Zaid Ismail's Blog, page 58

Believing in yourself

Confidence comes from caring less about what others think of you, and caring more about what you think of yourself. The question is, do you know yourself well enough to have an informed opinion of yourself? When we rely on others for more than just feedback and instead allow them to validate who we are,... Read More

Delusions of Godliness

The delusion of godliness diminishes our capacity to connect with the divine. When we assume ourselves to be above those that behave worse than us, or we assume that we hold within us the capacity and means to punish others, or withhold their reward, be it in this world, or the hereafter, we assume to... Read More

In search of home

Gratitude lays the foundation of the home. Respect builds its walls. Love and compassion provides the roof that protects you from the storm. And passion gives you the windows to allow your soul to breathe. As for faith…faith is the door that opens the path to all of it. Virtues have limited effect or value... Read More

Insomnia, Anxiety, Mental Clutter – Be gone

Here's a technique that I developed many years ago when insomnia was a friend of mine. I've since found it to be very effective for not just insomnia, but also for anxiety, mental clutter, or just overall peace of mind. When you feel anxious or frustrated, or if you're struggling to focus, try this out and let me know how it works for you. This technique is discussed in more detail in my book titled Own Your Sh!t.

You give what you have

I’ve had many interesting discussions with my kids about this topic recently. If they are dishonest about something, I make them aware of the fact that they will only find reason to be honest with others if they find it unacceptable to be dishonest with themselves. What we tolerate by ourselves towards ourselves is what... Read More

New spaces

My daughter has been nesting more than usual recently. And she’s been bullying me for my phone to take photos like these of her nesting efforts. These flowers from the garden are surprisingly cheerful. They look beautiful in the garden, but they really pop in the house. I guess it’s a reminder in a way... Read More

She got chills just hearing about the book

Why we need more idealists

I am an idealist. It attracts mockery, condescension, ridicule and any number of other derogatory and passive aggressive responses from people that want to appear a certain way. But I choose to be an idealist in spite of them. The alternate may be choosing to be a realist. However, experience has taught me that realists... Read More

#MenAreTrash #NotAllMen #AmINext

This is for the men out there. The ones who need to consider what they have become when they find it excusable to strike a woman, or worse, to violate her, or kill her. And for those that may not have been raised by a loving or caring mother, because we know they exist as... Read More

Live, Laugh, Love, and leave a Legacy

Live to love, to laugh, and to leave a legacy. Your material success will only be celebrated after your death if it is of benefit to others. Accumulation of wealth to stroke your ego not only deprives you of the joy of human connection, it also denies you the bonds of beauty that feeds your... Read More