Bryant McGill's Blog, page 40

Solve the puzzle of yourself

"Life is a game that you win when you solve the puzzle of yourself."
— Bryant McGill

You are moving in life toward a calling that pulls you ever forward

Primal doubts are the worse; I'm ugly, I'm fat, I'm not good enough. The difficult thing is that no matter how inaccurate — primal doubts can seem very real — and what seems real is real in a psychosomatic sense. And, the world can indeed judge us very harshly and those judgments can truly impact our lives in ways that are catastrophic to our self-image if we are not deeply secure in ourselves. But no matter how the world judges us it's ultimately about our inner demons that we contend with d...

Empowerment is often little more than noticing what was once unnoticed

Being open-minded is critical for your growth. If you cannot be open-minded, then you do not possess your ideas, your ideas possess you. Opening yourself to the possibility that you are wrong may make you feel vulnerable, but it is actually empowering, because this is how we learn. When you are not willing to be challenged, disturbed or offended, you are not willing to explore your weaknesses or ever claim the potential of greater strengths. Challenge yourself. Be defiant; defy yourself. Chal...

There is a vast kingdom of understanding within you

Sometimes we hurt ourselves the way we struggle and resist. Not just force; but finess. Not just battle; but tact. Acceptance can be its own form of dominant resistance — because survival is the ultimate resistance. Sometimes survival is all we have. Everyone wants to be powerful and thrive and soar high, but life's challenges sometimes demand we contract rather than expand. Retreating is not necessarily a loss, but often a strategy of survival. The defense processes you observe in the natura...

Your struggles seem to be external, but we are always destroyed from the inside out

The worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves. The worst verbal abuse comes from our own tongue. The most negative influence is the devil on our own shoulder. The cruelest judge is the one staring back in the mirror. The person really withholding the love you need is you. No one will ever out-do you at playing mind-games. You must stop doing this to yourself! The universe is calling you to heal, not to agonize over your mistakes. Quit overthinking; this is what surrendering really means. Don'...

Ascension to a life of beauty

"Once you reach the summit of your own heart you will see beauty is everywhere."
— Bryant McGill

The supreme lesson of education is to think for yourself

"The supreme lesson of education is to think for yourself; absent this attainment, education creates dangerous, stupefying conformity."
— Bryant McGill

Resentment and guilt will block your opportunities from arriving

Quit assuming others have it better, or you have it worse. Everyone suffers tremendously in life. It's rude to belittle someone's suffering, thinking yours is greater. Don't judge someone's suffering as better or worse. A dark life can be lived brightly, because pain gave great perspective and wisdom. An average and easy life can be its own kind of tragedy; suffering a mundane deadness. A great life can spoil under great fortune. It's hard having nothing. It's hard having everything. It's har...

Quietness is your greatest preparation for life

Take some quiet time for yourself. In the quietness you will begin to recognize yourself again. We so easily lose ourselves in the daily shuffle of life. Mindfulness and awareness will allow you to participate in your life rather than only reacting to life. Through practicing mindfulness you can begin to enjoy the simple things in life that have been lost in the clutter. Meditation is the powerful antidote to many of the poisons in your life; it stills vast yearnings and inner-discontentments...

We are told to love people unconditionally, but sometimes we must get rid of people unconditionally

Toxic relationships are dangerous to your health; they will literally kill you. Stress shortens your lifespan. 1 Even a broken heart can kill you. 2 There is an undeniable mind-body connection. Your arguments and hateful talk can land you in the emergency room or in the morgue. You were not meant to live in a fever of anxiety; screaming yourself hoarse in a frenzy of dreadful, panicked fight-or-flight that leaves you exhausted and numb with grief. You were not meant to live like animals teari...