Either can be good (to reminisce about past negativity isn't) yet reading help us learn new things.

"By three methods we may learn wisdom. First, by reflection, which is the noblest, by imitation, which is easiest, and third, by experience, which is the bitterest."

-Confucius

There's some wisdom that we can gain simply by thinking but we're limited. It's no possible, for example, to think ourselves into understanding a new language. We need to be exposed to it in order to learn it.

If your boredom isn't beneficial then consider picking up a book.

Putting the "Humanity" back in...

We've created a society that is making us sick; We work sitting, we eat junk, we isolate ourselves, we're exposed to toxic chemicals... 

To remedy the situation, we're offered various medication.

We don't need medication as much as we need to go back to the drawing board and build a society that better support the human condition instead of attempting to remove or make it sick. Who, for example, determined that it was acceptable to have toxic chemicals in our products? 

I shouldn't be required to read a food label to determined if the food is toxic or not...

We're so keen in removing humans from the equation that companies have replaced many of them with A.I.* even before it was ready for primetime. Efficiency and profit takes precedents over decency and health. 

We've reached a point where we need to ask ourselves what sort of future we want to live in as the one that's being proposed by our current society doesn't seem to want us in it.

*Yes, I understand the irony of using A.I. generated images while making this statement...

Nagging Spouse

"A spouse can be your greatest ally or your most formidable adversary-chose daily which one you'll be."

-Unknown

Having a nagging/adversary/confrontational partner may be forgiven when we're attracted to them but it becomes increasingly difficult to deal with as the attractiveness fades. If a relationship is a boat then both have to row in unison in order to get anywhere.

Does nagging someone ever get anywhere?

Self improvement is one of the most difficult things to do even when we're inspired or encouraged to do so... Do we really believe that anyone can change simply by being angry at them? Change has to come from within and while a spouse can help they certainly can't force anyone, but themselves, to change.

There's nothing wrong with voicing out our concerns but if it's constant then it could be a problem with you.

Clean Mind Clean House

 “Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world.”

-Jordan B. Peterson

Organizing a room isn’t something that comes naturally to me. It’s not until I started reading on a regular basis that I’ve been able to figure out ways to organize my place better.
There's a connection between messy thoughts and messy rooms that I only found through reading: Organized thoughts makes organized houses. 

It starts from the inside out.

Our minds is like a pile of dirty laundry. With time and dedication we're able to understand it for what it is and sort pieces of it out.

When it comes to organizing a house, the same logic applies. We need to be able to analyze a place and set it up in a way that make sense based on the layout and the things we own. It needs to be setup in such a way that when we require an item in the future we know where to look for it. Books should be on the bookshelf, batteries should be in the box, clothes should be in the closet... each item has it's place and they'll be easier to find if grouped with similar items.