thePOCKET

Beautiful Adversity

“What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well.”— Antoine de Saint-Exupery

The journey of life sometimes consists of uncertainty and adversity but these times are precious.  The idea of beauty comes from having a sense of appreciation.  We can never truly appreciate the beauty of the journey without appreciating the seemingly ugliness of adversity.  This ugliness however, once understood becomes beautiful.  Adversity is an acquired taste.  Sometimes life isn’t traditionally glamorous but if you accept it for what it is as opposed to what you may think you want it to be, you can begin to appreciate it.  Appreciate the well in the dessert instead of just wishing you had lemonade.  The journey to the well and the water in it provide you with what you need.    Embrace the journey and enjoy the luxury of acquiring what you need.  Don’t take trials of adversity for granted.  They are necessary in the preparation of achieving greatness.  

See you. Be you. Do more.

JH3

You’ve Got A Friend In Me

I doubt you’re alone.  Actually, I’m one hundred percent certain that in this world composed of nearly 7 billion people, plenty share your sentiments.  Where are they?  Good question.  Where are you?  Are you surrounded by people who remind you of yourself and where you are going?  If not, then the people you are looking for aren’t around you.  The people you are looking for are probably looking for you too.  Therefore, instead of walking around alone shielded by a crowd, or moseying over to your usual depressing corner, venture out as your pure, unadulterated self and see what happens.  Expose others to your story and find who is genuinely interested.    You probably need at least one of them to help you write the parts of your story you struggle with.  They may need you as well.  Many stories are intertwined.  Tell your story.  Listen to others.  And keep living as the characters and settings change.

See you. Be you. Do more.

JH3

20/20 Vision

“Insight can be blurry but hindsight is 20/20”—John Harris III

If you evaluate your life in the present moment, you will find a lot of things don’t make sense. And you know what, that’s perfectly fine. They’re not supposed to. Not yet. One day they may, just like all the words you can read now that just looked like gibberish on the board back in kindergarten. Every decision won’t be perfect. Everything won’t always feel right, but you’ll never know if you don’t at least try to learn. If you always turn your head every time you can’t make out what you’re trying to see ahead, you may never actually see what you want. You may turn and begin walking in the wrong direction. Keep walking forward. Squint if you have to. Eventually, you’ll make out the sight and all the parts of the vision will finally make sense. Eventually….

See you. Be you. Do more.

JH3

Study Long, Study Wrong

“The world can only be grasped by action, not by contemplation. The hand is the cutting edge of the mind.” —Diane Arbus

A masterpiece that appears in the mind can only become that masterpiece once your hands find the power to paint it.   Living becomes effortless once you decide to actively live out that which you already breathe. Study long, study wrong. Contemplating over decisions you already know the answers to just leads to confusion. Sometimes your heart understands your world a little better than your brain does, so if after all the reasoning, you are still unsure…Go with what feels right.  It will put you at ease.

See you. Be you. Do more.

JH3

True to Yourself

A hardened heart is just a once warm heart grown cold. It freezes over to protect itself from that which once polluted it with lies and disappointment. However, in doing so it creates an environment that is no longer suitable for warmth unless it allows itself to once again become vulnerable and melt back into its original state. Don’t leave yourself vulnerable to all, but never allow yourself to become so hardened that you repel those who may provide that which you seek beneath the surface. Don’t allow the harsh actions of a few cause you to question your own kindness. Remain true to yourself. There is strength in vulnerability.

JH3

MOVE!!!

“There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth…not going all the way, and not starting.”— Buddha quotes

Love yourself.  Trust yourself.  Go with your instincts.  You’ll either do what’s right, or make the right mistakes.  Stagnation and complacency are kin to regret.  Make moves.  Trust the process, and alter your instincts as you learn.  Don’t be afraid.  If your heart’s in it, why would you want to deprive yourself of living?  Life consists of heartbeats and heart-skips until the heart stops.  Make it worth it.  A regret is just a lesson never learned….learn every day.  Look back.  Then smile.  Regret-free…..It’s all love. 

“See you. Be you. Do more.”

JH3

Earn Your Rose

“He who wants a rose must respect the thorn.”— Persian Proverb

If you wish to receive love and respect from those around you, evaluate yourself to make sure you are putting into the world that which you want to receive.  It is unreasonable to believe that you will receive the roses of the world if you are neglecting your garden, walking around in weeds.  Also, if you are receiving such love and respect, and you have attained those roses but are careless with them, expect to feel the pain of the thorn.  Careless actions may have painful repercussions.  However, when nurtured correctly, everything turns out beautifully.

See you. Be you. Do more.

JH3

Laugh Now. No crying.

“The person who knows how to laugh at himself will never cease to be amused.”— Shirley MacLaine

Chill.  Life really isn’t that serious.  The past can act as a source of painful regrets or comedic mishaps  That doesn’t depend so much on what occurred but more so on how you choose to perceive past happenings.  Do you sulk in misery over things that only remain relevant as long as you allow them to? If so, that’s a problem, and the only person you should blame for your sadness is yourself.  Pick your head up.  Laugh at it all. Life’s no joke, but yo….it is pretty funny when you think about it.  Wipeouts are quite entertaining and make for good stories.  Your life is your story.  Make it fun.  Drama gets old.  It’s okay to cry, but…would you rather cry from despair or laughter?  Your choice….  Give it time.  Smile :-)

“See you. Be you. Do more.”

JH3

Stay Above the Clouds

“A pessimist only sees the dark side of the clouds, and mopes; a philosopher sees both sides and shrugs; an optimist doesn’t see the clouds at all—he’s walking on them.”— Leonard L. Levinson

Appreciate the blue skies.  Don’t allow a lone cloud to have the power to darken your day.  Live in positivity.  If you find a way to smile even in dismal circumstances you can condition yourself to find joy regardless of the situation.  Condition yourself to be happy.  Make it a habit.  No wallowing, no dwelling, no regretting, just progressing.  Take it all in.  Breathe.  There is ALWAYS something to smile about.  Laughter is the best remedy for sadness.  Enjoy life, living moment to moment. 

“See you. Be you. Do more.”

JH3

When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but wisdom is with the humble

Be Patient

“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”—Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Be patient.  No pain is ever wasted.  Tasting defeat is often the most needed ingredient to succeed.  The blood, sweat, and tears may seem salty at the time but are actually bittersweet.  As you ripen with age the fruits of your labor may make it appear as if such moments are obsolete…but those moments of vulnerability expose you to the lessons you need.  The lessons you need to help you grow and spread, when you may think of yourself as a little sapling left for dead.  The storms that you think may bring your end could actually bring life instead.  Just be patient.

“See you. Be you. Do more.”

JH3