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11801.  According to Owen( Cook), he sees happiness in my eyes . . . and that I should take a dance or improv class;

11802.  I can say I’ve gamed/gone out with Owen( Cook);

11803.  You can love a person wholly without having to love all of him/her;

11804.  The notion of unconditional love is a myth.  Adult love lives in the realm of ambivalence, which means that relational ambivalence is part and parcel of all our relationships.  We have it with our parents, our siblings, our friends, which means that we continuously have to integrate contradictory feelings and thoughts between love and hate, between excitement and fear, between envy and contempt, between boredom and aliveness.  It’s, you continuously negotiating these contradictions, that ambivalence and living with that ambivalence is actually a sign of maturity rather than continuously evaluating;

11805.  The idea that you will be accepted unconditionally is a dream we have for our parents when we are babies.  It’s not part of adult love;

11806.  How do we set ourselves up for the best relationship(s) upfront?  There is no “one and only,” there is one person that you choose at a certain moment in time.  And with that person, you try to create the most beautiful relationship you can, but you could have done it with others.  Timing is involved.  Lots of things are involved.  But there is no “one and only;”

11807.  There is no soulmate.  Soulmate is God.  You can think that you have a soulmate connection with someone, that you have a deep, deep meeting of the minds, of the souls, of the heart, of the bodies.  But it’s a metaphor.  It’s not a person.  It’s the quality of an experience that feels like soulmates.  There is no unconditional love.  We live with ambivalence in our deepest love relationships.  There are things we like and things we don’t and things they like about us and things they don’t.  And moments they can’t be without us.  And moments where they wish, on occasion, they could be away from us.  That’s normal;

11808.  Distance is very important in a relationship.  Every relationship straddles freedom and commitment.  Togetherness and separateness.  Connection and independence.  In every relationship, there is often one person who is more inclined to the connection and one person who is more inclined for the separateness.  One person is more afraid of losing the other and one person is more afraid of losing him/herself.  One person is more in touch with the fear of abandonment and one person is more in touch with the fear of suffocation.  We all have both.  But we organize our relationship in which one of us will take on the role of this duality.  So we need connection and we need distance.  We need the things that are joint and together and we need the things that are separate.  The separateness doesn’t mean that there is deadness in the relationship.  So when you ask how long can we be apart, it depends on what you do with the space in between.  If you keep the space in between alive when you are away;

11809.  The University of Virginia sits on plantation land that belonged to James Monroe;

11810.  James Monroe was one of the founding board members of the University of Virginia;

11811.  When his presidency ended, James Monroe lived/resided at Monroe Hill now included in the grounds of the University of Virginia;

11812.  James Madison was the second rector of the University of Virginia.  He was appointed in 1826 after the death of Thomas Jefferson;

11813.  The thing about people who mean everything they say; they thing everyone else does too;

11814.  I can say I’ve been to a reception at a Smithsonian museum(, specifically “An Evening with President Jim Ryan” at the National Museum of American History);

11815.  If you take a sip of coffee and have to sneeze, the coffee’s going straight out of your nose;

11816.  Life hack: Salad (especially with a protein) makes a good filler for a burrito, sandwich or wrap;

11817.  If you have a craving for prime rib, on Tuesdays from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, the Light Horse Restaurant & Bar (TheLightHorseRestaurant.com) in (Old Town) Alexandria has a $20.00, (16 oz.) prime rib special;

11818.  “Kirk” is “church” in Scottish/northern English;

11819.  If a restaurant does not have good bread don’t bother with the cake;

11820.  You need to make your own tartar sauce to be considered a high-end seafood restaurant;

11821.  Dogs can eat acai in small quantities; however, acai contains theobromine, the same ingredient in dark chocolate that causes chocolate poisoning;

11822.  If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it;

11823.  If you don’t ask, the answer will always be no;

11824.  If you don’t step forward, you’ll stay in the same place;

11825.  Apparently, dogs should not eat pumpkin pie.  Pumpkin pie is high in sugar and fat, which can upset a dog’s stomach, especially for small dogs.  Pumpkin pie contains seasonings like nutmeg, which can be toxic to dogs.  Pumpkin pie filling also contains condensed milk, which can upset a dog’s stomach;

11826.  Turbinado (sugar) is a type of sugar that still contains some of its natural molasses, giving it its brown-blond color and light caramel flavor;

11827.  Rotary engines do not have (any) pistons;

11828.  Gillian Welch says her heart soars when someone cheers for the banjo;

11829.  David Rawlings believes no one would ever steal a banjo;

11830.  Meghan (Wallen) really likes icing.  She said she’ll eat the icing off doughnuts and cakes and leave the rest;

11831.  Relationships matter.  Some have a shelf life and others grow through your entire life;

11832.  What we hold in, holds us back;

11833.  What we are afraid to face minimizes our future;

11834.  It takes work, but it doesn’t have to be a grind.  Work ethic is part of the equation, but leads to burnout without clarity and collaboration;

11835.  Don’t let one thing define you: how you look, the size of your house, your car, your awards or accolades.  Those things don’t bring sustained happiness especially if you are trying to prove something to someone else.  Trying to prove something to someone else may be motivating initially, but it leads to bitterness and anger, fed by a feeling of lack, of scarcity;

11836.  Stay open.  Listen to your intuition.  Ask for support.  Ask better questions, more questions.  Not learned, but learning.  Not educated, but educating.  Not arrived, but present . . . in the moment;

11837.  I can say I’ve made out in the backseat of a car( specifically a Jaguar F-Pace);

11838.  The wrong philosophy combined with hard work limits impact.  It is a grind.  There is a reward, but it is limited;

11839.  If you want to play an exponential game, focus on value.  Add more value.  Grow your value;

11840.  Who helps you to see your potential?  What is holding you back from living your potential and turning it into profit?  Is it a bad partnership?  Procrastination?  Lack of mentors?  Lack of a community?  Scarcity?

11841.  Labor does not equal wealth.  You can work hard and not get ahead at the rate of inflation.  Or you can scrimp to save money only to have it lost to inflation as well.  Value equals wealth.  How you create it, how you store it, and how you understand it.  Value is the key;

11842.  Wealth is in the in between.  In between our ears certainly.  But also in between the events, the busyness that robs wealth.  Wealth happens in the moments and space of life.  In fun.  In fulfillment.  In freedom.  Freedom of choice.  Freedom of time.  Freedom to live where you want.  Freedom to work with who you want, when you want.  Freedom to provide, to create and to take a trip without feeling (or worrying about) the financial effects;

11843.  Some people step from moment to moment, event to event, with the inconvenience and effort draining life.  Doing too much on their own to save money at the expense of time and energy.  However, those with resources can focus on efficiency and become more effective.  The wealthiest people have more support.  This creates leverage of their greatest gifts and value.  The team matters.  Those who have a great team have earned ways to focus on the most productive things.  And for the truly wealthy, this means finding time to enjoy life along the way.  (Some just do more work even though they rarely, if ever, enjoy the fruits of their labor);

11844.  Some of the richest people rarely have a free moment or time for themselves because it is all about more.  They work to fill a void from earlier years with money, accolades and net worth.  Hoping to have respect or prove themselves or relieve their pain.  But this doesn’t mean they are fulfilled.  From the outside, it may seem this way.  But when it is only about more, more can destroy relationships, diminishes and discounts wins and drowns out the special things that money cannot buy;

11845.  As Coco Chanel famously said, “The best things in life are free, the second best are very, very expensive;”

11846.  You can earn money, but you can also earn happiness and the path may not always align;

11847.  When money becomes the reason or excuse for not having time, for not being present, for providing money over memories . . . when it becomes profits over people or a relentless pursuit at the expense of love, we lose.  The good news, it isn’t an either/or;

11848.  Money follows value.  It chases value.  Money doesn’t give a shit about effort.  Effort isn’t the key or determining factor;

11849.  Thinking is hard work.  Hiring people and developing skills can be difficult, but not as difficult as doing everything yourself.  The intelligent adage of smart work and hard work, but not hard and isolated work.  Collaboration is the key to value, to prosperity.  Scarcity and the consumer condition confuses people, causing them to think labor or time equal money;

11850.  The hustle culture spouts that we must sacrifice (family, memories, love) to have more money.  Again, there are those who earn it by giving up all other areas of life, but that isn’t required.  It will hold you back;

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11751.  Every new skill, every business breakthrough, every personal transformation, all reside in that gap between who you were and who you could become not in the space of exhaustion and overwhelm;

11752.  Reframe your relationship with discomfort as you progress through the year.  See it not as an obstacle, but as a signpost pointing toward your next level of growth.  Your future more resilient, more successful, more fulfilled, self is waiting on the other side of that discomfort;

11753.  Embrace the challenge.  Trust in your ability to grow.  And, remember, discomfort isn’t just part of the journey, it’s often the purest sign you’re on the right path;

11754.  The most successful people don’t just tolerate discomfort.  They actively seek it out.  They’ve learned to turn discomfort into their superpower;

11755.  3 strategies to transform discomfort into a continued springboard for success: 1.  Reframe Your Perspective: Instead of seeing discomfort as something to avoid, start viewing it as a signal that you’re on the right track.  When you feel that familiar twinge of unease or anxiety, smile.  It means you’re pushing your boundaries and growing; 2.  Practice Intentional Discomfort: Don’t wait for discomfort to find you.  Seek it out in small, manageable doses.  Take on a challenging project.  Have that difficult conversation.  Learn a new skill.  By regularly stepping out of your comfort zone, you’re building your resilience muscle; and 3.  Reflect and Celebrate: After each bout of discomfort, take a moment to reflect.  What did you learn?  How did you grow?  Celebrate these small victories.  They’re the building blocks of your future success;

11756.  Your adult self understands the value of this process.  But your child or teen might still resist.  That’s okay.  Acknowledge those parts of yourself then gently remind them of the growth that awaits on the other side of discomfort;

11757.  I can say I’ve seen Scott Bakula (i.e., Sam Beckett from “Quantum Leap”, Jonathan Archer from “Star Trek: Enterprise” and Dwayne Pride from “NCIS: New Orleans”) perform live( as Abraham Lincoln);

11758.  Abraham Lincoln served in the state militia during the Black Haw War, but saw no combat;

11759.  Abraham Lincoln served as the postmaster for New Salem;

11760.  Abraham Lincoln was not a member of any organized religion, but he did (read and) believe in the Bible;

11761.  I am very much a visual learner.  I need to see examples.  I don’t understand as well from hearing things and being lectured to;

11762.  Alexa Landestoy, Al Koken and Rachel Nichols look different in person than they do on television;

11763.  Nicklas Backstrom said, when he first came to the (Washington) Capitals, he, Mike Green, Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Semin used to hang out a lot outside of the (ice hockey) rink;

11764.  Alexander Ovechkin says he doesn’t remember anything that happened when the (Washington) Capitals won the Stanley Cup;

11765.  Besides family events, Alexander Ovechkin said winning the Stanley Cup was the best feeling ever;

11766.  Apparently, Alexander Ovechkin isn’t superstitious about touching the Stanley Cup;

11767.  According to Stephan Jenkins(, the lead singer for “Third Eye Blind”), Alex LeCavalier (the bassist for “Third Eye Blind”) is a huge hockey fan;

11768.  According to Steve(n) Oleksy(, the former Washington Capitals forward), he’d rather play at Capital One Arena than Little Caesars Arena and he’s from Detroit(, Michigan);

11769.  I can say I’ve seen been at a bar (specifically District E) with Troy Brouwer, Eric Fehr, Rod Langway, Steve(n) Oleksy, Jeff Schultz, David Steckel and 20-some (Washington) Capitals alumni;

11770.  Chicken and waffles is messy arena food.  I’m talking about you, maple syrup;

11771.  It stands to reason, then, that to be witty, we need to be unconventional and unexpected in how we use language;

11772.  The comic triple surprises people because where they might expect a list to contain only 1 sentiment, the comic triple contains 2 and the 2 sentiments couldn’t be more different;

11773.  (Rebecca is right,) the smoked, creamy, chicken salad sandwich at Sweet Fire Donna’s in (Old Town) Alexandria is better with bacon;

11774.  Journaling provides the opportunity to learn new lessons from old experiences.  Reading your old journal entries is a bit like reading a great book for a second time.  You pick up on new sentences and see the past in a different way.  Only this time, you are re-reading the story of your life;

11775.  Journaling sharpens your memory.  Time will change your face without you noticing, but it will also change your thoughts without you realizing it.  Our beliefs shift slowly as we gain experience and journal entries have the ability to freeze your thoughts in time.  Seeing an old picture of yourself can be interesting because it reminds you of what you looked like, but reading an old journal entry can be even more surprising because it reminds you of how you thought;

11776.  Journaling motivates you to make the most of each day.  There is something about knowing that your day will be recorded that makes you want to make at least one good choice before the sun sets;

11777.  Journaling provides proof of your progress.  Writing down one sentence about what went well today gives you something powerful to look at when you’re feeling down.  When you have a bad day, it can be easy to forget how much progress you have made.  But with a journal, it’s easier to keep a sense of perspective.  One glance at your previous entries and you have proof of how much you have grown over the months and years;

11778.  Being authentic doesn’t always guarantee connection.  In fact, if you’re not careful, your authenticity might not resonate with others and, then you’re left feeling misunderstood;

11779.  It’s not just about being yourself; it’s about making sure that your authenticity is relatable.  That’s where the magic happens.  When you can express yourself in a way that’s true to who you are, but also resonates with the person/people you’re talking to, you create a powerful, genuine connection.  But there’s a balance to it.  You can’t compromise who you are to please others; that’s just people-pleasing.  At the same time, you can’t be completely oblivious to the vibe or context of the situation;

11780.  Not everyone will vibe with your energy and that’s okay!  It’s not a reflection of your worth, it just means that connection wasn’t meant to be.  The real win is staying true to yourself without bending over backwards to fit in;

11781.  Remember: Authenticity + Relatability = Connection;

11782.  If you learn to use adversity right, it will buy you a ticket to a place you couldn’t have gone any other way;

11783.  At least 15 people in this world love you in some way;

11784.  A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone even if they don’t like you;

11785.  Every night, someone thinks about you before they go to sleep;

11786.  You mean the world to someone;

11787.  If not for you, someone may not be living;

11788.  You are special and unique;

11789.  Have trust sooner or later you will get what you wish for or something better;

11790.  When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it;

11791.  When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a hard look; you most likely turned your back on the world and the people who love and care for you;

11792.  Someone that you don’t even know exists loves you;

11793.  Always remember the compliments you received.  Forget about the rude remarks;

11794.  Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you’ll both be happy;

11795.  If you have a great friend, take the time to let her/him know that s/he’s great;

11796.  Fear of abandonment disappears once you stop abandoning yourself;

11797.  Apparently, the players from the DC Power Football Club (of the USL Super League) go to Decades in D.C. for Halloween;

11798.  Apparently, a woman isn’t gay even though she started dating a woman a couple of months ago;

11799.  According to Adelaide Gay(, the goalkeeper for the DC Power Football Club), a lot of professional female soccer players date women;

11800.  I can say I’ve “hit on” the DC Power Football Club team;

What I've learned since moving to D.C. (some of which should be obvious): 0235

11701.  Any sticking point in your life right now, whether it’s in your career, relationships or personal development, can be traced back to where you stand on the “Scale of Transformation;”

11702.  The Scale of Transformation: 1.  Apathy: The lowest state, where you’ve given up and disconnected.  You might not even realize you’re in this state because it feels like nothing matters; 2.  Grief: This is where you feel like a victim.  It’s a step up from apathy because there’s at least some emotion, but it’s still a tough place to be; 3.  Fear: More energy here, but it’s you versus the world.  It’s the kind of state where you’re constantly worried and playing it safe; 4.  Anger: You’ve got fire and you’re ready to fight, but it’s still a competitive state.  You’re driven by the need to prove something; 5.  Courage: The first collaborative state.  Here, you’re not just reacting to life; you’re starting to create it; 6.  Desire: This can be a useful tool to keep you moving forward, but, be careful, your ego can hijack your authentic path if you’re not aware; 7.  Purpose: When you align with your true purpose, everything changes.  Life becomes less about proving and more about being; and 8.  Love: The ultimate state, where you’re fully connected to life and others in a deeply, meaningful way;

11703.  The challenge is identifying where you currently are in the “Scale of Transformation” and what advice you should be following based on that.  Too often, people try to jump too high, aiming for purpose when they’re stuck in grief and then they fail and give up.  Instead, focus on moving just one or two levels up at a time;

11704.  If you’re tired of surface-level changes that don’t stick, the “Scale of Transformation” offers a way to make deep, lasting transformation.  It’s about re-owning the parts of yourself that you’ve disowned and becoming whole again;

11705.  Reflect on where you are on the scale right now.  Identify the next level you need to aim for.  And start applying the right advice for your current state;

11706.  In today’s world, the key to connecting with others, whether it’s in a conversation or a presentation, boils down to one essential principle: You have to go first.  If you want others to feel passionate, you have to radiate passion yourself.  If you want them to be excited, you need to bring that energy first.  This is all about the “Law of State Transference:” What you feel, others will feel;

11707.  Too often, people get stuck in their heads, worried about how they’re coming across.  They hold back, try to play it safe and, in doing so, they miss the chance to truly connect.  When someone’s not fully present, when they’re unsure, it’s hard to engage with them;

11708.  Being charismatic and captivating requires vulnerability.  It’s not just about being authentic; it’s about letting go of your fears and truly expressing yourself.  Think of it like singing. It’s not just about hitting the right notes; it’s about feeling the music and letting it flow through you, regardless of judgment;

11709.  When was the first time you felt anxious?  Was it at birth or was it later?  Maybe it was when you were a child, learning about societal rules through punishment and reward.  Or when you were told to be quiet in a restaurant or felt embarrassed by a comment in school.  These early experiences shape how we react to situations today, triggering our old fears;

11710.  When we experience anxiety, it often stems from past experiences where we felt judged or rejected.  The key is to realize that these fears, while real, are disproportionate to the reality of the situation.  To truly break free, you need to confront these fears head-on.  Embrace them and don’t let them control you.  As Peter Levine describes in his book, “Waking the Tiger,” trauma can be released by allowing ourselves to “shake it off,” much like how animals in nature deal with stress.  By acknowledging and letting go of these old triggers, you get back to a more natural state of being.  It’s about being true to yourself, embracing your passions and letting go of the judgments you fear.  The day you stop being triggered is the day you truly find freedom;

11711.  Breakups are tough.  They can shake you to your core, leaving you feeling lost, hurt and, sometimes, even questioning your self-worth.  It’s completely normal to feel the way you do.  When a relationship ends, especially one that felt so intense, it can feel like your world is turned upside down.  You might be questioning everything; wondering if you’ll ever find someone like that again or if you’ll ever feel whole.  You’re not alone in this;

11712.  One of the most important steps after a breakup is to create some space between you and your ex.  This isn’t about avoiding them or pretending they don’t exist, but rather giving yourself the room to heal and rediscover who you are outside of the relationship.  It’s about learning to date yourself again so to speak.  If you can, limit contact for a while even if it’s hard.  Your well-being comes first.  Take this time to really explore who you are now.  You’ve changed because of this relationship and that’s okay.  Embrace those changes and figure out what they mean for you moving forward;

11713.  It’s also crucial to honor the grieving process.  Don’t stuff down those feelings or try to rush through them.  Feel them fully because that’s how you start to let go and move on;

11714.  Relationships, even short ones, can bring up a lot of old wounds and insecurities.  The relationship didn’t define you and the breakup doesn’t either.  Take some time to reflect on your patterns in relationships.  Do you shut down when things get tough?  Do you avoid conflict instead of facing it head-on?  These are important questions to ask yourself because understanding these patterns is the first step to changing them;

11715.  It’s also key to learn how to have healthy disagreements.  Conflict isn’t the enemy; avoiding it is.  Learn how to communicate your needs and frustrations in a way that’s constructive not destructive;

11716.  Remember, just because this relationship didn’t work out doesn’t mean you won’t find love again;

11717.  You have so much time to meet new people and have new experiences.  But before you rush into anything new, take the time to heal.  Take the time to work on your relationship with yourself.  That’s the most important relationship you’ll ever have;

11718.  Start talking to your younger self.  Find a picture of yourself as a kid and put it somewhere you’ll see it often.  Whenever you look at it, remind that little version of you that they are loved, that they are enough and that they’re going to be okay.  Reconnect with that part of yourself because that’s where your true healing will begin;

11719.  Your leftover rotisserie chicken will last (quite) awhile if you debone it and store the meat in your refrigerator;

11720.  Apparently, Quinton DuBose’s brother-in-law is (the comedian) Shuler King;

11721.  Caleb Followill (the lead singer for “Kings of Leon”) sounds like Chris Stapleton’s whiny, younger brother;

11722.  If you have a craving for schweinshaxe (i.e., German roasted pork knuckle or ham hock), Old House Cosmopolitan (OldHouseCosmopolitan.com) in (Old Town) Alexandria has an off-the-menu special Thursday through Sunday;

11723.  I can say I’ve been to a members only, private bar in (Old Town) Alexandria (specifically the Aerie for the Fraternal Order of Eagles);

11724.  Meghan (Wallen) says she’s only ticklish around the ribs;

11725.  I can say I’ve been to an HFStival;

11726.  Emerson Hart (the lead singer for “Tonic”) said the song, “If You Could Only See,” was a song he quickly wrote, when he was 21, after a conversation he had with his mom disapproving of a woman he was in love with and right before he signed a record deal for “Tonic.”  He said he ended up marrying and divorcing her. . . . Apparently, his mom was right;

11727.  “Violent Femmes” songs (just) sound immature.  They don’t hold up over time;

11728.  Apparently, after their set/performance at a music festival( specifically HFStival), the members of “Lit” like to hang out in the crowd and have some beers;

11729.  Wes Johnson (the public address announcer for the Washington Capitals) used to work morning radio at WHFS-FM;

11730.  Apparently, HFStival (1995) was one of Bush’s first shows;

11731.  Incubus’s bass player (i.e., Nicole Row) is rather attractive;

11732.  Ben Gibbard (the lead singer for “Death Cab for Cutie”) seems a little autistic in how he (rhythmically) swings his guitar back and forth;

11733.  Ben Gibbard (the lead singer for “Death Cab for Cutie”) lived in Herndon, Virginia.  He went to a year of middle school and a year at Herndon High School;

11734.  Apparently, HFStival (2024) (on September 21^st, 2024) is the last “The Postal Service” performance;

11735.  Ben Gibbard is the lead singer for “Death Cab for Cutie” and “The Postal Service;”

11736.  “The Postal Service” is pretty much “Death Cab for Cutie” plus Jimmy Tamborello and Jenny Lewis;

11737.  Ben Gibbard (the lead singer for “Death Cab for Cutie”) said he used to go to HFStival growing up;

11738.  According to Ryan Scott( from Top Chef season 4), you should have a cooking salt (i.e., Diamond Crystal kosher salt) and a finishing salt (i.e., Maldon sea salt flakes) . . . no iodized salt;

11739. According to Ryan Scott( from Top Chef season 4), the heat should be at 7 or 8 when grilling/searing;

11740.  According to Ryan Scott( from Top Chef season 4), you should have 2 oils for grilling . . . one for cooking and one for finishing. . . . Their smoke points should be between 350-400 degrees;

11741.  According to Ryan Scott( from Top Chef season 4), you should grill/sear your meat flat.  There should be no oil splattering.  You should smell the meat cooking and not burning.  And you should hear it cooking.  The meat should stay on 1 side for 70-80% of the time, flipped and the cooked to the desired temperature;

11742.  I can say that I’ve been lifted up by a Top Chef contestant (specifically Ryan Scott from season 4);

11743.  True transformation often manifests in the gap between our current self and our potential;

11744.  The moments of greatest discomfort often precede the most profound breakthroughs;

11745.  Our adult self understands that discomfort is part of growth.  But our child or teen?  They often interpret discomfort as a sign to retreat.  The key is learning to differentiate between harmful discomfort and growth-inducing discomfort;

11746.  Harmful discomfort feels like shame or fear.  It makes you want to hide.  Growth discomfort feels like a challenge.  It makes you want to push through even if it’s scary;

11747.  Deep down, when you feel that challenging discomfort, it’s a sign you’re pushing your boundaries.  You’re expanding your capabilities.  You’re growing.  It’s your adult recognizing an opportunity for evolution;

11748.  Where many people falter, they mistake growth discomfort for harmful discomfort and retreat to their comfort zone.  They let their child or teen take the wheel, interpreting the challenge as a threat rather than an opportunity;

11749.  It’s crucial to distinguish between growth discomfort and the harmful stress of overwork.  There’s a fine line between pushing for growth and pushing yourself to the breaking point.  Growth discomfort energizes you even as it challenges you.  It leaves you tired, but fulfilled.  Harmful overwork, on the other hand, leaves you drained, resentful and at risk of burnout.  If you find yourself constantly grinding, wearing “busy” as a badge of honor or neglecting your well-being in pursuit of success, that’s not growth that’s self-sabotage;

11750.  Every major achievement in your life so far has come from embracing healthy growth discomfort not from running yourself into the ground;

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11651.  While you are the hero in your movie, you’re just a background character in everyone else’s.  This realization can be incredibly freeing.  If you’re worried about what others think of you, remember, they probably don’t notice you as much as you think.  And if they do, they’ll soon forget.  So why stress?

11652.  The truth is, most people are too busy with their own lives to worry about you.  Think about it, do you spend your days thinking about everyone you’ve ever interacted with?  No.  They don’t either.  Even significant figures like Betty White or the Queen of England don’t occupy our thoughts daily, despite their massive achievements;

11653.  The Reality of Self-Importance: What if you were to die?  How long would people remember you?  The reality is not very long.  We all move on quickly, caught up in our own lives.  This realization isn’t meant to be depressing; it’s meant to be liberating.  When you understand that you’re not the center of everyone else’s universe, it frees you from external validation;

11654.  In today’s fast-paced world, attention spans are shrinking.  Social media has us scrolling past even 15-second videos.  This lack of focus affects our ability to engage in meaningful, nuanced conversations, which are crucial for personal and societal growth.  But there’s a silver lining; understanding that the world isn’t constantly watching you can help alleviate anxiety;

11655.  Embrace Your Authentic Self: Living authentically means putting your well-being first.  Why sacrifice your happiness for the approval of others who don’t truly know you?  You are the expert on yourself.  No one else can understand your life, your feelings or your experiences as you do.  Their opinions are based on their own projections and blind spots;

11656.  If a random person judged you harshly, it shouldn’t affect you any more than a child running up to you and saying, “You suck,” before running off.  Their opinion holds no weight because they don’t truly know you;

11657.  Stop Living in Reaction: Imagine living your life not to prove others wrong or to gain their approval, but for yourself.  Picture yourself on your deathbed, reflecting on your life.  What will matter then?  Not what others thought of you, but whether you stayed true to yourself and lived fully.  The biggest regrets people have at the end of their lives are not taking risks, not doing what they loved and caring too much about others’ opinions.  So why wait?  Why put off living the life you want for some mythical “someday?”  That day may never come.  You could die tomorrow.  Embrace the urgency of life and start living authentically now;

11658.  Take Action Today: Stop saying “someday” or “one day.”  These are the vocabularies of procrastination.  You don’t have forever.  Your time is finite and you should make the most of it.  Don’t wait for more time to pass.  Start today.  Reflect on your life.  Are you living authentically?  Are you putting your happiness and well-being first?  If not, what can you change today to start moving in that direction?  Remember, you are the hero of your story.  Live like it;

11659.  We’re always being guided; we just need to pay attention to it.  We can ask, then we listen and then we must pay attention to the guidance we receive;

11660.  It’s one thing to ask for guidance, but it’s entirely another to listen to the guidance you receive.  Sometimes what’s given isn’t what we wanted or expected, but it’s guidance nonetheless;

11661.  We often think that the world outside of us is the enemy, the force that holds us back.  But the reality is that the biggest barrier is usually internal.  It’s the way we treat ourselves, the way we talk to ourselves and the way we hold on to past versions of ourselves that we haven’t forgiven.  Take a moment to think about that younger version of you, the one you might still be angry with or ashamed of.  Maybe it’s the version of you that made some decisions you regret or the one that didn’t know any better.  Have you ever really forgiven that version of yourself?  Have you ever told them it’s okay, that you love them anyway?

11662.  Self-love isn’t about pretending to be perfect.  It’s about acknowledging where you are, where you’ve been and accepting all of it.  Even the parts you’re not proud of . . . especially those parts;

11663.  Find a picture of your younger self, the one you’ve been hard on and put it somewhere you’ll see every day.  Look at it and say, “I love you.”  Notice what comes up.  Is there resistance?  Breathe into it.  Let it go.  Start treating yourself like you would treat a child who’s learning and growing.  Would you yell at them for making mistakes or would you encourage them, love them and help them do better next time?

11664.  As you move forward, remember that your goals are important, but they don’t define your worth.  You are not incomplete without them.  True fulfillment isn’t found in the future, it’s right here, right now.

11665.  H&M (HM.com) will recycle your old clothes (except for underwear) and linens.  Just drop them off in the bin(s) by the cash registers.  They’ll even give you a 15% off coupon on your next purchase;

11666.  Atlas Brew Works (Alexandria) (AtlasBrewWorks.com) has a great Happy Hour deal; $10.00 for 2 slices of pizza and a pint of certain select beers and $5.00 pints for the same select beers Monday through Friday from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM;

11667.  Psychologist Carl Jung: “The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely;”

11668.  Failure is a part of life, an essential part of personal growth.  By fearing it, you are denying yourself the opportunity to learn and grow;

11669.  The only person you need to be good enough for is yourself.  And you already are;

11670.  Psychologist Carl Rogers: “The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn from his/her experiences;”

11671.  Instead of seeing your past as a burden, see it as a valuable source of wisdom and growth;

11672.  If you’re carrying around past regrets or mistakes, remember this: The past is a place of reference not residence.  Learn from it then let it go.  The present is where your focus should be;

11673.  Planning for the future is important, but obsessing over every single detail is a recipe for stress and anxiety;

11674.  No amount of worry can change the future.  All it does is steal the joy of the present;

11675.  Eckhart Tolle: “Worry pretends to be necessary but serves no useful purpose;

11676.  Whenever you find yourself worrying about the future, take a deep breath and bring your attention back to the present moment.  What can you see, hear and feel right now?  Ground yourself in the present and let the future unfold as it will;

11677.  The Lemonade Stand Lesson (Earning): It’s not about how hard you squeeze the lemons, but how well you pick your spot and price your product.  In adult terms, focus on leveraging your unique skills in the right market not just working harder;

11678.  The Piggy Bank Principle (Saving): Before you could spend, you had to save.  As adults, we often forget this chasing returns before building a solid foundation.  Are you taking care of the basics first?

11679.  The Allowance Allocation (Spending): Remember weighing whether to buy that toy or save for something bigger?  That’s the essence of budgeting – understanding needs versus wants.  How often do you pause before purchases now?

11680.  The Birthday Gift Revelation (Giving): Remember the joy of giving a gift you bought with your own money?  When you’re financially secure, giving becomes a source of joy and impact.  Have you experienced this lately?

11681.  Feelings of anxiety in me tend to manifest around my stomach.  Emotional eating makes sense if the anxiety is being misinterpreted as hunger;

11682.  The Abundance Mindset: When you view wealth as a pie to be divided, you limit yourself.  But when you see it as an ever-expanding resource, suddenly collaboration becomes your greatest asset;

11683.  The Network Effect: Your network is your net worth.  Each connection is a potential opportunity, insight or resource.  Are you nurturing these relationships?

11684.  The Synergy Principle: 1+1 can equal 3 when you collaborate.  Your skills combined with someone else’s can create value greater than the sum of its parts;

11685.  The Innovation Advantage: Collaboration breeds innovation.  And in today’s world, innovative thinking is a direct path to financial success;

11686.  Perfection is a myth.  No one is perfect and pretending to be only creates a prison of paranoia where you’re constantly afraid of being found out;

11687.  Only you get to decide who you are and how you feel.  So the next time you feel anxiety creeping in, take a step back and imagine you’re watching yourself on TV.  Laugh a little.  Embrace the absurdity of it all.  And, most importantly, keep reminding yourself that you’re the only one who gets to decide if this is a big deal or just another funny moment in the story of your life;

11688.  When we constantly look at others, wishing we had what they have, it’s often a sign that we’re not clear on who we are, what we value and what our personal win in life looks like.  The foundation of a strong identity lies in knowing exactly what you want and aligning your life around it;

11689.  Identify Your Core Values: Take a moment to list out what’s most important to you right now.  Is it money, health, relationships or something else?  Prioritize these values; if you could only achieve one, which would it be?  Then list them in order;

11690.  Audit Your Day-to-Day Life: Look at how you spend your time and energy.  Are your actions aligned with your top values?  If not, it’s time to make some changes;

11691.  Focus and Prioritize: Trying to excel in every area of life at once is a surefire way to spread yourself too thin.  Pick one area to focus on, give it your all and then move on to the next once you’ve gained momentum;

11692.  Embrace the Power of “No”: As you grow, opportunities will come your way.  The key is to say no to the ones that don’t align with your values even if they seem great on the surface;

11693.  When you know what you want and you’re on your own path, FOMO and envy fade away.  You stop comparing yourself to others because you’re too busy living your life authentically and in alignment with what truly matters to you.  So, what’s your win?  How can you start aligning your life around it today?

11694.  The most toxic relationship pattern is chasing people you’re not meant to be with.  Many adults still approach relationships like they’re in high school, focusing on who will make them look good or impress their friends rather than thinking about who truly aligns with their values and goals;

11695.  Start by mapping out your ideal relationship.  Who is your ideal partner?  What are their values, interests and passions?  Instead of being a “people pleaser” or feeling desperate to be with just anyone, get clear on what you truly want and deserve.  Think of this as creating your own “ideal partner avatar.”  Just like in business where you define your ideal client, you should define your ideal partner.  Write down everything – age, occupation, interests, values – everything that matters to you.  Then, start putting yourself out there authentically, speaking and acting in alignment with this avatar.  This will naturally attract the right people and repel those who aren’t a good fit;

11696.  You don’t need to find someone perfect; look for the raw material;

11697.  Relationships are about growing together not finding someone who fits an ideal mold right from the start;

11698.  When you find someone, be your true self – insecurities, flaws and all;

11699.  Real relationships start when the honeymoon phase ends and you both begin to see and accept each other’s true selves;

11700.  The most important skill in any relationship is knowing how to argue and fight in a healthy way.  Read “Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High” (by Kerry Patterson et al.) and learn how to navigate disagreements.  It’s the key to building a strong, lasting relationship;