Every day

I've always been fascinated by homeless people: how they wander aimlessly with all their possessions in one grocery cart, and how food, water, shelter, and clothing are the most important needs they hope to get for the day. Putting aside mental illness from the picture, I think they have it better than most 9 to 5 laborers who work very hard so they can buy expensive things, have bills to pay, a mortgage, and a wardrobe to keep up with among so many other things. The contrast between the disgustingly rich and the modestly poor connects both ends of the spectrum, forming a perfect circle, representing the fullness of life here on earth.

How does one get to a happy medium?

I've discovered for myself that keeping it simple, and not looking at the outward appearance/circumstance of things really helps me realize that I am okay no matter what happens today. In my mind is the capacity and ability to be content, peaceful, calm, grounded, relaxed, and/or otherwise. Today is my day off, so do I really need to do anything to make it very meaningful and blog or tweet worthy? Lunch, a nap, and laundry all sound good to me. Whatever keeps my sanity is the best policy.

Today is whatever you want it to be, not what other people think it should be. It is an opportunity for both good and bad things to happen. And it is okay. It doesn't have to kill us or destroy us. You have the option to stop whatever is driving you crazy at any given time of day.

"I am good. I don't need to do anything more than what is."

If you are breathing well and laughing well, then you are living well. Things are simply accessories in our lives that can help enhance the sparkle that's already there, but we can totally do away with them and still remain brilliant, strong, and happy. Same goes for achievements, and other pats on the back we receive from overachieving or accomplishing feats of human folly. Life gives you a hug every single day you wake up, and tells you this day is yours to live. And like all gifts, you can do whatever you want with it, the giver does not want it back nor are you required to make it grow and make great use of it. A giver who expects results or things in return is a professional narcissist because the gift is all about them, how it will make them feel better, and how it makes them look better. We were given life without our permission/consent so we should not be pressured, expected, or mandated to make something out of it if we don't want to.

Today, I let go of the desire to pursue a regimented life of routine: eating or avoiding this particular food, drinking that particular supplement at this particular hour, habitually doing a specific exercise on set days, buying this, reading that, doing this, following that.

The basic rules of what's good and bad for us are not templates for success or happiness. It is all about keeping a sane mind, a full heart, and an able body that can meet whatever comes our way every single day.

The only thing we need to be afraid of is the pressure we put on ourselves to be somebody WE THINK EVERYONE ELSE LIKES US TO BE.

Be fearless. Every day.