The Hit List - Sometimes the world is dark

“I don’t want to hear anything bad.”

“I won’t share this because it’s too negative.”

“I only want to hear the good stuff.”

On occasion I hear these types of statements in my office. While I understand that no one likes “bad news”, I think ignoring negativity or pretending it doesn’t exist is a bit mistaken.

Sometimes, the world is dark.

Bad things happen all the time. It’s just a fact. If we refuse to acknowledge the hard stuff, we deny whole parts of our lives…and ourselves.

Although I consider myself a happy-go-lucky gal, I’ve had some mighty dark periods in my life.

I know what it’s like to be hungry.

I have more than a few failed relationships behind me.

I’ve tasted loss. Many times.

I’ve been sick (I never talk about this publicly by the way).

I’ve gotten acquainted with violence, betrayal, and robbery.

And I’ve also made some terrible decisions in my life that I later regretted.

Yup.

My world has been very, very dark.

When I signed up for this life, I didn’t pick hunky-dory easy street. And truthfully? No one does.

That’s because the soul learns more through the rough times than it does when the pace is leisurely.

Most of us are learning some pretty big stuff during our time here.

There’s an old story that I love: a king promised a handsome treasure for anyone who could make him feel peaceful all the time. Dozens of people came and tried to no avail. One day, the local sage came down from the mountain and said he had just what the king needed. He handed the king a ring inscribed with the words “This too shall pass.” He instructed the king to look at it whenever life was hard…and whenever life was happy.

Over the months that followed, the king followed the wise man’s instructions. Finally, he found peace and the sage collected his reward.

Moral of the story: nothing is permanent. Not happiness, not pain.

So it is best to not cling to the good times or run from sorrow. Both are equal parts of the human experience. Even the dark stuff can be valuable for it makes us stronger and, more importantly, it teaches us to appreciate the good things. Sit with your shadow when it shows up and know that behind that darkness is a great light waiting to shine again.

“We must taste the bitter before we can taste the sweet.” ~ Unknown

Other stuff:

If you really want to start a business, and start it right, I highly recommend you check out Racheal Cook’s Conscious Business Design. Racheal knows her stuff and her work is SOLID. She is the one person I trust 100% when it comes to smart business stuff. Skip the other programs and sign up before the doors close on January 29: Conscious Business Design.

Stuck indoors with that blizzard? Here is what you need to know about hot toddies, Irish coffee, buttered rum and other hot drinks.

Interesting history about the fight for legalized abortion.

Erotic Photo Hunt is going the way of the dodo it seems.

Listen up: Iggy Pop and Josh Homme teamed up for a new album.

How to waste tons of time and not accomplish anything! Sarah Von Bargen has the solutions, yo.

Why do Americans own guns? This photographer decided to take pics and ask why. Fascinating.

Something to think about: coping with menstruation while homeless. There are a lot of women on the street – how can we help them with this?

I heart this post from Christiana Gaudet: Can we please stop first-worlding spirituality?

Adorable alert: this cat learned to take his own selfies!

Alexandra Franzen reminds us that it all matters.

This post is my favorite of the week: A palliative care doctor writes a thank you note to David Bowie.

Wonder what it was like to be a young black man during the civil rights movement? This post is one you must read.

Tongue tied at dinner? Dr. Suzanne Gelb has some conversation starters for you.

I’m nosy and love knowing what other people do: the nightly routines of 15 successful women.

DJ Khaled gives the best advice. Pillows, pillows.

I want to buy these for all of my friends.

This Siberian hermit is introduced to the 21st century when she is airlifted out of the mountains.

An interview with the director behind David Bowie’s haunting Blackstar video.

While I always say that Dallas from Magic Mike is my spirit animal, I’m also quite fond of RuPaul.

Wisdom from Debra Smouse: routines are essential to achieving your success.

Another great post from Esmé Wang – 2016: Alive.

Paul Jarvis asks: what if we applied minimalism to our mental space? Good question.

On my list of books to read: The Power of Broke: How Empty Pockets, a Tight Budget, and a Hunger for Success Can Become Your Greatest Competitive Advantage

Also: The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World

Why am I such a sucker for adorably-packaged beauty products like this TONYMOLY Pandas Dream So Cool Eye Stick, 1.4 Ounce? I stare at this all the time.

I’m also obsessed with weird skin care products like this: Daiso Japan Reusable Silicon Mask Cover for Sheet Mask Prevent Evaporation Colors May Vary.

It’s probably because I read stuff like this: The Japanese Skincare Revolution: How to Have the Most Beautiful Skin of Your Life–At Any Age. Yes, I am crazy about skin care. CRAZY.

I’ll read anything and everything on prosperity: Easy Breezy Prosperity: The Five Foundations for a More Joyful, Abundant Life. So I can afford more of those bizarre skin care products. Obviously.

What I’m Grateful For:

Space on the couch

Dinner with my son

Feng shui charms

Snappy ring tones

Productivity

Fan mail

Waking up every morning with another chance to get it right

Soundtrack for 1/23/16: I Believe In A Thing Called Love by The Darkness – because it’s just so ridiculous I can’t even…