Some Lessons Take Forever

December 25, 2017 By LLH Leave a Comment

“Some lessons take forever to learn.”

Some lessons take forever to learn.

Life has a funny way of teaching us the same lesson over and over until we finally get it. I’ve found that the most important truths aren’t the ones we learn quickly, but the ones that keep showing up, tapping us on the shoulder year after year. These slow-burning lessons—like truly accepting yourself or finding peace in uncertainty—aren’t mastered in a day or even a decade. They’re the work of a lifetime.

What makes these forever-lessons so tricky is that knowing something intellectually is worlds apart from living it. We can understand that worrying doesn’t help, that love matters more than success, or that everyone is fighting their own battles—but turning that knowledge into moment-by-moment awareness? That’s the real journey. And just when you think you’ve figured it out, life throws you a curveball that shows you’ve only scratched the surface.

The beautiful secret is that these never-ending lessons aren’t a sign of failure—they’re exactly how we’re meant to grow. Each time the lesson returns, we understand it a little deeper, embody it a little more fully. I’ve learned to welcome these persistent teachings as old friends rather than annoying reminders of what I haven’t mastered yet. The lessons that take forever to learn are precisely the ones worth learning forever.

So be gentle with yourself when you find you’re still working on the same core truths you’ve been circling for years. That patience, that return to beginners’ mind over and over—that’s not just the path to wisdom, it is wisdom. The lessons that take the longest to learn are usually the ones that matter most, the ones that slowly transform not just what we know, but who we are.

When You’re in Love, Truly in Love

December 19, 2017 By LLH Leave a Comment

“When you’re in love, truly in love, you never have to question it.” – Michael Faudet

When Love Speaks Clearly

True love doesn’t come with confusion. When you’ve found the real thing, it settles in your bones with a certainty that feels like coming home. You don’t spend nights tossing and turning, analyzing text messages or wondering where you stand. That peaceful knowing—it’s like finally exhaling a breath you didn’t realize you were holding. The questions that used to plague your relationships simply dissolve.

This doesn’t mean perfect relationships don’t have challenges. Even the strongest love stories include disagreements and tough conversations. But there’s a difference between working through normal conflicts and constantly questioning the foundation itself. Real love provides a solid ground beneath your feet, even when you’re navigating stormy weather together. You might question how to handle situations, but you don’t question the love itself.

Many of us were taught that love should be dramatic—full of grand gestures, intense emotions, and sometimes even pain. We confuse anxiety with passion, and uncertainty with excitement. But authentic love actually brings clarity, not confusion. It’s like putting on glasses after years of squinting—suddenly everything comes into focus. The constant analysis and doubt that exhausted you in previous relationships is replaced by a simple, profound knowing.

If you find yourself with someone and constantly wonder “is this love?” or “do they really care about me?”—listen to that inner voice. Your heart knows the truth. When you experience genuine love, those questions fade away, replaced by certainty that doesn’t need constant reassurance. You deserve the kind of love that speaks so clearly you never have to strain to hear it. True love doesn’t whisper—it announces itself with quiet confidence that resonates through your entire being.

I Don’t Want Perfection

December 19, 2017 By LLH Leave a Comment

“I don’t want perfection, but I do expect effort.”

The Beauty of Effort, Not Perfection

We often get caught up chasing perfection—that flawless job, perfect relationship, or ideal life. But here’s the truth: perfection is an impossible standard that leaves us feeling like we’re never enough. What really matters is effort. When I say “I don’t want perfection, but I do expect effort,” I’m acknowledging that mistakes are part of being human. What counts is showing up, trying your best, and caring enough to put your heart into whatever you’re doing.

Think about the people you admire most in your life. Are they perfect? Of course not. What makes them special is how they keep going when things get tough. They push through challenges, learn from setbacks, and grow stronger along the way. The magic isn’t in getting everything right—it’s in having the courage to try, fail, and try again. When you shift your focus from achieving perfection to simply giving your best effort, you’ll feel a weight lift off your shoulders.

This mindset change can transform every part of your life. In relationships, it means accepting that neither you nor your loved ones will always say or do the right thing, but you can commit to showing up with love and intention. At work, it means recognizing that your value isn’t in being flawless, but in being someone who consistently puts in the effort to learn and improve. Even with personal goals like health or creativity, celebrating your effort rather than perfect results helps you stay motivated when progress feels slow.

Remember that effort is a choice we make every day, in both big moments and small ones. It’s deciding to listen when you’re tired, to be patient when it’s difficult, to try again when you’ve failed. While perfection is an unreachable destination, effort is the beautiful journey that makes life meaningful. By expecting effort—from yourself and others—you create space for growth, authenticity, and genuine connection. And in that space, you’ll find something far more valuable than perfection could ever offer: a life fully and imperfectly lived.

Someone Who Takes the Time to Listen

December 3, 2017 By LLH Leave a Comment

“Someone who takes the time to listen when we are at our lowest is rare and should be valued.”

The Precious Gift of Being Heard

When we’re drowning in our darkest moments, someone who truly listens is like finding water in a desert. They don’t rush to fix you or change the subject when things get uncomfortable. They sit with you in that painful place, making space for your messy feelings without judgment. These rare souls deserve our deepest appreciation because they’re doing something that most people find incredibly difficult—being fully present with another person’s suffering.

I’ve learned through my own journey that our culture trains us to run from pain—both our own and others’. We’re taught to offer quick solutions, silver linings, or distractions. “Have you tried yoga?” “At least you have your health!” Sound familiar? But true healing begins when someone holds space for our whole truth without trying to rewrite it. The people who can sit with us in our raw, unfiltered moments are practicing a form of love that’s becoming increasingly rare in our distracted world.

The next time someone offers you this gift of genuine listening, notice how it feels in your body. There’s a release that happens, isn’t there? Your shoulders might drop, your breath might deepen. That’s your nervous system recognizing safety. And when you feel truly heard, something magical happens—you start hearing yourself more clearly too. The answers you’ve been desperately searching for often emerge naturally in the presence of someone who creates enough silence and safety for your inner wisdom to speak.

Remember that being this kind of listener for others is a practice we can cultivate too. You don’t need special training—just the courage to be uncomfortable without rushing to fix things. Try putting away your phone, making eye contact, and asking “What’s that like for you?” instead of jumping to advice. The people in your life who are hurting don’t always need solutions—sometimes they just need to know they’re not facing the darkness alone. By becoming this rare type of listener, you’ll transform not only your relationships but potentially someone’s entire life journey.

Sometimes the Simplest Hello

December 3, 2017 By LLH Leave a Comment

Sometimes the simplest “hello” changes your entire world.

The Profound Impact of a Simple “Hello”

Sometimes the simplest “hello” changes your entire world. That little word might seem ordinary, but it carries enormous power. Think about it – every relationship you’ve ever had started with some version of “hello.” Your closest friend, your partner, your mentor – all began with that tiny moment of connection. I’ve watched countless lives transform because someone found the courage to say hello to a stranger or respond to an unexpected greeting. Those brief exchanges open doors we never knew existed.

When we close ourselves off from these small interactions, we cut off potential paths to joy, growth, and opportunity. I’ve worked with so many clients who trace their biggest life breakthroughs back to casual hellos – the job offer that came from chatting with someone in a coffee line, the friendship that blossomed from a neighborly wave, the business partnership born from a quick introduction at an event. The universe works through these seemingly random connections, presenting us with exactly what we need when we’re open to receiving it.

This isn’t just feel-good advice – it’s practical wisdom for living better. Research shows that even brief positive social interactions boost our mood and reduce stress. When you greet someone with warmth and presence, you’re not just potentially changing their day – you’re literally altering your brain chemistry for the better. You’re creating tiny ripples of goodness that extend outward in ways you might never see. The smallest gestures often carry the most profound impact.

The magic happens when your hello comes from an authentic place. People can feel the difference between empty politeness and genuine connection. Make eye contact. Smile with your whole being. Be truly present in that moment. You don’t need fancy words or impressive credentials – just the courage to acknowledge another human being with openness. This simple practice can transform not just your social life but your entire approach to existence.

So tomorrow, I challenge you to say hello to someone new. Or say it differently to someone familiar. Notice what shifts inside you. Pay attention to what possibilities emerge. This isn’t about forcing uncomfortable social interactions – it’s about recognizing the sacred opportunity in each moment of connection. When you truly understand that every relationship, opportunity, and adventure begins with the equivalent of “hello,” you’ll never again underestimate the power of those two small syllables. Your next life-changing moment might be just one greeting away.

Life Is Too Short to Worry About What People

November 28, 2017 By LLH Leave a Comment

“Life is too short to worry about what people, who exist in a free app in your phone, think of you.” – Debra Lynne

Life Beyond the Screen: Finding Freedom from Digital Approval

The people who exist in free apps on your phone aren’t real parts of your life. They’re just digital echoes behind glass—strangers passing judgment on carefully curated moments they see for a few seconds. Yet somehow, their thumbs up or down can make or break our day. Why do we give this power away? Each minute spent worrying about these distant opinions is a minute stolen from your actual life—from the people who know your laughter, who’ve seen you cry, who choose to love you not for your highlights but for your whole story.

Think about it: the most meaningful connections in your life didn’t happen through likes or comments. They happened through shared experiences, through vulnerable conversations, through being fully present. Your grandparents didn’t build lifelong friendships by obsessing over what strangers thought of them. The wisdom of generations tells us that peace comes from living authentically, not from chasing validation from people who know only fragments of who you are.

The truth is, when you’re taking your last breaths someday, you won’t be thinking about that comment section or how many followers you had. You’ll be thinking about the sunsets you watched, the hands you held, the dreams you chased, and the love you gave freely. The digital world tricks us into believing attention equals worth. But worth isn’t measured in views—it’s measured in how fully you lived, how kindly you loved, and how courageously you faced each day as your true self.

Here’s a simple practice: Next time you feel that pang of anxiety about what internet strangers think, take a deep breath and name five people whose opinions actually matter to you. Not fifty, not five hundred—just five. These are your people. These are the voices worth listening to. And even they don’t get the final say in who you are. That honor belongs only to you. Your worth was established long before smartphones existed, and it will remain unchanged no matter what happens online.

Freedom begins when you realize that other people’s opinions are just that—opinions. They’re not facts about who you are. The people scrolling through apps are dealing with their own insecurities, their own struggles, their own limited perspectives. Their judgment says more about them than it could ever say about you. So live boldly. Post what brings you joy. Say what feels true. Or maybe just put the phone down altogether and feel the sunshine on your face. The real world—with all its messy, beautiful, unfiltered glory—is waiting for you to fully join it. And I promise, it’s so much better than any app could ever be.

Courage Is Not Only Getting Through

November 27, 2017 By LLH Leave a Comment

“Courage is not only getting through today, but knowing that tomorrow you’ll do even more to better your life. Believe in your strength.” – Lee

Finding Your Inner Strength

Every day you wake up with a chance to be braver than you were yesterday. Courage isn’t just about surviving tough moments or pushing through difficult days—it’s about looking ahead with hope and determination. When you make it through today’s challenges, you’re already proving something powerful: you have what it takes. But true courage comes when you believe that tomorrow holds even more possibility, when you trust that you’ll wake up ready to take another step forward, to grow a little more, to become slightly stronger than you are right now.

Your strength isn’t something that runs out or disappears when times get tough. It’s more like a muscle that grows each time you use it. Those moments when you feel most tested—when you’re afraid but take action anyway, when you’re uncertain but make a choice, when you’re tired but keep going—these are the exact moments your inner strength is developing. The beautiful thing about personal growth is that it compounds over time. Each brave choice you make today makes tomorrow’s brave choices a little easier.

Most people mistake courage for fearlessness, but that’s not what it is at all. Courage is moving forward while carrying your fears with you. It’s acknowledging your doubts and uncertainties and saying, “I see you, but you don’t get to decide what I’m capable of.” When you start treating your fears as normal passengers on your journey rather than roadblocks, you’ll find yourself taking steps you never thought possible. Your life begins to expand in ways you couldn’t have imagined.

The path to a better life isn’t always dramatic or obvious. Sometimes courage looks like small, consistent choices—getting up fifteen minutes earlier, having that difficult conversation, putting aside money when you’d rather spend it, or simply choosing to believe in yourself when everything seems to be going wrong. These seemingly small acts of courage add up over time, building momentum in your life. Before you know it, you’re standing somewhere new, looking back in amazement at how far you’ve come.

Remember that believing in your strength isn’t about ignoring your weaknesses or pretending you have all the answers. It’s about honoring your journey, including your struggles and setbacks. It’s about recognizing that you’ve survived every difficult day so far—and that’s proof enough that you have what it takes to face whatever comes next. Your potential isn’t fixed or limited; it grows with every brave choice you make. So take a deep breath, stand a little taller, and trust in your ability to create the life you want—one courageous day at a time.

Your Mental Health Should Be

August 28, 2017 By LLH Leave a Comment

“Your mental health should be a priority.”

Your Mental Health Matters More Than You Think

Making your mental health a priority isn’t just good advice—it’s essential for living a full life. Think about it: we service our cars, update our phones, and clean our homes regularly, but many of us push our minds to the breaking point without a second thought. Your mental wellbeing deserves the same attention you give to everything else in your life, if not more. Taking time for yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary maintenance for the most important tool you’ll ever own: your mind.

The world won’t slow down just because you need a break, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take one. I’ve worked with countless people who believed they could power through anxiety, stress, and burnout—until they couldn’t anymore. Small daily practices can prevent major breakdowns later. Whether it’s five minutes of morning meditation, a lunchtime walk without your phone, or saying “no” to that extra commitment—these aren’t luxuries, they’re investments in your ability to show up fully for everything else that matters to you.

Your thoughts create your reality, which means your mental health directly impacts every aspect of your life. When your mind is healthy, challenges become opportunities rather than threats. Relationships deepen instead of draining you. Work becomes purposeful instead of just paying bills. The quality of your thinking determines the quality of your life, and protecting that quality means setting boundaries, practicing self-compassion, and sometimes disappointing others to honor what you need.

The people who truly care about you want you to be well, not just productive. Many of us were raised to believe our value comes from what we accomplish or provide for others. But you’re worthy of care simply because you exist. When you start treating yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a good friend, everything shifts. The inner critic gets quieter. Shame loses its grip. You begin making choices from a place of self-respect rather than fear or obligation.

Mental health isn’t a destination—it’s a daily practice. Some days will be harder than others, and that’s perfectly normal. The goal isn’t to eliminate all difficult emotions but to build a relationship with yourself that can weather any storm. Start where you are. Ask for help when you need it. Celebrate small victories. Remember that taking care of your mental health isn’t just about feeling better—it’s about becoming the person you’re capable of being and creating the life you truly want. Your future self is counting on the choices you make today.