Friday Review: Acceptance
What is the hardest part of acceptance for you? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“Accept this moment as if you had chosen it.”
Friday Review: Acceptance
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Tag Archives: Barry Demp
My inside age is timeless
“My inside age is timeless. I’m every age I’ve ever been.”
—Anne Lamott, American novelist, essayist, and political activist
Image from Unsplash by Joel & Jasmin Fǿrestbird
I’m not just one age — I’m every age I’ve ever been, all at once.
Inside me lives the curiosity of my childhood, the boundless potential of my teens, the restless ambitions of my twenties, and the quiet wisdom of now.
Time doesn’t cage me; it layers me.
My inside age is timeless, a kaleidoscope of moments, emotions, and experiences that refuse to fade.
To be every age simultaneously is to live beyond the limits society tries to impose.
Who says you have to grow up or grow old?
EXERCISE:
Consider yourself all the rings of an ancient oak tree where each year of your life forms a new layer visible only when you look beneath the surface.
In doing this, you can examine every storm and ray of sunshine that has brought you to today.
“Helping is the sunny side of control.”
“Helping is the sunny side of control.”
—Anne Lamott, American novelist, essayist, and political activist
Image from Unsplash by Thomas Gaertner
Offering help can seem positive, but when it’s used as a subtle form of control, it brings real risk.
Over-helping can undermine a person’s autonomy, robbing them of the chance to learn and grow through their own experiences. This can foster dependency, making it harder for people to solve problems on their own and eroding their confidence.
Relationships may suffer too, as recipients feel patronized or resentful, while “helpers” risk burnout and can lose their sense of self.
Blurred boundaries often follow, making it tough to tell genuine support from intrusive interference.
Ultimately, even well-intended help can harm both giver and receiver if it crosses the line.
EXERCISE:
Where in your world do you notice the not so sunny side of helping others?
How can you make sure your assistance empowers instead of controls others in your personal and professional communities?
Food, Try to do a little better
“Food, Try to do a little better.”
——Anne Lamott, American novelist, essayist, and political activist
Image from Unsplash by Emanuel Ekström
Food is much more than fuel for our bodies — it’s a powerful connector of culture, memory, and emotion. Every meal tells a story, reflecting traditions, family bonds, and personal creativity.
Good food nourishes not only the body but also the soul, bringing comfort and joy. It has the unique ability to bring people together, sparking conversation and celebration.
Yet, food also challenges us to do better — choosing healthier, sustainable options that respect both our well-being and the planet.
When we say “Food, try to do better” it’s a call to be mindful to emphasize quality, embrace diversity, reduce waste, and appreciate the journey from farm to our tables.
In every bite lies an opportunity to nourish ourselves and the world around us.
EXERCISE:
Consider watching the Netflix movie, Nonnas.
It’s a heartwarming story of an Italian restaurant staffed by grandmothers, bringing authentic family recipes to life and creating a new sense of community through food.
Your way of being in the world
Your way of being in the world has a profound influence on yourself and those around you.
—Calm App Reflection
Image from Unsplash by Marcos Paulo Prado
Your way of being in the world profoundly shapes not only your own life but also the lives of those around you.
Every thought, action, and attitude creates ripples that influence your environment.
When you approach life with kindness, openness, and positivity, you foster trust and inspire others to do the same. Conversely, negativity or indifference can create barriers and dampen the energy of those nearby.
Your presence — how you listen, respond, and engage — sets the tone for relationships and community.
By cultivating self-awareness and embracing empathy, you become a powerful force for positive change.
Your way of being is not just a personal journey — it’s a shared experience that impacts the world in meaningful ways.
Choose to be a light that uplifts and connects.
EXERCISE:
What role does self-awareness play in shaping your way of being? How can you apply these insights to have a more positive influence on others in your various communities?
Friday Review: WORRY
Friday Review: WORRY
How often do you consider or question the benefits of worrying? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“Worry compounds the futility of being trapped on a dead-end street. Thinking opens up new avenues.”
“Worry is just imagination used in an unproductive way.”
“I have lived a long life and had many troubles, most of which never happened.”
Sometimes in life even though it’s not your fault
“Sometimes in life, even though it’s not your fault, it’s still your problem.”
—Steve McKee, Founder of a nationally recognized marketing advisory firm
Image from Unsplash by Karla Hernandez
Life often throws challenges our way that aren’t our fault — but that doesn’t mean they aren’t our problem to solve.
Whether it’s a family crisis, workplace conflict, or unexpected setback, we may find ourselves responsible for navigating the fallout.
This reality teaches resilience accountability beyond blame. Taking ownership, even when undeserved, empowers us to find solutions, grow stronger, and maintain control over our reactions.
Sometimes, the path forward requires us to carry burdens not of our making.
Embracing this mindset transforms obstacles into opportunities for personal growth and leadership, reminding us that how we respond defines us more that the circumstances themselves.
EXERCISE:
How do you cope with problems that aren’t your fault? What role could greater emotional resilience play in handling these situations?
“Each day awaits you to give it life.”
“Each day awaits you to give it life.”
—Author Unknown
Image from Unsplash by Sonja Langford
Today’s quote comes from a recent post from https://www.chabad.org/ on the idea of “living time.”
It mentions the ideas of “wasting time” or even “killing time,” which it refutes.
It suggests that time does not belong to us and we can’t waste it.
It further has us consider that time doesn’t have a life of its own that we can take away.
It does, however, emphasis that time awaits us to give it life.
EXERCISE:
In what ways do you intend to give life to the time that awaits you today?
Persistence isn’t just continuing to try
“Persistence isn’t just continuing to try — it’s the runway that gives your talent time to take off.”
—Shane Parrish, Author of Farnam Street Blog
Image from Unsplash by Daniel Eldest
Persistence isn’t just about stubbornly trying again and again — it’s the runway that gives our talent the time and space to take off.
Think of your dreams and skills as a plane without enough runway. Even the most powerful engines can’t lift you into the sky.
It’s showing up, learning, and growing through every setback.
Over time, those steady efforts compound, and suddenly, what once seemed impossible becomes second nature.
EXERCISE:
What are some real-life examples of persistence that have lead you to success? How did adjusting your course along the way help your efforts take flight?
When we experience beauty and wonder
When we experience beauty and wonder our souls feel at home in the world.
—Calm App Reflection
Image from Unsplash by Simon Wilkes
It’s in those moments — watching a sunset paint the sky, hearing a delicate song of a bird, or marveling at the intricate patterns of a flower — that we reconnect with something deeper within ourselves.
Beauty awakens our senses, and wonder opens our hearts, reminding us that life is filled with magic and meaning beyond the ordinary.
This feeling of belonging, of being part of a larger harmonious whole, soothes our restless minds and nourishes our spirits.
In embracing beauty and wonder, we find peace, joy, and a profound sense of connection that makes the world feel like a welcoming home for our souls.
EXERCISE:
What are some everyday moments that evoke a sense of wonder in you? Where does beauty that enriches and fills your soul show up in your world?