Do not let others tell you what is in your heart. They cannot tell you what your actions mean about your intentions or your character. They can tell you how your actions affected them, how they chose to feel about your actions, and what it means to them. But, never let anyone tell you who you are. 

The more you help others feel their own value, the less the need they will feel to be wanted. 

Compassion is easy when connected. 

Compassion is hard when you feel they are others, when they are outside of you. 

That is when compassion is most needed. 

Reality is what feels or seems real. 

Reality is based on perception. 

Truth is not based on perception. 

Truth is real, but might not be reality. 

 

 

Pain is real. Hiding pain makes it worse. Dealing with it makes it more bearable. Sometimes it means sharing, other times it means avoiding, and other times it means embracing. 

When someone cares, it always shows. 

When someone cares, they show it. 

Emotional awareness is important. Understanding and paying attention to how you feel is needed. Yet, letting how we feel determine our actions will almost always lead us down the wrong path, the easy road, or the way that takes us away from our ultimate goals and objectives. Never let how you feel determine your actions. 

Clarity doesn’t mean you know what will happen.

Clarity doesn’t mean you can see the future.

Clarity is the ability to know what you should and shouldn’t do. 

Words can change lives. 

Each word is important.

No word should be wasted. 

Wasted words are words that do not help you or others. 

Yet, you cannot run out of words, there is always more to use. 

 

One of the most important skills the greatest who ever lived always possessed was the ability to pay attention. This drives awareness, which builds understanding and creates insights. When we pay attention we have a great advantage, since most of the world doesn’t. 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Martin!