Marcus Lopes's Blog, page 16
March 1, 2023
The Sit-Down
This is a continuation of ‘The Inner Circle‘
“Is this really necessary?” Michael asked as the male makeup artist brushed his forehead.
“It’ll reduce the glare of the lights,” Sam said and chuckled as he sat down across from Michael. “That’s what happens when you shave your head.”
“Ha-ha.” When the guy moved off, Michael locked gazes with Sam. “You remember what’s off limits?”
“I can’t ask you anything that may compromise national security.” Sam glanced down at the iPad resting on his lap. “That...
February 23, 2023
The 15-Letter Expletive
It happens to us all. We tell ourselves we’re going to sit down and start the book we’ve always wanted to write. Or we’re going to organize our receipts ahead of filing our taxes so that we’re not doing it at the last minute. Or maybe we’re determined to cut out those sugary after-dinner treats, but devour half a bag of Oreos instead and say, “I’ll start tomorrow.” Those are, my dear friends, a few examples that stem from a 15-letter expletive I want us to—as much as humanly possible—learn to ...
February 16, 2023
What’s Wrong with Me?
What’s wrong with me? The question itself raises enough red flags that I already know people will be reaching out to ask if I’m okay. Let me reassure you all, first and foremost, that I’m fine. But in this post-pandemic world, I’m curious to know if others—especially introverts—might be experiencing the same thing: greater resistance to participating in social activities.
Embracing IntroversionI have always been an introvert. Always shy, always blending in with the wallpaper at social function...
February 8, 2023
It’s All About Action
As the saying goes: actions speak louder than words.
How many times do thoughts pass through your head, but you never take any action? I need to write my book marketing plan. But the thought stays in your mental to-do list. Or, Tonight I’ll write this week’s blog post. Instead, you spend the evening scrolling through social media or streaming a series you’ve already watched five times. Or, Tomorrow morning I’m going to work out. Yet, you either hit the snooze but or decide to start the new work...
February 1, 2023
Panster, Plotter, or…?
Panster. Plotter. Democrat. Republican. Night owl. Morning person. Vegan. Pescatarian. It’s funny (or maybe not?) how we like to put labels on everything. Maybe it’s because labels let us fit in and feel like we’re part of a group. I’m not saying labels are a bad thing, but maybe our penchant to make sure everyone fits nicely into some box—whatever that box is—is. Growing up, and usually the only Black kid in the class, I certainly didn’t fit in. And I also didn’t belong to any group. Yet I dig...
January 31, 2023
The Inner Circle
This is a continuation of ‘Surrender‘
At the knock on his office door, Michael looked up from the folder on is desk. “Yes, Derrick?”
Derrick adjusted his silver-framed glasses on his conical nose. “Mr. Warren is here.”
“Please, send him in.” Michael closed the folder and moved from behind his desk, greeting the man in the navy suit in the middle of the room. “Thanks for coming, Josh,” he said as they shook hands. After the door to his office closed, he gestured Josh to sit. “Would you like a co...
January 25, 2023
The Power of Change
Earlier this month, an anniversary slipped by without any fanfare. In fact, I had completely forgot about it. Because it represents something that now just feels normal, that I don’t have to think about. But I do think about it, just not in the same way: sobriety.
Five years ago, I stopped drinking. I wasn’t out bingeing or suffering through stomach-churning, mind-bending hangovers. On the days when I wasn’t flying (I was a flight attendant for 7.5 years before the pandemic, and there were stri...
January 18, 2023
Letting Go of the Things that Don’t Serve Us
In these early weeks of 2023, I am thinking about how to fix my life. Not everything. Or at least not everything at once. But the one or two (possibly three) bad habits that are holding me back. If I want to stop feeling stuck, and stop focusing on the past, I need to become — as Mark Manson puts it — ‘future-obsessed.’ This is a first step in letting go of the things that don’t serve us.
If you are able to think then you are able to make different choices. If you are able to make different cho...
January 12, 2023
On Perfectionism
The man with insight enough to admit his limitations comes nearest to perfection. – Goethe
I am, for better or for worse, the poster boy for perfectionism. I’m the type who aspires to cross my t’s and dot my i’s. It means I’m setting incredibly high expectations for myself. And Unbelievably so. In everything that I do. So, when I fail … Lord, have mercy, you don’t want to be in my sights. Because I’m angry at myself for missing the mark, and that doesn’t make me nice to be around.
Does Perfec...January 10, 2023
Find Joy
Find out where joy resides, and give it a voice far beyond singing. For to miss the joy is to miss all. – Robert Louis Stevenson
Where do you find joy?
All you have to do is turn on the news to see all the chaos in the world. From the recent calamity of electing the new Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives to the fallout from a certain prince’s memoir to the ongoing war in Ukraine. It can be easy to lose hope, to lose sight of the joy that is still in the world and fills our hearts.
Fi...
