Opinion

Be honest: Would you rather reform others than reform yourself? Hopefully you’re too busy working on your own grass to notice if his is greener.

Do you find yourself struggling to make progress when you are pursuing your life goals? How many days did you manage to make it to the gym?  Hey, exercise gives you energy, but you need energy to exercise. Sounds like a pyramid scheme to me. Did you learn as many hours as you committed yourself to? Have you finished that homework assignment yet? You know that homework is the teacher’s way to find out how smart parents are. Believe it or not, you may have to actually surrender control. Try making a long-term plan, and then take it in small bites. Personally, I speak my mind because it hurts to bite my tongue.

You have the power to hurt someone. Do you occasionally ignore the rules of politeness and good manners? You know what they say: Good manners – the noise you don’t make when you’re eating soup. But truly, humans are not invulnerable deities, sweet friends. We can all be pained by a comment about our less-than-perfect selves. Yes, even you.

Try not to use too much force, my friends. It is exhausting and actually does not get you far. Save your energy and seek the power of flexibility and softness instead. Be patient and forgiving. Society offers truckloads of injunctions for you. Be young and beautiful forever, they say. You look beautiful today. Is that a new Instagram filter you’re wearing? Get rich quick, they say. Speaking of getting rich… Why did G-d create stock analysts? In order to make weather forecasters look good. A study of economics usually reveals that the best time to buy anything was last year. Oh, and why did the financial system collapse in ancient Egypt? Pyramid schemes. I know, I know.

When your baby needs something, you may go right on ahead and guess. Typically, mothers will get it right. Need to wake up your baby? Quietly go into your room and rest your head on your pillow. That’ll do it. And why don’t kids understand that their nap is not for them, it’s for us? But truly, do not allow that reality to set expectations for the rest of your life. Do you believe that anyone who cares about you should be able to determine your deepest needs? You are not alone, sweet friends.

What are you nervous about? How do you deal with your anxiety? We often try to fight these feelings, but ironically this may lead to more tension. Living in the fear-based world that the media continues to encourage makes it nearly impossible for many not to feel alarm and even panic about their health.