Just wanted to give you all a heads up, I'm going to be stepping away from this podcast, at least for now.

I will still be writing daily, and I’ll be sharing that on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Reddit, and Substack.

I'll have a link to my Substack in the podcast description, and I'm "therobarthur" on all the channels I just mentioned.

Thank you so much for all your support.

It's meant more to me than you could ever know.

You’ve got this.

We often assign stories to what’s going on around us.

These stories can have elaborate introductions, conclusions, and messages.

Rarely, though, do we ask ourselves if these stories are helpful or even accurate.

Take a minute and take a deep breath.

What’s actually happening?

You've got this.

Allowing others to open up to us can be a powerful tool for exchanging the gift of connection.

So often, though, we're too focused on responding, controlling, or judging for any connection to form.

We do this not only with others but also ourselves.

What if we simply listened?

You've got this.

We often get stuck in patterns of problem solving.

No matter what comes our way, we feel the need to do something.

Sometimes, though, there's nothing for us to do.

Life isn't always a problem to be solved.

It's often only a mystery to be lived.

All we can do then is live it.

You've got this.

Holding compassion for those we see as malicious, selfish, or otherwise unworthy may not feel right.

Such characteristics, however, are often rooted in deep suffering or fear.

Those we see as least worthy of compassion are often those who need it most.

This includes ourselves.

You've got this.

Our thoughts make wonderful servants.

They can be invaluable for reflection, forethought, and contemplation.

When we accept them without question, though, we allow them to act as our masters.

They can drive us to rumination, worry, and obstinance.

Let your thoughts serve you.

You've got this.

Focusing solely on our shortcomings often keeps us feeling too unworthy of self-improvement to ever start pursuing it.

Even if we manage to improve outwardly, the skill we may have been practicing the most is feeling inadequate.

You'll never hate yourself into loving yourself.

You’ve got this.

Striving for perfection is a futile effort.

You've always made mistakes and you always will.

Rather than carry the burden of a reality you refuse to accept, face those mistakes with kindness and compassion.

Learn from them, then let them go.

Make peace with your imperfection.

You've got this.

There's a popular question for clarifying what efforts we might pursue:

What would you do if you knew you would succeed?

Such a question, however, risks overlooking those efforts so inherently worthy that the outcome is irrelevant.

What would you do if you knew you would fail?

You've got this.

Our words and actions may not always reflect our thoughts, feelings, and desires.

Others may make hasty, inaccurate conclusions about the nature of our character.

We may even doubt ourselves at times.

Keep working to align your life with your intentions.

Trust who you are.

You've got this.