This generation doesn't know how to build healthy relationships. We end up saying things like "I don't owe anyone anything," but we do owe people something. You owe an apology to those you've offended. You owe gratitude to those who have supported you. And you owe respect to those you've disrespected. Accountability is a personal act of integrity and moral principles. We will continue to live in a broken society until we learn to take responsibility for our actions that negatively impact others.
Your SPOUSE is the one who'll sit beside you when your PARENTS DIE. who'll hold your hand through CHILDBIRTH. who might have to BATHE YOU if you're ever too sick to stand. this isn't just about BUTTERFLIES or DATE NIGHTS. it's about choosing someone who SHOWS UP... in GRIEF, in MESS, in UNCERTAINTY. so no, LOVE ALONE isn't enough. COMMITMENT, MATURITY, and the ability to ENDURE life's ugly parts... that's what sustains a MARRIAGE. because when life gets PAINFULLY REAL, ROMANCE won't carry you... CHARACTER will. and the truth is, FOREVER is only possible with someone who knows how to STAY when it's HARD TO LOVE.
Someone said “The slow burn of becoming yourself” and I think that might be one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard. It’s such a good reminder of how much it takes, how much character development, how much change, and beauty and courage it takes to reach your soul and I hope no one ever gives up on becoming themselves because it’s a never ending journey that only gets better.
I have a co-worker who never announces anything. You don’t know she applied for a promotion until she’s already in the new office. You don’t realize she bought her own place until she casually mentions “heading home to finish painting.” She doesn’t post milestones. Doesn’t crowdsource opinions. Doesn’t invite commentary.
I used to think she was secretive. That success was supposed to be shared loudly. That excitement needed an audience.
Now I see it differently.
She moves with intention. Quiet. Focused. Certain. Her plans are protected while they’re still fragile. Her joy isn’t diluted by outside noise. She lets things grow roots before she shows the world the bloom.
It isn’t secrecy. It’s discernment. It’s peace. It’s self-trust.
Sometimes the strongest people are the ones who build their lives softly, without applause, and let their results speak when they’re ready.
Every country has an energy. And that energy rewires you whether you notice it or not. People move to Japan and become minimal. People move to Mexico and their entire relationship with time softens. People move to New York and suddenly they can't sit still. Your personality is far more malleable than you think. We treat it like something fixed, but new surroundings give you new defaults. New pace. New habits. New values absorbed through proximity instead of effort. You're not just the average of the 5 people closest to you. You're the average of the 5 places, the 5 routines, and the 5 inputs you're exposed to most. Your commute shapes you. The weather shapes you. Every space you occupy is voting on who you become. That's why I believe choosing where you live is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make. More important than your job title. Maybe more important than your five-year plan. Because the place shapes the plan. The place shapes your energy, your habits, your relationships, your default state. Get the place right and half of the other decisions start making themselves. Get it wrong and you'll fight yourself every day.
my dad joke for the day is my friend is writing a benefits summary for a company (I work within the insurance industry) and instead of "combined with shoes" she accidentally wrote "combined with hoes" and I was like "now that's a benefit" 😂🙈
one of my fav things about working at the same company as Alton is that every so often he sneaks into the office when I'm not there and leaves a cute msg somewhere on my desk for me to see in the morning when I get in 🥹🧿
I asked Alton if he wants to celebrate mother's day and father's day together next year and he said, "will we ever go a day where you don't ask me to give you a baby?" 😂 (tis not likely 🥰)