The Daily Reset

 In a world that often demands more than it gives, the paths we take…whether chosen deliberately or shaped by the pressures of our environment and the people around us can easily lead us astray. 

The constant pull of obligations, expectations and every subtle pressure to conform slowly erodes our sense of self. We lose touch with our identity, forgetting who we truly are, why we are here and how we’ve been reduced to roles in someone else’s narrative, abandoning the script we once wrote for ourselves. 

We need that “Daily Reset”, a moment to pause and remember, a moment to breathe before the world rushes in with its noise and demands. 

We are not escaping responsibility, but in that stillness, we gather the scattered pieces of ourselves and listen to the quiet voice within. 

It is there we remind ourselves that we are not machines built to meet expectations, but souls meant to live with intention.

“The Fort I Never Left (Because I Was Broke)”

 

Wars aren’t won by the might of armies,
but by how well-fed they are.
And me? I’ve been running on zeroes so long,
even my shadow stopped following me...it couldn’t afford the rent.

I never left my fort.
Not because I was brave,
but because I couldn’t afford the toll at the drawbridge.
Turns out, courage is easier when you’ve got snacks.

A dear friend once said,
“You have many knives, but not a single blade that’s sharp.”
And I laughed,
because I’ve been collecting tools like a sentimental hoarder...
each one dull, but emotionally significant.

I’ve got ambition in a jar,
next to expired dreams and a coupon for hope
that no longer scans at checkout.

Still, I sit here,
in my dusty little keep,
watching the world march by in polished boots,
while I patch my socks with metaphors
and ration my laughter like it’s the last tin of sardines.

But don’t mistake stillness for surrender.
Even a dull blade can glint in the right light.
And one day, when the pantry of my spirit is restocked,
I’ll step out...not to conquer,
but to dance awkwardly in the sun
and maybe sharpen one knife… just enough to slice an apple.

There Will Be Days We Forget

There will be days we forget,

The vows we whispered to the dawn,

When virtue feels a distant debt,

And all our better selves are gone.

The path we walked with steadfast grace

Grows faint beneath the weight of haste,

And shadows creep to take the place

Where light once burned with purpose chaste.

Yet still, the heart remembers true,

The kindness sown, the love held dear,

The discipline that shaped us through

Each faltering and doubt-filled year.

For though the mind may lose its way,

The soul still knows the creed it keeps:

To rise, though storms may lead astray,

To sow though barren are the steeps.

So, when forgetfulness draws near,

And all our truths seem worn and thin,

Let practice call the core back clear

Begin again, and start anew.

I'm Not Toxic.

 I insist I’m just the weather, never the flood,

a breeze that happens to bend your branches low.

My words? Mere sparks. If your forests combust,

blame dry roots, not the flicker of what I know.

I don’t twist truths, I polish them smooth,

like stones made to skip where the water’s unclear.

You call it fog. I call it a mirror.

who’s to say what’s distortion or fear?

So, what if my silence blooms thorns overnight?

If my laughter’s a door you can’t pry open?

Toxins need intent. I’m just… honest light

revealing cracks in the glass you’ve been holding.

But here’s the bruise no one sees:

the louder I swear I’m not poison, the more

the air tastes of rust and the ghost of a plea

choking the soil where your roses once tore.

Making Ends Meet.

I chase the ends from dusk till dawn,
Feed dying dreams to dying flames.
They flicker just beyond my grasp,
While despair sings forgotten memories.


I toil today while others dream,
Stitching hope into a fraying seam.
And if tomorrow’s light should fade,
At least I’ll know the price I paid.

A Life Hardened by Choice

The road was split, the path was mine,  

No guiding hand, no fate’s design.  

I forged ahead with will of stone,  

Each step, each scar, I claimed alone.  

No gentle breeze, no soothing tide,  

Just storms I faced with hollow pride.  

The choices made, the price they bore,  

Locked every window, sealed each door.  

Yet in the weight of all I’ve braved,  

A soul was burned, a heart was saved.  

For though my hands are rough with cost,  

They're proof of all I’ve built, not lost.  

Passion, Patience, and Love.

 This year, I have given my children a guiding theme: Passion, Patience, and Love.

These three values form a strong foundation for both personal growth and meaningful relationships. When we cultivate them within ourselves, they naturally extend to the way we interact with others.

Passion

Passion fuels purpose. Within ourselves, it means discovering what excites and fulfills us—whether in our careers, hobbies, or personal goals—and pursuing it with energy and dedication. When shared with others, passion becomes an inspiration. It encourages us to uplift those around us, share our enthusiasm, and support others in their own pursuits. A life driven by passion brings joy and motivation, both for ourselves and those we encounter.

Patience

Patience teaches us to embrace the journey. It means allowing growth to unfold at its own pace, understanding that challenges and setbacks are a natural part of progress. It calls for self-compassion when things don’t go as planned. In our relationships, patience enables us to listen without judgment, accept differences, and navigate conflicts with understanding. When we practice patience, we cultivate deeper connections and create a more peaceful, harmonious environment.

Love

Love is at the heart of everything. Loving ourselves means embracing who we are, practicing self-kindness, and prioritizing our well-being. When we nurture love within, we are better able to extend it to others—through compassion, support, and genuine care. Love in action means choosing kindness over criticism, forgiveness over resentment, and connection over division. It transforms both our inner world and the way we engage with those around us.

By living with Passion, Patience, and Love, we not only enrich our own lives but also create a ripple effect of positivity in the world. When we embody these values, they shape our interactions with family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers, fostering a world that is more understanding, connected, and full of warmth.

 

Respectfully, I don’t go above and beyond for people anymore.

I meet you as far as you meet me.

I speak to you as much as you speak to me.

I include you as much as you include me.

"People are not angered by what they have lost but by their thoughts about the loss."

 

"People are not angered by what they have lost but by their thoughts about the loss."

 

Our emotions are often shaped by our perceptions and thoughts rather than by the objective reality of events.

When people think about what they’ve lost, they might not just mourn the absence of the object, opportunity, or relationship itself. Instead, they grieve over:

Attachment and Sentimentality:
People attach memories, identity, or emotions to objects. For example, an old sweater might not be useful, but it represents a cherished memory, making it hard to discard.

Fear of Regret:
The thought, "What if I need this someday?" or "Will I regret letting this go?" creates anxiety, even if the item no longer serves a purpose.

Perceived Loss of Identity:
Objects often symbolize who we are or who we were. Letting go of them can feel like letting go of a part of oneself.

Cognitive Biases:

• Sunk Cost Fallacy: Feeling compelled to keep something because of the effort or money spent on it.
• Endowment Effect: Overvaluing items simply because they belong to us.

Nostalgia and Narrative:
People may focus on what the object represents rather than its current usefulness, creating resistance to letting go.

Across The Driveway

 As we were getting ready to leave, my wife, standing across the driveway, called out to our son, “Did you take pocket money for recess today?”

From the back seat of the car, he replied, “Yes.”

A moment later, she repeated, “Did you take pocket money for recess today?”

He answered again, this time a bit louder, “Yes!”

Not long after, she asked the same question a third time: “Did you take pocket money for recess today?”

Frustrated now, he shouted, “YES!!”

I glanced at him and asked calmly, “Do you know what’s wrong with this scenario?”

 

A classic example of miscommunication and persistence meeting frustration!

The likely "wrong" thing here could be the repetitive questioning, despite his consistent responses.

From his perspective, he might feel unheard or disbelieved, which escalates his tone.

Meanwhile, my wife’s repeated questioning might come from a place of concern or simply not catching his initial response due to distractions.

In truth, neither he nor my wife had been looking at each other, and with the car window wound up, she probably couldn’t hear his responses clearly in the first place!

The lack of visual cues and the physical barrier of the closed car window had caused the miscommunication.

It was a simple yet common mistake, a gentle reminder of how much we rely on more than just words to understand each other.