Scott Stabile

Many of us have gotten so used to playing to the expectations of society, of our families,of our friends, and of our minds, that we don__ even allow ourselves to consider who we really are or what we really need. We ignore the callsof our hearts, giving our lives, instead, to thedemands of an outside world built on fitting in.We can stop this, right now. We can choose to listen to ourselves, to heed our deepest callings,whatever they are. We can give ourselves thefreedom to be whoever the hell we want to bein this world. Right now, if we choose to.And why wouldn__ we?

If only I could spend all days surrounded by people brave enough to open their hearts for real.

The only way to free yourself from all the anxiety you__e feeling about the difficult conversation you know you need to have is by having the difficult conversation. It__ time. It__ been time. You__l survive it. Just be brave and start talking.

You get a medal for being tough.

listen to me,you__e got this.seriously, you__e got this.

there are no quick fixes. If we want our lives to change, we have to do the work.

How can we expect the world to change if we are unwilling to change ourselves? We hate the haters, judge the judgers, and refuse to forgive the supposed unforgivable. We are hypocrites, most of us, comfortable condemning others for the same things we do. Like sheep we follow, like wolves we attack, like fools we listen to the loudest voices, even when they scream nothing but hate. We are lost in our desire to be like everyone else, and paralyzed in our fear to be ourselves. We are desperate to feel safe amidst our cries for retaliation and more wars. Where is the common sense? If we want to end war, then be peaceful. If we want to know love, then stop hating. if we want to find happiness, then let go of negativity, and befriend gratitude. real change isn__ born from making the same choices over and over, especially choices muddied with insecurity and fear. we can__ wrest ourselves from darkness by turning out our light. everything just gets darker then. Let's worry less about changing the world and more about changing ourselves. That, we can do, each one of us. With commitment and work. And a single candle does wonders in even the darkest of nights.

Compassion will lead you to extraordinary worlds your fear doesn't dare visit.

We rarely find answers in the distractions. But oh what possibilities live within the quiet of solitude.In my fear to be alone,I distracted myself away from the deep beauty of my own solitude.

Books and workshops and gurus are great, but the very best teacher for your mind is, and will always be, your heart.

Often we have to remind our minds that the job of asshole is already taken.

I'm realizing that some of my greatest (or at least most determined) genius lies in my ability to procrastinate.

Remember to tell those you love just how much you love them. Tell them why too. Let them know what a beautiful difference their presence makes in your life. Remind them they are unique and wonderful and important. And then toss in a kiss for good measure.

Find people who can handle your darkest truths, who don__ change the subject when you share your pain, or try to make you feel bad for feeling bad. Find people who understand we all struggle, some of us more than others, and that there__ no weakness in admitting it. Find people who want to be real, however that looks and feels, and who want you to be real, too. Find people who get that life is hard, and who get that life is also beautiful, and who aren__ afraid to honor both of those realities. Find people who help you feel more at home in your heart, mind and body, and who take joy in your joy. Find people who love you, for real, and who accept you, for real. Just as you are. They__e out there, these people. Your tribe is waiting for you. Don__ stop searching until you find them.

I will love you through everything. Can you do yourself the same honor?

If you want to change someone, start and end with yourself. You're all you've got control over.yes, other people can change.no, you can__ change other people.

I changed for the better when I quit expecting others to.

I forgive you, but I won__ forget what you did_not in some threatening, I don__ really forgive you kind of way_ but just because what you did was shitty and really hurt me and I can__ imagine it suddenly disappearing from my memory. In a way, it__ even cooler that I__l remember that shitty thing you did to me, and you__l remember that shitty thing I did to you. That means we didn__ need to forget that we hurt each other in order to love each other still. We figured out a way to forgive each other, for real, and still be friends. How beautiful, yes? Let__ never forget that, either.