awaken truth

You are not your work product. You’re not the hours you spend laboring, nor are you the end result.

The most meaningful use of your time isn’t found by squeezing the greatest possible productivity from your minutes. It’s far more critical to appreciate the your natural rhythm and truly respect it.

Yes, the world around you will keep racing. It will beckon you to take part in the madness, but refuse to align yourself with that dance.

The temptation will run deep, but you must never allow comparison with others to become your benchmark for living. Doing so will only lead you to dire places – places that sap your sense of hope and confidence.

The lies – they won’t stop coming. But when you choose to have a say in the matter, I can assure you, those lies ultimately cannot overpower the truths.

bakeshop

[adapted from green kitchen stories' 

thin oat and ginger crisps]

idealism

The idealism you possess isn't meant to torture you. In truth, it's meant to set you free. It's designed to release you from the notion that this current reality is all that can and will ever be.

No matter how many people try to tame that idealism within you, you must continue to see its beauty. You must fight powerfully for the visions your idealism awakens within you. Through those very visions, you can and will transform the world.

branch out

Some days, branching out will translate to that simple act of trying a new ingredient.

[jungle peanuts]

conflict

You'll find yourself continually astounded by the horrendous way people treat others. At times, you may be the target of such behavior. You will experience pain. You will want to lash back at the source. Though it will be challenging, you must take an entirely unforeseen route.

Refuse to play that game. Let your words and actions instead be prompted by unmistakable love. In doing so, you'll challenge both yourself and those around you to deeper growth by a most unexpected means.

the story of today

Each day of your life will be profoundly shaped by the dialogue you allow to take hold of your mind.

What are the stories you choose to tell yourself?

Do you choose to celebrate the little things, declaring their inherent worth through your sense of appreciation and joy?

Or, do you choose to deprive the ordinary moments of significance, detesting their seeming smallness?

Those thoughts -- whichever you choose -- will dramatically inform your day.

So, choose wisely.

today

In pursuit of your long-term vision, take care to not deprive yourself of the ability to be fully present today.