Monica Berg's Blog, page 24

Aries: 12 Days, 12 Ways to Manifest Your Destiny!

If you’re looking for a way to change your future for the better, you’re in luck! As the first month in the Kabbalistic calendar, the month of Aries (Nissan in Hebrew) offers a powerful practice to set the course for all the months ahead. Enter The Aries 12-Day Challenge!

Kabbalist Rav Isaac Luria (the Ari) taught that the first 12 days of Aries are directly aligned with the energies of the next 12 months of the year. By tapping into each day’s cosmic potential–starting from day one (corresponding to the month of Aries) to day two (corresponding to Taurus), and so on through the zodiac–we can manifest our destiny for the year ahead!

Here’s a summary of the celestial opportunity each day offers, along with key questions to guide you in maximizing the potency of the moment:

March 23 (Aries): Begin the new month by looking outside of yourself and helping others. Consider past mistakes or regrets, and find ways to make amends. Set your focus outward and see what’s needed most in your family, community, and beyond, and then take a step today toward making a difference. Access your inner empath and attune yourself to others’ experiences, not just your own. ASK: What can I do for someone else today?

March 24 (Taurus): Seek out newness! Kabbalah teaches us to embrace discomfort by stretching outside of our comfort zones. Today, do something that makes you (even a little) uncomfortable. Try a new food…walk a new path… take an adventure or make a new friend. It only takes one change to spark radical transformation in our lives. ASK: How can I shake up my routine today? Where in my life can I say YES to change?

March 25 (Gemini): This is a day to stay the course and finish tasks. The energy of Gemini can lead us to procrastinate, but we can also harness it as a call to action! So today, finish something that you’ve started. Or continue an ongoing task that you may otherwise have kept for a rainy day. If you’re up to starting something new, create a step-by-step plan, and start today. ASK: What will I start, continue, or finish today? And how will I hold myself accountable for seeing it through?

March 26 (Cancer): The PRESENT MOMENT is what matters most today. Stay tuned to what is, rather than to what was or will be. Count your blessings (writing them down may help!). If any thoughts, behaviors, or possessions have been holding you back, it’s time to leave them behind for good. Clear your closets, clear your mind, and realize that all of your power lies in THIS moment. ASK: What can I let go of today to create more space and energy in my life NOW?

March 27 (Leo): Leo brings out our magnetism and leadership qualities. This is the perfect day to step into your role as a leader and uniter. Remember, a great leader also models respect and genuine concern for others. Part of that means learning how to not just listen but to truly hear the thoughts and feelings of those around you and to act from empathy, rather than from ego. ASK: How can I lead with compassion and kindness today?

March 28 (Virgo): The cosmic quest of the Virgo is to relinquish the illusion of control. We may believe that we can steer the course of someone else’s actions or thoughts, but the truth is, we can only drive our own. And that is powerful in itself! Today, be true to yourself above all. Avoid judgment of others–and while you’re at it, give yourself the same courtesy. ASK: How can I understand more and judge less today?

March 29 (Libra): This day is all about TRUST. Know that you are on the right path, and don’t second guess yourself (that Libra energy can sometimes magnify our feelings of doubt). Each of us is on a journey that will lead us to where we need to be, as long as we connect with this certainty! Trust in the Light, and you will know the way. ASK: Which path (or activity or thought) makes me feel most aligned with the Light?

March 30 (Scorpio): Compassion is the focus today. With Scorpio’s emotional intensity influencing us, we may feel some mood swings or emotional turbulence. Find your inner calm, and remember all the goodness you possess. The more you cultivate self-love, the more you’ll be able to shed anger, jealousy, and other unproductive emotions and replace them with compassion. ASK: Am I holding onto negative emotions? How can I release them today and replace them with positive, loving thoughts and actions?

March 31 (Sagittarius): Today, think before you react. You don’t need to rush things; it’s better to fully understand all the possibilities before you proceed. Look for the things in your life you care the most about and examine what commitments or behaviors are not aligned with them. And when reacting to others, do the same: stop, think, and act with kindness! ASK: What matters most to me? What have I missed in the big picture, and how can I act and react with more care and sensitivity?

April 1 (Capricorn): This is a day to reconnect with relationships more deeply. Feel the love! Spread the love! In order to create more intimacy with others (and ourselves), we need to embrace vulnerability. Express your feelings and show your true colors to those closest to you. Achieving goals and acquiring “things” may have a place in our lives, but nothing brings more texture and richness to our days than the people we choose to keep close. ASK: How can I open myself to accept and give more love today?

April 2 (Aquarius): The Aquarian energy is one of deep independence and originality. Yet, in marching to the beat of our own drum, we may overlook or forget the value (and power!) of teamwork. Today, remember that you can be BOTH original (because you are!) AND part of something greater. This is an ideal day to find a new way to cooperate or collaborate with others. The rewards will be worth the effort! ASK: How can I move from the “me” to the “we” today?

April 3 (Pisces): You may feel particularly sensitive under the Piscean influence today. But instead of letting yourself spiral into feelings of victimhood or self-pity, harness that sensitivity into positive thoughts and emotions. Cultivate empathy. Choose joy, which is strong in the cosmic realm today! Release any blame, criticism, or guilt you’ve been harboring, and remember that you are both the driver and the vehicle in your own journey. ASK: How can I proactively create more joy and fulfillment in my life today?

Rav Berg compared Aries to the planting of seeds–it’s a month full of infinite potential. And luckily, the sign of Aries is ruled by Mars and is represented by the ram–both of which signify action. The Aries 12-Day Challenge invites us to actively clear the way for our best year ahead! So mark your calendar for each day’s unique power, and let the growing daylight of the season mirror the ever-increasing Light in you!

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Spring is a State of Mind: 3 Tips for Staying Forever Young (in spirit)

By this time next week, spring will have sprung–whether the view out your window says so or not! And, as Spanish poet Juan Ramón Jiménez wrote, “You are reborn with the roses in every spring.”

Because even if we can’t quite see it yet, change is in the air! And it’s the kind that makes us all feel a sense of newness. Things are stirring beneath the surface–both literally and figuratively. We can almost taste those ripe berries in season… feel the balmy breezes… smell the perfumed nights and hear the crickets’ songs to come. And, as the spring equinox shifts the balance towards more light and longer days, we can also feel a surge in our own energy.

No matter our age or stage in life, we can tap into the potent, life-affirming qualities of this time. Here are a few tips (from spring itself!) to help you reclaim your evergreen side as well:

1) Clear out the old to make way for the new!

 

The idea of “spring cleaning” originated straight from the source: Nature undergoes a natural cleansing cycle in small and big ways each spring. Perennials shuffle off dried stalks and foliage, enriching the soil for new growth. Spring rains help purify both the air and the soil. And many birds leave their old nests to build new ones in the spring.

Fortunately, we don’t need to switch our address to feel the benefits of a good spring cleaning! As author Eric Riddle writes, “Clear your stuff; clear your mind.” This is a great time to sweep out the cobwebs and tidy up your spaces. Keep only what you truly need or love, and donate the rest.

Riddle also suggests that clutter in one area of our lives often spills into others. Have you deleted those old files on your laptop lately? Or simplified your schedule where you can? Pay attention, too, to the thoughts and habits that haven’t been serving you (a.k.a. the “mental deadwood”). Believe it or not, they are the mulch for the future garden of YOU. Even our negative behaviors have something to teach us. But we can’t change anything if we continue to sweep it under the rug. That’s not clearing; it’s burying!

So roll up the carpets! Examine the whys of your thoughts and actions by the light of the spring sun. From there, you can finally address them and commit to a better way. And that’s how we ready the soil for the roots and shoots to come.

2) Embrace movement and change.

Let’s be honest: bone-chilling weather doesn’t always inspire that “get up and go” feeling. Just ask any bear… hibernation is a thing! If you have kept your fitness routine through the winter, kudos! For me, it’s a daily must–as much for my mental well-being as for my physical health.

But now that the sap is rising, so can we! Youth is all about movement and suppleness. Our bodies were made for dancing, climbing, swimming, rowing, biking, stretching, and shimmying! Even a short walk in that fresh spring air can have tremendous health benefits.

According to a recent study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal, for every 2000 steps we take each day, our risk of premature death is potentially reduced by 8-11%. Walking has been shown to improve almost every system in our bodies, either directly or indirectly. Even if you’re still in the snow zone, you can still bundle up a little less and get out a little more. We may not be able to speed up the transition to spring, but we can certainly make getting there more fun!

Activist Gloria Steinem talks about how she keeps an “on the road” mindset, always welcoming the inevitable transitions that life brings. She likens this state of mind to the way birds fly along the currents of the wind. As a self-professed “Change Junkie,” I, too, believe that openness to change is the most essential ingredient in our growth and transformation! This is prime time to get out there and learn a new skill. Or sign up for that class. Dare to get uncomfortable (yes, you heard that right… because real change requires stepping out of our comfort zone!).

Most everything born in nature requires either a break–think of a sprout cracking the seed’s hull–or pain, or both. True growth is rarely easy, but it’s always worth the sacrifice!

3) Be purposeful, and take your time.

Poet e. e. cummings mused at the way spring “comes carefully out of Nowhere” to rearrange things slowly and deliberately. And how true it is! A new bud here, a peek of green there… and suddenly (it seems), all these tiny changes become a vibrant, blooming landscape!

The lesson? We don’t need to overhaul our lives all at once to make changes that matter. We can plant a seed here. Another there. We can get back in touch with our purpose… look at our goals with fresh eyes. We needn’t rush things to see them through. The most important thing is that we take one step–or make one change or adjustment–every day. (Stay tuned for next week’s Aries 12-Day Challenge, which may be just the inspiration to get you started!)

Henry David Thoreau wrote, “We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake…. by an infinite expectation of the dawn” –that perpetual new beginning. This is the true spirit of spring.

From a Kabbalistic perspective, this opportunity presents itself at every moment of every day. There is, in each instant, a new Light. A new chance. A new choice. Essentially, a new you!

And on that note, I hope this week finds you with a spring in your step, in more ways than one.

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Yes, It Really IS the Thought That Counts

This week some of us celebrated Purim, a holiday that reaffirms the power of the Light to overcome the forces of darkness or evil in the world. And our greatest tool for channeling that Light? The act of giving! In fact, that power is so potent during this time, we can literally intercept those negative forces and block their ability to manifest. But how do we know that our giving will make a real difference? And how do we decide where and how to give of ourselves to best elevate ourselves and the world?

Way back in the 12th century, Rabbi Maimonides outlined the “levels of Tzedakah,” also known as The Ladder of Giving. His ideas are as relevant today as they were back then (talk about being ahead of your time!). Keep in mind, though, that giving isn’t just about money. We can give of our time. Our energy. Even our spirit. Sometimes the greatest gifts can’t be seen… such as a smile, a pat on the back, or a word of encouragement in a time of need. So how might one define what determines a higher versus a lower type of giving?

As you might imagine, the lowest form of giving is when we give grudgingly or unenthusiastically. Maybe our spouse asks us to take out the trash, and we do it while grumbling all the way out to the alley. Maybe we feel that we “owe” someone a visit, yet we’d rather be anywhere else–and it shows. In times like these, our gesture comes off like a bad actor reciting lines without feeling. The action is there, but the consciousness is missing. Similarly, when we give less than we can or when we want to make sure that we’re recognized and given credit for our gift–Look, everyone! Aren’t I generous?–we may be doing something good for someone, but our ego is the main character in the play.

Because the point of giving shouldn’t be about us at all. In fact, how our offering might make someone else feel was a key point in Maimonides’ teachings. He considered a mutually anonymous donation close to the top of the ladder. The reason? Because a blind exchange removes both the feeling of shame from the recipient and the element of ego from the giver. No one’s name is in lights, yet someone’s life has been intentionally made better and brighter. Yet the pinnacle of giving is when we give to someone in a way that allows them to help themselves… and we do it happily and without being asked. Thus the old adage: “Give someone a fish, and they will eat for a day. Teach them to fish, and they will eat for a lifetime”!

We all move up and down this ladder, sometimes within a single day. Yet we can always elevate our giving by adjusting the consciousness we bring to it. If we give a person on the street $5, yet we do so with a suspicious or judgmental mind (are they just going to buy wine with this?), we are hovering in the lower realms of the Ladder of Giving. Yet if we give the same person the only dollar we have in our wallet, but we give it with a smile, a full heart, and a sincere wish for this person’s well-being–wine or no wine–then we have raised our gift to a much higher realm.

Thankfully, there are so many ways to give! I’ve thought about this lately as Abigail and I have continued sharing our book, The Gift of Being Different, in an ongoing tour. What has made this experience so meaningful is the way this book’s release has become a “teach a person to fish” endeavor. Because Abigail was brave enough to write about her learning struggles, she created an opportunity to empower others to turn their own challenges into success stories. We’ve heard from many readers who felt seen and understood, in some cases, for the first time ever. The potential impact of this simple children’s book will probably outlive us all!

The lesson? We each have the ability to help someone (or perhaps even many someones) in transformative and lasting ways!

As Kabbalist Karen Berg said, “You must share of yourself in a way that permanently improves the quality of life in this world.” How you choose to give is up to you. Make it a small gesture, or make it a grand one! Share your time, your energy, your money, and your unique gifts.

The Hebrew word for love, ahav, stems from the word hav, which means to give. The more we cultivate a consciousness of love, connection, and true caring for the well-being of others, the more we realize that giving to another is no different from giving to myself. So when we intentionally channel Light to someone else through our act of giving, we open up a circuit to receive more Light and blessings ourselves!

This is how we become more like the Creator… and how the Light wins (again!). Because it has always been–and it will always be–the thought and intention we bring to each moment that matters most of all.

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The Funny Thing About Happiness

It’s no wonder that the song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy!” was sung by a famous Pisces. The effervescent energy in this month is definitely worth singing about… so thank you, Bobby McFarren! Yet, as Kabbalist (and my dear husband) Michael Berg shared last week, “The difference between those of us who will manifest great blessings this month and those of us who won’t lies in how far we’re willing to go out of our way to create laughter and joy!”

That’s because laughter and joy are among our greatest spiritual tools. And they can be found almost anywhere! The holiday of Purim, which falls on March 6-7 this year, celebrates the victorious power of the Light. In the Purim story (read from a scroll called the Megillah), an evil courtier plots to wipe out thousands of people in ancient Persia. Yet irony–a common device used in humor–provides the twists that lead to the tale’s happy ending. Along the way, identities are blurred, a king is transformed, and the villain’s plot becomes his own demise. At Purim, we’re reminded that bringing a “consciousness of Light” to even our most challenging moments can save us from being consumed by them.

Great tragedies aside (as these demand our action first), we don’t have to just “get through” those snags and embarrassments that life presents from time to time. Instead, we can use them to benefit our spiritual evolution! We can connect with happiness most easily when we actively search for the proverbial brighter side. The funny side! Because life is full of absurdities and ironies, and–more often than not–they are closer than we think.

Case in point: Some years back, Michael and I were traveling through the airport at a time when I was VERY pregnant with one of our children. To add to the delights of my extreme physical discomfort, the security screening alarm would NOT. Let. Me. Through! I figured that I’d forgotten some small metal item–maybe a watch, a button, or a pair of earrings. But once every possible trigger had been cleared or removed, I still set off the ominous BUZZ!

Well, you know what that meant: BRING ON THE SEARCH PARTY! So there I was, standing like an overfilled balloon in the pat-down lane, with a kind security woman–and later, a few other well-meaning officers–trying to identify the culprit. (Hint: those pregnancy bras have more scaffolding than most construction sites!)

The point? I might have gotten angry or upset–and sure, it was pretty embarrassing–but instead of lashing out, I just laughed and asked if anyone else wanted to join the party. People passed by and laughed with me. And it felt good to see other stressed-out travelers slow down and smile. Who knows? Maybe that little inconvenience for me made someone else’s trip just a tiny bit better!

And that’s what humor does: it connects us to ourselves and to others. International humorist and author Scott Friedman believes that “the highest form of humor is the ability to laugh at yourself. It’s a leadership quality that shows you accept your flaws and your foolishness, your idiosyncrasies and imperfections.” Likewise, Victor Borge famously said that “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” They’re both right! When we’re having fun, we stop perseverating over what we did or didn’t say or get done today. When we share laughs, we rise above our differences and connect in the moment. The Dalai Lama likes to call himself a “professional laugher” and says his wish is “to see more smiles, real smiles. [And] if we want those smiles, we must create the reasons that make them appear!”

With that in mind, here are a few ideas to help turn up the Light in your day:

Read something funny (because we’re never too old to appreciate Peanuts, Garfield, or The Onion, are we?)When you’re choosing movies or series to watch, go for more comedy and uplifting themes, vs. only violent or dark-themed shows. Many stand-up comedians have great specials worth checking into as well.Listen to uplifting music–and while you’re at it, put on your dancing shoes!Pay attention to the energy of those around you. If someone is consistently a “Debbie Downer,” rethink your relationship with them and the time you’re willing to offer it.Do something FUN! Plan an adventure with the sole goal of creating more happiness and laughter.

Seeking out humor and laughter has health benefits, too. Studies published by the Mayo Clinic have shown that having a good laugh stimulates the heart and lungs and increases feel-good endorphins in the brain. Regular laughter can fortify the immune system and decrease anxiety and depression. In fact, a separate study at Loma Linda University found that laughing reduced stress hormones by up to 70% in participants (Berk et al., 2006).

So this week, find more ways to increase the joy in your life! You don’t need to be stopped at an airport security line to find the humor in life’s little setbacks and annoyances. Learn to embrace both the ridiculous and the miraculous here, there, and everywhere. Because the next level of your growth–and the opportunity to bring more blessings and more Light into your life–is always just a smile or a laugh away!

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Your Own Magic

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Pisces: Reveal What’s Concealed

There’s a saying that when Pisces (Adar) arrives, joy increases! According to Kabbalah, this month is flooded with extra light and happiness in the supernal realm.

Yet the tricky part is this: Pisces tends to be satisfied with life as it is. In a way, this is a wonderful and admirable trait–to be content with our lot in life! And those born under the sign of Pisces have a good excuse for being comfortable with the status quo. Since this month is the last in the Kabbalistic calendar, Pisceans are like the parents of the zodiac. They’ve “been there and done that” through the culmination of all the other signs. But as Kabbalah teaches, it is DESIRE that propels us forward the most, and that helps us grow!

Pisces lives between two worlds. Symbolized by two fish swimming in opposite directions, the energies of this sign are in some ways opposing forces (but remember–opposites CAN attract and create alchemy!). Pisces is ruled by two planets with very different characteristics. Jupiter, the mythical king of the Roman deities, represents growth, learning, expansion, and success. Meanwhile, Neptune, the mythic ruler of the waters, relates to the more esoteric realms. The result? We want to act, yet we want to dream. We want to be happy and desire more out of life, yet our desires may seem hidden beneath the depths of those sometimes-murky Piscean waters. Yet we can channel these forces for our benefit: using that supernatural perception to uncover what’s been hidden and bring it to light–both for ourselves and for the world!

Start by noticing what makes you truly happy now, and then ask yourself what would make you even happier. Kabbalah teaches that we are here to live in joy–because the more we cultivate, the more we have to share! And, since we have access to more light and happiness available this month, we are in an ideal position not only to seek, but to find the things that make our hearts sing.

This may require some emotional excavation. Digging for our own truth. Take some time to get quiet or meditate and connect with yourself. Peer beneath the surface of all the turbulence in your life and get a read on yourself from the calmer depths. No doubt there’s something your heart and spirit want. For instance, do you long for travel in your future? If so, where would you like to go? Look at travel books, find photos, and make lists of where and what you want to explore. Dare to think bigger than you’ve thought possible. The same goes for your “dream” home, career, relationship–or anything else you want to draw into your life. Visualize… do some journaling… create collages or vision boards. Talk about your dreams with a trusted partner or friend. Sometimes the simple act of speaking can help us mine for our truths. And then, each day, take one step towards your desire, and watch what happens!

The month of Pisces can also inspire us to reveal the hidden, darkened corners of the world beyond our own sphere that need our light. As of 2022, around 10 million nonprofit organizations were registered around the world–addressing causes from humanitarian to environmental to almost anything you can think of. That in mind, as you’re delving into the depths of who you are and what you truly want, pay attention to the larger issues that stir you. Or make you angry. Or that somehow nudge you to do something. Don’t ignore them! Instead, access that Jovian energy, and let it move you to act! Consider joining one of those larger efforts… or start a new one… or simply commit to bringing more of that light and joy to your job, your community, and to wherever you feel it’s needed most.

In brief, this month challenges us all to reveal what’s been hidden in ourselves and in the world… and then to illuminate and elevate!

It’s an opportune time to ask:

What do I truly desire?What makes me happy, and how can I access or grow that?And finally, where–and how–can I help bring more light and joy to my family, my community, and the world?

The Book of Ethics says that, while we are not “obligated to complete the work….neither are [we] free to desist from it” (Pirkei Avot 20:21). None of us can save the entire world alone. But we are each responsible for taking a role in its evolution. It starts with the realization that being content with the “status quo” is like throwing a veil over the lamp of your life. Cast it off–and see how quickly the light you reveal glows and grows!

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Who Me, “Normal”? No, Thank You…

Who Me, “Normal”? No, Thank You…

What is “normal”? And is there really any such thing?

I’ve thought a lot about this over the past year–especially around the release of The Gift of Being Different, the book I co-wrote with my youngest daughter Abigail. Our book became possible not despite Abigail’s differences, but because of them! As Kabbalah teaches, what seems to be in the way often IS the way!

Because while the idea of “normal” may have its valid applications, the concept is inherently arbitrary and dependent on context. According to Merriam-Webster, “normal” (adj.) is defined as “conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern; characterized by that which is considered usual, typical, or routine.”

We measure height, weight, and growth charts by such curves from the moment our children are born. And then, there are grade level benchmarks, intelligence quotients, and standardized tests for pretty much every subject and college/post-grad degree. Later on, we define “normal” through averages–be it the average income, cost of a home, number of children, or age for retirement. The list goes on. And it’s easy to pit ourselves and our friends and family against such defined norms.

We wonder, Is my child tall enough? Is she reading at the right age? Is he socially normal and well-adjusted? And that doesn’t include our worries about ourselves! But even an intelligence test can be way off the mark if it’s not given in a person’s native language. And within each set of measures, there will always be those otherwise “normal” people whose results are atypical.

Even in the medical realm, there’s a risk of so-called normalcy being off the mark. Granted, in many instances, deviations from a predetermined standard range may call for interventions. Maybe it’s a change in diet to control that blood sugar. Or a medication to balance hormones. Yet a bodybuilder and a self-proclaimed couch potato may have the same height and weight. In this case, the numbers may not provide a true representation of comparative health.

And when it comes to thinking, measures for a so-called “normal” become even less reliable. We teeter between wanting to “fit in” and longing to be unique. The fashion industry knows this and makes endless profits from that desire to conform. What’s the color that’s most in this spring? (Note: Pantone says it’s magenta!) And don’t forget the “it” hairstyles, skirt lengths, pants shapes, and so on. All this is just a tiny glimpse of all the more deeply ingrained societal norms we’re expected to keep up with. Ultimately, we can wear whatever clothing we want and behave as we wish, yet the prospect of being accepted and respected may hang in the balance of our decisions.

That’s the tightrope we walk: the line between being, thinking, and behaving “normally” while at the same time expressing our individuality. So what’s the remedy?

It’s simple: BE YOURSELF! After all, as Oscar Wilde wrote, “everyone else is taken.”

Part of that self-acceptance means embracing even the less-than-mainstream parts of ourselves. The silly parts. The sometimes-uncomfortable parts. And even the aspects of ourselves that, at times, may prove challenging. Because just as we each have a unique fingerprint, we also have a unique way of thinking, and THAT is a gift!

In other words, let’s celebrate what science calls our neurodiversity. As I suggested earlier, many accomplished people have been described (and often self-described) as thinking differently. In fact–and no surprise!–they often credit their unique thought processing for their accomplishments. Albert Einstein had dyslexia. Marie Curie was said to exhibit symptoms of Asperger’s (on the autism spectrum). Dan Akroyd has always been very open about how his experiences on the spectrum helped inspire his character in Ghostbusters. And Grammy-award-winning musician Billie Eilish isn’t shy in talking about her Tourette syndrome. For her, singing and performing have helped control her minor “tics,” yet she believes they have made her more resilient and self-aware in her life.

The bottom line? “Normal” does not mean “better.” It is a relative and changeable concept, often dependent upon culture, environment, and even era. If someone a hundred years ago had written “LOL” after a passage in a letter, they’d have thoroughly confused the reader. And if I were to stay with an indigenous tribe somewhere in Australia, my language and habits would likely seem odd, if not entirely alien.

So this week, let’s focus less on being “normal” and more on being our authentic selves! I’m not suggesting that you break into a leapfrog move at your next business meeting–because we do live in a society with its own conditions and rules for acceptance. At the same time, and short of causing hurt or pain to others, we are here to manifest the fullness of ourselves and to shine our unique light into the world!

As Maya Angelou once said, “If you’re always trying to be ‘normal,’ you will never know how amazing you can be!”

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