Monday, April 22, 2019

What I've learned since moving to D.C. (some of which should be obvious): 0152

7551.  The thing that you’re most afraid of doing is often the thing you need to do the most;
7552.  Remind yourself that the scariest moment is always right before you start that split second before you hurl yourself out of the plane, walk out on the stage or sign your name on the dotted line;
7553.  Courage is about taking action in spite of that fear;
7554.  What if instead of it being between winning and losing there was only winning and learning?
7555.  Things that won’t create fulfillment: 1.  Having a child; 2.  Marriage; 3.  Financial success; 4.  Getting a degree; 5.  Getting a promotion; and 6.  Buying a home;
7556.  Desperate to feel happiness, people seek everything they can outside themselves . . . the next job, the next relationship, that new home.  They rearrange their lives over and over again only to feel disappointment when the changes they make don’t give them what they thought they would.  Fulfillment is an inside job.  Nothing outside of self can create it . . . no person, no thing;
7557.  From birth, we condition children to “do” . . . to get that job, meet that person, buy that house.  With all of it wrapped up in the idea that these things will bring you fulfillment.  When they don’t, there’s so much confusion and disappointment;
7558.  Fulfillment is a practice.  It’s something we choose for ourselves, but, first, we have to find out who “we” are.  What makes us feel light?  What’s our true passion?  How can we serve others?  All of this is underneath the conditioning that we have to unravel. . . . How do you start?  It’s simple, but it’s difficult . . . 5 minutes of silent reflection every (single) day work through the resistance;
7559.  Brie Larson and Allison Brie are two different people;
7560.  You can’t pull someone down unless you feel (you’re) below them;
7561.  We do not have to be the byproduct of the world around us.  The world around can be the byproduct of our own free will;
7562.  Signs of an overactive ego: 1.  Constant comparison to others; 2.  Defensiveness; 3.  Emotional reactivity around people you view as “wrong;” 4.  Blaming others for your life situation; 5.  Inability to see things from the perspective of another; 6.  Extreme sensitivity to criticism; 7.  Always wanting the “last word;” and 8.  Inability to have relationships with people who have a different world view;
7563.  The ego is a false construction of identity to protect us.  It’s created in childhood and it’s so tightly woven into who “we” think we are that most people are unaware they have an ego.  Because the ego is developed in childhood, an unhealthy ego tends to display as child-like behavior;
7564.  There’s nothing wrong with having an ego;
7565.  How to develop a healthy ego: 1.  Observe yourself being “yourself.”  Warning: It’s uncomfortable.  Observe yourself interacting with friends, strangers and family.  Observe the way you text friends and speak about yourself.  The first step to developing an ego is to view it; 2.  Practice acceptance with being misunderstood.  The ego is at its most protective when we feel we are not seen or heard.  You can practice this with situations at work or with friends.  Our ego makes us believe that not being understood is the worst thing that could possibly happen to us.  This is not reality.  In the process, we learn that people are projecting the internal and it’s not our job to shift that; 3.  Listen/read/watch the “other” side of your viewpoint and practice emotional regulation.  A tell-tale sign of an overactive ego is becoming emotional at ideas or concepts that differ from your own and then labeling these people as “wrong,” “idiots” or “bad” while labeling yourself as “right.”  The ego doesn’t make room for multiple realities;
7566.  Separate yourself from your ego.  Recognize it.  Don’t fight it.  Your highest self is waiting;
7567.  I can say (that) I’ve travelled by train in the U.S.;
7568.  Traveling by train (specifically Amtrak) is pretty nice . . . (it’s way) better than (taking) the bus;
7569.  The biggest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge;
7570.  Period/menstrual sex . . . check . . . thank god for condoms;
7571.  I never thought I’d be wiping blood from my pubic hair;
7572.  Elizabeth doesn’t like (getting) her pussy smacked . . . , but she does like (getting) her inner thighs smacked;
7573.  I can say (that) I’ve mopped walls;
7574.  I can say (that) I’ve ripped up carpet and carpet padding;
7575.  I can say (that) I’ve power washed a house (specifically the vinyl siding and porch);
7576.  It (just) seems wrong to be covering/protecting new grass using/with their dead relatives (i.e., hay);
7577.  I can say (that) I’ve planted a backyard;
7578.  Cleaning wood balusters is like giving a handjob;
7579.  We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance;
7580.  Characteristics of a partner that values growth: 1.  Spends time investing in themselves (i.e., reading, working out, creating, playing a sport, traveling, etc.); 2.  Their words align with their actions (i.e., integrity); 3.  When they hear something new, they’re open/receptive; 4.  Values their independence and, therefore, your own; 5.  Has aligned with or is seeking alignment to purpose; 6.  Prioritizes their own happiness; 7.  Trusts themselves which translates into trusting you; and 8.  Comfortable and confident being alone;
7581.  Steps to create a future-self: 1.  Get past your mind in one small way daily; 2.  Become aware of the content you consume and edit it accordingly; 3.  Move your body for 5-10 minutes daily; 4.  Become aware of your subconscious programming by journaling, meditation and conscious observation; 5.  Find a community of like-minded people on a healing journey; 6.  Create boundaries with those who are resistant to your evolution; and 7.  Take small steps daily acting as your future-self would;
7582.  “Spumoni” is molded gelato made with different layers of colors and flavors.  It usually has three flavors with a fruit/nut layer in the middle;
7583.  90% of the joy you get from an event is the anticipation of it;
7584.  If your compassion doesn’t include yourself, it’s incomplete;
7585.  Master the art of empathy, but never forget to include yourself in the list of those you care for most;
7586.  Your ability to find peace is contingent on how many realities you can accept outside your own;
7587.  The more you can see beyond perception, beyond your ego, beyond the pain of your inner child and beyond your conditioning, the more peace you’ll have;
7588.  The top five regrets of the dying: 1.  I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself not the life others expected of me; 2.  I wish I hadn’t worked so hard; 3.  I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings; 4.  I wish I’d stayed in touch with my friends; and 5.  I wish that I’d let myself be happier;
7589.  The more you push your comfort zone the bigger it grows and the bigger your comfort zone gets the more opportunities you’ll have in life;
7590.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly;
7591.  Lessons of a late friend (not someone I personally knew): 1.  Most shit don’t matter. – The stuff you spend hours worrying about or getting excited over often doesn’t really matter.  Focus instead on the deeper things that will really count toward a happy life; 2.  Let go of the past. – Regrets and bitterness hold you back.  The past cannot be changed.  Life only ever moves forward; 3.  Everyone dies with a “To Do” list. – Don’t make work your life unless it’s something you truly enjoy.  Everyone dies with a “To Do” list.  Don’t glamorize being busy; 4.  Assholes exist. – Forget trying to make everyone happy.  The world is full of asses.  Don’t waste your time trying to understand them or please them; 5.  Stop waiting. – It’s so easy to delay doing something just because we’re waiting for the situation to be perfect.  It will never be perfect.  Do it now anyway; and 6.  Know you’re fucking awesome! – It’s so easy to forget how amazing you are.  You’re always uniquely you no matter how hard you try not to be.  Accept it, love yourself and go live it large;
7592.  (Technically) I can say (that) I’ve delivered pizza (from Pizza Hut);
7593.  As with traditional life insurance policies, modified endowment contract (“MEC”) death benefits are not subject to taxation;
7594.  A life insurance policy is considered a MEC contract by the I.R.S. if it meets three criteria.  First, the policy is entered into on or after June 20, 1988.  Second, it must meet the statutory definition of a life insurance policy.  Third, the policy must fail to meet the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988 (TAMRA) 7-pay test;
7595.  The TAMRA 7-pay test determines whether the total amount of premiums paid into a life insurance policy, within the first seven years, is more than what was required to have the policy considered paid up in seven years.  Policies become a MEC when the premiums paid to the policy are more than what was needed to be paid within that 7-year time frame;
7596.  Unlike traditional life insurance policies, taxes on gains are regular income for MEC withdrawals under last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) accounting;
7597.  The cost basis within the MEC and withdrawals are not subject to taxation;
7598.  The tax-free death benefit makes MECs useful for estate planning purposes;
7599.  MEC policy owners, who do not take withdrawals, can pass on a significant sum of money to their beneficiaries;
7600.  Do not confuse a joint life annuity with a joint-and-survivor annuity.  A joint life annuity ceases payments after the death of the first annuitant, whereas, the joint-and-survivor annuity continues to pay benefits until the second annuitant dies;

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

What I've learned since moving to D.C. (some of which should be obvious): 0151

7501.  People are (generally) talking to themselves when (they’re) talking to others.  Until we’re conscious, we’re human projectors.  The emotions and beliefs we’ve suppressed come out all day long. . . . It becomes difficult to be offended or take things personally when you realize interactions are reflections, reflections of our beliefs.  People speak to past versions of themselves all day long;
7502.  Situations to get past your mind: 1.  Cold showers; 2.  3 minute body scan check in; 3.  10 minute walk; 4.  Wake up 15 minutes early; 5.  Workouts; and 6.  Brave the cold purposely;
7503.  The chatter that says “tomorrow” or “I don’t want to” is the subconscious.  It always wants to keep us in the familiar . . . in the comfortable.  Comfort feels safe to the brain, but comfort blocs growth;
7504.  If you want to break through the resistance you have to intentionally set up situations where you get past your mind.  Create small situations where the mind is saying “no way” and you commit to conscious choice.  Repeat this daily and you’ll form a new relationship with your thoughts;
7505.  A dividend yield of 5% of the stock’s price signals a great stock at a great price;
7506.  A dividend yield of less than 3% of the stock price means the stock is priced too high and will probably fall in value;
7507.  Apparently, I’m high vibration;
7508.  A profound shift happens when we stop asking, “Why did they do that?” and start asking, “Why did I do that?”
7509.  90% of serotonin is made in the gut. . . . Food creates mood;
7510.  The original intent was that Social Security would account for about half of your retirement income;
7511.  If you’re collecting an ex-spousal, Social Security benefit and you remarry that benefit goes away;
7512.  If you remarry someone, who is 10 or 20 years younger than you, you might not qualify for spousal Social Security benefits for a while;
7513.  If your ex-spouse passes away, you will step up to their full benefit amount;
7514.  The stories we tell about ourselves become our reality regardless if they are true;
7515.  Behavior/emotional payoff: 1.  Complaining/gossiping about others – connection & belonging; 2.  Overcommitting – validation of “being needed;” 3.  Judging those around you – distraction from lack of self-worth; 4.  Staying in an unhealthy relationship – familiarity (e.g., repeating trauma cycles); and 5.  Blaming others for circumstances – relief from shame;
7516.  Every time you make a choice ask yourself, “How is this serving me?”  Ask it enough and you’ll start to see patterns.  When you start to see patterns, you’ll gain self-awareness;
7517.  80% of medical bills have at least one error;
7518.  Always ask for an itemized bill so you can determine whether you’ve been overcharged for a service;
7519.  You can look up the fair market price for healthcare you receive at Healthcare Bluebook (HealthcareBluebook.com);
7520.  It isn’t our accomplishments that make us happy.  Rather, it’s our happiness that fuels our accomplishments;
7521.  Until age 7, the brain is in a theta state (i.e., state of hypnosis).  This is where the subconscious mind is created;
7522.  Change is so difficult because we are running on programming we did not consciously choose;
7523.  We are on autopilot running on subconscious programming we didn’t create.  We’re in the “now,” but our minds are in the past habitually reacting as we learned during those first 7 years.  Cycles are repeated and repeated;
7524.  The theta brain state (7Hz to 8 Hz) is where “reality” is created.  As children, we are in this state for quick learning.  They have to figure out how to “be” in the world . . . language, beliefs, social norms, family structure, system, ethics, morals, etc.  All of these are chosen for us.  Almost every single belief you hold came from this time period including the belief about who “you” are;
7525.  You’re an adult.  You’ve left the theta brain state.  Every time you’re not present (i.e., about 95% of the time), you’re running on the subconscious.  You don’t like many things about your life.  You want to change.  You’re unaware of the thoughts, patterns and behaviors within your subconscious.  You start a new habit.  There’s major mental resistance.  The subconscious beliefs flood in.  The narratives are your “reality” because you’ve never separated yourself from them.  One week later your new habit is gone and so is the sense of shame that comes from self-betrayal;
7526.  The conscious mind wants change, but the subconscious mind feels change as a threat to life;
7527.  The first step in change is creating consciousness which means being present . . . observing “you,” your thoughts, your triggers and your reactions.  This is the most difficult space and why few people have self-awareness: it’s painful;
7528.  Reprogramming the mind takes commitment and patience.  The more work around this you do, the more it will feel like an inner battle.  It is an inner battle to return to the unconditioned, authentic self;
7529.  So much suffering today comes from the belief that we are responsible for the emotions of others.  We believe this because it was what we were taught.  We are raised by caregivers who don’t know how to process their own emotions so they can’t make space for our own;
7530.  We view people trying to make another person “feel better” or “be happy.”  As children, we watch someone get angry then blame another person for their anger.  The message is clear, but subtle: emotions of others are your responsibility.  This is why people cannot keep boundaries.  When someone reacts strongly against your boundaries (e.g., gets upset, makes judgments, etc.), we struggle to sit with the emotions.  We falsely believe we caused the emotional reaction and that it’s our responsibility to fix the reaction.  The only responsibility we have is our own emotional state and no one else’s;
7531.  Yes, our emotional state will affect those around us, but how they respond and react is their own;
7532.  Your emotional energy state is your own.  You’re responsible for the energy you bring to every situation.  How a person perceives you is beyond your control.  His/her filter is based on his/her own subconscious memory.  It has nothing to do with you;
7533.  Ask yourself, “Does this action help to create the person I want to become?”  Yes – repeat.  No – Good thing this means nothing and I have the next moment to make a new choice;
7534.  When we do something that doesn’t serve us, we create stories around what that means.  We say things to ourselves that make us cycle into shame.  The same thing that happened in our childhood, we do to ourselves as adults.  We qualify our behavior, create a meaning and then label it “good” or “bad.”  In this headspace we spiral into shame.  Then we miss the next opportunity in the present moment to make a decision that serves our highest self;
7535.  What healing really is: showing up, showing up, not showing up, showing up, showing up, not showing up, not showing up, showing up;
7536.  When you don’t show up, breathe: it means nothing;
7537.  When you do (show up), recognize the victory and keep moving;
7538.  The day will come when you show up for yourself more than when you don’t.  But only if you let go of your own stories around what your actions mean;
7539.  You will never be criticized by someone who is doing more than you.  You will only be criticized by someone doing less;
7540.  Every time you owe someone money, you become an employee of their money.  That is, if you take out a 30-year loan, you’ve instantly become a 30-year employee.  Unfortunately, they do not give you a gold watch when the debt is retired;
7541.  Good debt is debt that someone else pays off for you and bad debt is debt that you pay for with your own sweat and blood;
7542.  Regardless of whether you borrow money for a liability or an asset, to a banker, either one is an asset.  People who first borrow money to buy assets usually end up with more money to buy liabilities.  People who only buy liabilities often have no money left over to buy assets;
7543.  If you want to be rich, you must give your banker what he wants.  First, your banker wants to see your financial statements.  Second, a banker wants to lend you money to buy real estate.  Just know what your banker wants and you’ll find it easier to become rich;
7544.  If you want a (little) crunch for your chili and you don’t have any tortilla chips or Fritos, try corn flakes;
7545.  How to work through triggers: 1.  Breathe.  Feel your heart rate, shaky hands and any other change in body chemistry.  Practice observing; 2.  Ask, “What was my core feeling here (e.g., I felt abandoned.  I felt unheard.  I felt unconsidered.)?” and 3.  Choose a new response.  Rewire pathways of the brain.  Be silent.  Write down emotions.  Walk away from the situation;
7546.  A trigger is a reaction in the present to an emotional wound from the past;
7547.  Being triggered is the mind and body attempting to release and heal.  When we’re triggered, we’re in the subconscious.  If we stay here, we will react habitually and the wound will remain.  We will blame a person or a situation unaware that we’re reacting to our past;
7548.  Even the act of acknowledging a trigger and focusing inwards is a major step towards healing;
7549.  Working through triggers heals.  Use them to guide you.  The more conscious you are to your triggers, the more choice you have in reaction.  With repetition, you’ll rewire the pathways of the brain.  Eventually, you’ll reach the ability to respond rather than react;
7550.  Triggers are teachers;

Monday, March 25, 2019

What I've learned since moving to D.C. (some of which should be obvious): 0150

7451.  Unconsciously repeating cycles is at the root of all human behavior;
7452.  Signs of emotional addiction: 1.  Retelling a story of tragedy over and over again for years and feeling like you’re living the moment in the present; 2.  Enjoying emotions even if they are negative because you feel “alive;” 3.  Being drawn to relationships that revolve around the emotion you’re addicted to; 4.  Feeling dull and apathetic until you experience the addictive emotion; and 5.  Finding yourself in repetitive emotional cycles even if you desperately want to get out of them;
7453.  Apparently, Amazon has a 30-day price guarantee, but not for digital download/software sales;
7454.  Apparently, Morrissey was in “The Smiths;”
7455.  Matt Nathanson is a Morrissey fan;
7456.  Emotional maturity: 1.  Receptive to feedback and open to other perspectives; 2.  Can step outside of oneself to see another perspective; 3.  Has a developed sense of self and is authentic; 4.  Takes time to process emotions before reacting; 5.  Feels a sense of peace and stability; and 6.  Encourages others and believes in their capability;
7457.  Emotional immaturity: 1.  Defensive and shut down to conflicting ideas; 2.  Rigid: Sees everything from their own point of view; 3.  Lacks a sense of self and projects an image; 4.  Habitual knee jerk emotional reactions; 5.  Feels attacked and like the world is against him/her; and 6.  Mocks or criticizes others from a place of insecurity;
7458.  Being an adult does not mean (that) you’re emotionally mature;
7459.  It’s actually rare to be emotionally mature.  If developmental needs were not met as children, we can stay at an “emotional age” that’s different from our physical age.  This manifests as screaming, yelling, defensiveness and an inability to see things from another perspective;
7460.  Emotionally immature people have an overactive ego that attempts to protect them from the lack of self.  They struggle in interpersonal relationships because they’re fragile and insecure;
7461.  Ways to overcome self-sabotage: 1.  Understand that falling into old patterns shows the power of the subconscious and not who “you” are as a person; 2.  Practice breath work every morning to calm the nervous system (which claims the mind); 3.  Journal about your future-self and read it when negative thought loops come up; 4.  Keep new rituals very small and something you can commit to every single day; and 5.  Have compassion towards the beliefs you have about yourself.  Most of them were not created by you;
7462.  The subconscious drives 95% of our behavior.  When we are not present, we run on subconscious programming that was all created from birth until age 7.  Our subconscious holds beliefs about what we deserve, who we are and what our place is in the world.  As we attempt to consciously change this programming the brain races into overdrive desperate to stay in the familiar.  Thoughts come up to bring us back to the “known self” and we abandon our attempts.  This will happen over and over again;
7463.  Everyone has the power to heal, but it is 98% mental and 2% action.  Be patient.  Sit with what comes up and start again in each new moment;
7464.  Steps to rewire the brain: 1.  Visualization; 2.  Future-self journaling; 3.  Limit exposure to people who doubt or question your shifts; 4.  Filter what you consume; and 5.  Stay curious and open to universal guidance, but committed to daily practice;
7465.  Emotional internalizer: 1.  Responsible for their emotional energy in every situation; 2.  Places emphasis on personal development; 3.  Responds; 4.  Works through triggers to learn their meaning(s); 5.  Can spend time alone, practices mediation or journaling; and 6.  Can hear other viewpoints calmly and rationally;
7466.  Emotional externalizer: 1.  Emotional state is created by the environment; 2.  Focused on the external behavior of others; 3.  Reacts; 4.  Expects others to understand and avoid triggers; 5.  Avoids being alone and always connected to others; and 6.  See beliefs as identity and pushes his/her own;
7467.  5 truths about mental wellness: 1.  Inflammation has been linked to anxiety, depression, mood disorders and schizophrenia; 2.  The gut and the brain are in constant (two-way) communication with each other through the gut-brain axis; 3.  The microbiome and its balance of bacteria influences behavior; 4.  Psychiatric disorders are symptoms with root causes; and 5.  Research shows nutritional deficiency (especially b12, vitamin d & omega fatty acids) are present in psychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative disease;
7468.  The emotions of others are not your responsibility;
7469.  People don’t have bad intentions.  They have unhealed, emotional wounds;
7470.  “Personality” is the culmination of habitual, thought patterns and behavior, not who “you” are;
7471.  What people don’t understand, they will dismiss.  Let them;
7472.  Family is typically the most resistant to change/evolution;
7473.  The matrix is your own mind;
7474.  No matter how negative your self-image is right now, you need to remember that your mind is playing tricks on you.  You made a choice to buy into this image;
7475.  The biggest risk of all is not taking one;
7476.  Celebrate every season of your life for the particular blessings that it brings.  Regret steals your joy, comparison steals your joy and yearning for things to be other than the way they are steals your joy.  When you accept what is (even challenges) and you lean into working with them instead of against them, you can make the most of what is showing up.  And, in the process, you truly show up to life and to yourself;
7477.  Growth is mostly about letting go of the things that no longer serve you . . . letting go of other people’s ideas that you took on about how you should be and what being “abundant” means;
7478.  Plenty of procedures and protocols are more about reducing a medical establishment’s liability than they are about patient outcomes;
7479.  When unhappy couples say, “We’re incompatible,” they truly mean, “We don’t get along very well;”
7480.  Everyone, who is unhappy, naturally blames it on the facade of compatibility.  They fail to realize and comprehend that a successful relationship does not hinge its posterity on how alike you are instead it hangs on by the sheer willpower and want to stay in a relationship;
7481.  Dr. John Gottman, the founder of The Gottman Institute in Seattle, said that measures of personality are incapable of truly predicting the length or success of a relationship;
7482.  Gottman discovered that couples, who focus their energy on building something meaningful together in their lives (.e.g., starting a business together) tend to last the longest;
7483.  How a couple interacts is the single, most fundamental aspect to creating a successful relationship.  Meaning it’s not who you are or what you do that will prolong or help you find the perfect mate.  It’s how you speak to each other, how well you get along and how you move through time together;
7484.  Gottman says that your partner should support your life dreams.  They should look up to you, admire you and respect you;
7485.  When you truly reflect on how you’ve always wanted to be treated, having someone who genuinely believes in your greatness is paramount;
7486.  A lot of the connection you feel with another person is emotional.  You must be capable of responding to each other when you need something.  As Gottman says, “Does your partner turn toward you with equal enthusiasm?”  You need to ask questions and constantly update your knowledge of one another;
7487.  If you truly are looking for love and want to find that person that you can spend the rest of your life with remember that it is you who creates compatibility;
7488.  There is no magic formula or perfect algorithm for making a fruitful relationship with another human being.  Yes, you need to find the other person attractive, look up to them and feel a strong sense of familiarity, but those are but a small slice of the pie that constitutes a healthy and lasting relationship;
7489.  The next time you spot someone who catches your attention and makes your pupils dilate with interest and enthusiasm, pay attention to whether or not s/he can see the dream you envisioned for your life.  If s/he can share in your delight and can accept you for who you are today not for who you can be tomorrow then you have found your “soulmate;”
7490.  A human being’s role is not to complete another;
7491.  Demands and expectations lead to resentment;
7492.  Your emotional, physical and spiritual health reflects daily on your partner;
7493.  Communication problems are often unhealed trauma;
7494.  A partner, who keeps promises to himself/herself, keeps promises to another.  A partner, who betrays himself/herself, betrays another;
7495.  The happiest partnerships are two people living as their authentic selves even if that means temporary discomfort for the other;
7496.  The foundation of love is commitment to the highest self;
7497.  The path to intuition is the path that people have the most resistance to: silence with self.  In silence, we face our thoughts.  We feel the physical sensations emotions bring: itchiness, numbness and tingling.  The monkey mind goes and goes.  The greatest fear of human beings is not public speaking or death.  It’s facing our emotions;
7498.  We have a conditioned belief that having a lot of friends means something about who we are.  We feel it makes us perceived as likeable and accepted.  We’ll “break-up” with partners, but not with friends.  Friendship seems to be forever even if the relationship has run its course.  Relationships shift as we shift.  People enter our lives during certain periods and exit at others.  It’s okay to let go;
7499.  Elizabeth likes veal Marsala . . . and fresh mozzarella . . . and tiramisu;
7500.  The 3 C’s in life: 1.  Choice; 2.  Chance; and 3.  Change – You must make the choice to take the chance if you want anything in life to change;