The incredible value of an outside perspective — What is it about a quote that possesses so much power? A random thought by a person no different than you or me. Yet, the right quote can inspire someone to do incredible things. Why should you listen to that random person? What makes their words so valuable? …

A slight change in perspective can make all the difference. — My first attempt at meditation is something I’ll never forget. It’s the day my life changed forever, and I haven’t looked back since. That intro lesson was the first I heard of “Being the Blue Sky.” …

The eye-opening results of a two-week sugar binge and why you may want to hold off on the sweets. — As I stare at this blank word document, I can hear my grandmother’s voice in my head clear as day. “All that soda will rot your teeth” “All that candy will give you worms”(yes, that is an actual quote) Among other crazy Italian grandmother type sayings, she would frequently rattle…

Return to normalcy using these four easy steps. — Life can be funny at times. Cruel, yes, but funny. At the very least ironic. A major league pitcher with a joker mask on, and an arsenal of pitches that would make Tim Wakefield jealous. …

No friendship is worth ruining your quality of life. — Monday morning, eyes snap open. I wake up to that familiar 5 AM feeling. A quick panic-stricken glance at the alarm clock, paranoid that I’ve overslept. “Whew, only five, still an hour left.” I drift back to sleep, but that temporary peace is short-lived. 5:30 AM, eyes snap open again…

Don’t let the gambler’s mentality get in the way of your health and fitness goals. — When you think of a gambling problem, you likely picture that typical scene in countless movies. The 4 am sights and sounds of a casino — some poor soul sweating buckets at a slot machine, trying to recover what they’ve lost. We usually look at that person with pity or…

What to do when you feel like the impostor among us — How long until you’re found out? Until your peers realize you’re a fraud? If you’ve ever experienced impostor syndrome, these are questions you routinely ask yourself. A shared experience for newcomers and creative veterans alike, the feeling of inadequacy can be suffocating. We live in a like driven society. Social…

Advocating for yourself doesn’t make you difficult. — How many times have you agreed to do something that wasn’t in your best interest? Favors for friends/family or work obligations? Maybe you resist standing up for yourself to avoid conflict or have friends tell you you’re “too nice”? No matter the situation, there’s nothing quite like the sting of…

Replace judgment with empathy and improve your quality of life. — I used to be a serious hater. Not really hate in the literal sense, more along the lines of a petty critic. It started with judging other artists during my music days but quickly bled into everyday life. It’s an aspect of my past I cringe when I think about. …