Tag Archives: Barry Demp

Working with your hands nourishes your mind and your mood

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Working with your hands nourishes your mind and your mood

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Nadya Spetnitskaya

Engaging in hands-on activities — whether woodworking, gardening, baking, or even simple repairs — provides real and measurable benefits for both mind and mood.

Research shows that working with your hands can reduce anxiety and lower cortisol levels, the body’s stress hormone. Manual work often creates a state of “flow” where hours can pass without notice, offering nourishing mental breaks from screens and notifications.

It also fosters a sense of accomplishment, as you see and hold what you’ve created. Moreover, the tactical experience can uplift spirits and spark creativity, offering an accessible way to unwind and reset.

EXERCISE:

What are some practical ways you can incorporates manual tasks into your daily routines?

What are some creative activities that connect your hands to your heart that you can pursue to further nourish your life?

Friday Review: CHARACTER

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Friday Review: CHARACTER

What is your definition of character? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“People hear what we say but they see what we do and seeing is believing.”

 

 

 

 

“If there was no money, and everything depended on your moral standards, the way that you behave, and the way you treated people, how would you be doing in life?”

 

 

 

 

“Mystery reveals itself to those who maintain an openness of character.”

 

 

 

 

One moment can change a day

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“One moment can change a day, one day can change a life, and one life can change the world.”

—Author Unknown

 Image from Unsplash by Agê Barros

This nugget of wisdom reminds us that every second counts.

It’s easy to forget how powerful a single choice or act can be. Maybe, it’s a smile, a word of encouragement, or a decision to try something new.

Each moment holds the potential for renewal. When we embrace the present, we open doors to change — first in our own lives, then in the lives of those around us.

One inspired day can spark a journey of growth and as we support others, our actions ripple out, changing the world in ways we never imagined.

EXERCISE:

Engage each of your senses by naming five things you can see, four you can feel, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste.

This exercise directs your attention more fully to the present, heightening how quickly moments pass and encouraging greater appreciation of the now.

Walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet

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“Walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet.”

—Thich Nhat Hanh, late Vietnamese Buddhist monk, author, teacher

Image from Unsplash by Sandro Gonzalez

Today’s quote offers us a beautiful invitation to live with presence and gratitude.

Imagine each step you take as a gentle embrace, honoring the very ground that supports you. This simple shift can transform an ordinary walk into a mindful practice, a moment of connection with ourselves and the world around us.

Try moving a bit more slowly today — soften your steps, pay attention to the sensations underfoot, and let gratitude fill your heart for this beautiful planet we share. In doing so, we nurture not only the earth, but our spirit as well.

EXERCISE:

Take a slow barefoot walk today. Try exploring different surfaces such as grass, sand, or carpet, and reflect with gratitude on all the good things in your life.

Hope is like the sun

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“Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts a shadow of our burden behind us.”

—Samuel Smiles, Victorian-era British author and Government reformer

Image from Unsplash by Martino Pietropoli

Hope is a powerful force, much like the sun. When we walk in hope, our focus shifts forward, towards possibility and light.

The struggles we carry — worry, fear, and pain, begin to trail behind us, no longer blocking our path.

By keeping our eyes on hope, we allow the warmth of possibility and progress to melt away the grip of our burdens.

It’s not that challenges vanish, but their power to overshadow our journey lessens. Just as the sun’s rising light pushes the darkness behind us, hope invites us to move boldly and optimistically into the future, letting our burdens stay where they belong: in the shadows, not in our way.

EXERCISE:

Commit to doing one small kind act a day for someone else.

Helping others generates positivity and builds a hopeful outlook.

Afterwards, reflect on how these actions made you and those you helped feel lighter.

Take perfection off its pedestal

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Take perfection off its pedestal and focus on getting good at making repairs when things go wrong or break.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Ricardo Viana

We’ve all been taught to bow at the altar of perfection — flawless performances, impeccable resumes, and gourmet meals without a burnt edge.

But what if our obsession with perfection is costing us more than we gain?

The truth is, perfection is fragile, distant, and downright unattainable. Every misstep feels catastrophic, every scar a failure.

Life is messy. Things crack, plans unravel, mistakes happen.

The real skill isn’t preventing these inevitabilities, but embracing the art of repair. Get good at mending what’s broken — your projects, your relationships, even you own confidence. The world rewards those who adapt, not those who freeze in fear of imperfection.

Perfection is a myth; resilience is real. Embrace and pursue your ability to fix what breaks, and watch your world become less fragile and far more interesting.

EXERCISE:

Choose a current project, relationship, or habit that feels flawed and “broken.” Instead of starting over or giving up, commit to one intentional act of repair, such as a clarifying conversation, a small course correction, or a gesture of kindness.

Friday Review: Career

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Friday Review: Career

Consider your career thus far. Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“We have never arrived. We are in a constant state of becoming.”

 

 

 

 

“Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, maybe you should set up a life you don’t need to escape from.”

 

 

 

 

 

“All the arts are apprenticeship. The big art is our life.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you do not change direction

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“If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.”

—Lao Tzu, 1st Century Chinese Philosopher

Image from Unsplash by Possessed Photography

To what degree are you living life on autopilot?

We often set a course early — in our careers, habits, even our mindset — and forget to check our compass.

But what if our path leads to burnout instead of fulfillment? Stagnation instead of growth?

Small course corrections today can lead to wildly different destinations tomorrow.

Momentum is powerful but it’s direction that determines destiny.

Take the wheel, check your maps, and don’t be afraid to turn around. Sometimes, the most successful journeys begin with a U-turn.

EXERCISE:

Where is the momentum of life taking you in the wrong direction?

Where can you hit the brakes and turn the wheel to travel a road far better suited for you?

The way to right wrongs

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“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.”

—Ida B. Wells-Barnett, 20th Century American investigative journalist/sociologist

Image from Unsplash by Alex Shute

The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them are powerful words that scream with urgency today more than ever.

In a world full of spin, silence, and selective truths, we often forget that real change starts with a courageous spotlight.

Whether in our relationships, workplaces, or social systems, truth is the foundation of transformation.

But here’s the catch: shinning that light often makes people uncomfortable. It disturbs the status quo. It demands accountability.

But without truth, wrongs remain hidden, and healing never begins.

EXERCISE:

Where in your life are you being called to speak the truth, even when it’s hard?

Where can and will you shine the light of truth to illuminate the darkness in your world?

If you go deeper and deeper into your own heart, you’ll be living in

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“If you go deeper and deeper into your own heart, you’ll be living in a world with less fear, isolation and loneliness.”

—Sharon Salzberg, Buddhist meditation teacher and author

Image from Unsplash by Ryan O’Niel

Our quote today invites us on an inner journey — a gentle nudge toward self-discovery and self-compassion.

Our fast-paced world often disconnects us from our own hearts, feeding fear and loneliness. But when we pause, reflect, and truly listen to ourselves, something shifts.

We uncover courage, warmth, and a sense of belonging that radiates outward.

By embracing our vulnerabilities rather that running from them, we connect more authentically with ourselves and others. The results? Less fear, more connection, and a life rooted in meaning.

Dive into your heart. It’s not just self-care — it’s the path to a more compassionate and connected world.

EXERCISE:

In what ways can you explore your own heart more deeply to live a life with far less fear, isolation, and loneliness?

Consider discussing this topic with friends and family to take your exploration even further.