“My happiness grows in direct proportion to my acceptance, and in inverse proportion to my expectations.” ~ Michael J. Fox At various times in my life I have felt somewhat worn-down by the steady flow of negativity and the events unfolding in our world. Lately, it feels as though these events have been a constant…
“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” ~ the Dalai Lama When you think about some of the greatest philosophers who have ever lived and whose ideas are still relevant today…who comes to mind? Aristotle, Marcus Aurelius, Socrates, Plato, Epicurus, Confucius…Contrera. Contrera???? Wait a minute, hold the phone, stop the…
“Money cannot buy peace of mind. It cannot heal ruptured relationships, or build meaning into a life that has none.” ~Richard M. DeVos I have been doing a little reflecting on money. It seems as though you cannot flinch without seeing some commercial for Bet365, Sportsbook, or DraftKings promising fast, easy money and enticing…
“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” ~ Oprah Winfrey It’s January and the pinnacle of the college and professional football season is upon us! Folks will either begin gathering to watch the College Football Playoffs or the beginning of the NFL Playoffs. They will…
“We must protect ourselves and our children from the unwanted, addictive, and deceptive influence that is being driven by the Social Media Industrial Complex. ~Joe Contrera 122 years ago, one of the milestones in the history of filmmaking was surpassed when Edwin S. Porter directed and photographed the very first narrative film, The Great…
“Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” ~Zig Ziglar As we approach Thanksgiving this week and with all the turmoil going on in the world, it might be a little bit tougher…
“Truth is ever to be found in simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things.” ~ Isaac Newton There is an iconic saying sometimes attributed to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, a German-American architect who was very well know for his somewhat minimalist approach to design. It is simply, “Less is more.” Yet,…
“No one can confidently say that he will still be living tomorrow.” ~ Euripides I rarely share pieces of my personal life in these posts. But today I feel compelled to share this one because I feel it is very timely in light of all that is going on in our world. Lately, over…
“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” ~ Dalai Lama How many of us were told as children that your purpose in life was to be happy? How many of us were told that the purpose of your life was to get a good job that paid well so that…
“A house divided against itself cannot stand.” ~Abraham Lincoln It is easy to get caught up in the divisiveness that seems to be running rampant throughout our country at this time. The politicians in Washington D.C. can’t seem to get pass the bipartisanism that divides us even when the future of our country seems…