Marcus Lopes's Blog, page 28

Language Matters

Every morning when we rise out of bed, we can choose to be happy about what lies ahead or let negativity rule the day. It’s a choice between being a positive influence in the world and for the people who surround us or constantly criticizing them and cutting them down. And if we’ve learned anything over the past few years, it’s this. Language matters.

Language Matters

What if we choose language that lifts each other up and helps us reach our collective potential instead of the inflammatory, i...

Comitted to the Cause

Last Friday, I woke up earlier than normal because I still needed to get in my long run for the week. My distance goal that morning was 26 km. Even before I left the house at 4:36 am, I knew something was off. I wasn’t sure what was ‘off’ until I was about five kilometres into the run as the muscles in my legs burned, my hips locked, and I struggled to put one foot in front of the other. At that moment, I knew exactly what was ‘off.’ It was me. I wasn’t committed.

Visualize A brief stop durin...

Is Technology Holding Us Hostage?

Everywhere we turn, technology rules our lives. An exaggeration? Maybe. Most of us have a smartphone — iPhone, Android — that, if we were to lose it, we’d panic. Have a heart attack, even. Life would be over. Because the phone is our life. Photos. Banking. Calendar. Transportation. Social Media. Books. So many apps to run our lives, hold chaos and disruption at bay. And some days, you could say we’re held hostage by them.

Take a moment to think about how much of our lives we give over to tech...

Just Be You!

In today’s world, there’s so much pressure to be someone you’re not. If you don’t follow the crowd, you’re branded weird, different, or strange. And as we’re documenting almost every moment of our lives on social media, judgment is sometimes swift and acerbic. That makes it tempting to be like everyone else. My golden rule is this: just be you.

The Little Engine that Could

As a child, did you read The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper (aka Arnold Munk)? A story of optimism and hard work...

Back to Basics

For a lot of students, this is their first week back to school after the summer break. Back to early morning alarms buzzing. Back to scrambling out the door to catch the bus. Yes, back to making up excuses as to why homework isn’t done. While it’s been twenty years (now I feel old) since I left university, this is the time of year I get back to basics.

A Matter of Routine

I’m chasing down big dreams: Writing and publishing another novel. Training for my first full marathon (42 km) that’s now...

Not Normal

Not normal: not following the crowd; living your life your way; following your heart’s desire.

That’s me. Every day. Doing what is in my heart and not waiting for — or concerned about — third-party validation. And in a world where so many people are chasing instant success and stardom, that makes me … not normal.

My Life, My Way

Some time between four and four thirty in the morning, I bounce out of bed. Usually panicked, believing that I’ve overslept and terrified of missing out on the best p...

Best of An Unscripted Life of Words (Part II)

Summer is humming along. I’m entering the toughest part of marathon training: long runs. Last weekend I ran 30 km, the most distance I put in in one run since I started running in 2008. Some days I wonder how I’ll run 42.2 km, but I know if I show up each day and do the work I can do it.

As my timeout continues, here are a couple of my other most popular blog posts. Hope you enjoy them!

Do What You Love

If there is one thing in this life that we must do, it is this: Do What You Love!

Do What...

Best of An Unscripted Life of Words (Part I)

I published my first blog post back in June 2009, and one theme that has resurfaced several times over the years is the idea of rest. Even though I know I should take a break — let my body rest — I don’t do it often enough. There are too many projects I want to finish (publish my third book this fall, get back to writing a new series, etc.), and between work and other life responsibilities it doesn’t always seem like there’s enough time to do it all.

So, I’m going to take a little time out. F...

The Art of Not Belonging

I’ve perfected the art of not belonging.

I knew as much working my last flight to London. One thing about being a flight attendant that I like is not working with the same people every day. In theory, it minimizes the risk of drama and conflict. In reality, it’s still possible that you won’t necessarily click with every one of your colleagues.

Outside the Clique

In my case, I didn’t ‘click’ with my coworkers on this particular flight. I didn’t share their sense of humour (or its vulgarity), a...

Slow it Down

Run to, and around the perimeter of, Hyde Park.

Finally, it’s crossed off my bucket list for London. You know, it wasn’t the distance from my hotel in St. John’s Wood to the entrance near Marble Arch (2.5 km) that held me back. Besides, when I get out for a run these days as I train for the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, I’m putting in a minimum of 10 km. No, it took me a long time to scratch this challenge off my bucket list because running through the streets of London terrifies me.

Holding F...