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Have you ever felt like nobody listens to you? Maybe you feel like you are being ignored, or even purposely neglected. Most of us have felt that way at some point—at home, at work, at school, or even with friends. It is a common experience, but if we don't deal with it, it can easily turn into something much bigger. When we feel unheard, our self-esteem and confidence can take a hit. We begin to wonder, Does what I say really matter? Does anyone care about how I feel? And whe

We all make choices every day. Some choices are small and some choices can change the direction of our lives. We don't get to choose everything that happens to us, but we do get to choose what we are going to do about what happens. That is where change begins. We make choices because we are trying to meet a need. We want to move away from pain and toward something that makes us feel better. Sometimes we make good choices and sometimes we make choices that only give us tempora

A person can learn a better way to meet their needs. Once we make the decision to change a behavior, we have to put a plan into motion. Change does not happen just because we want it to. We have to be willing to do something different. When we change our behavior, our thinking begins to change. When our thinking changes, our attitude can change as well. That is part of our responsibility. We may not be responsible for everything that has happened to us, but we are responsible

Let's be honest—none of us gets through life without experiencing pain. It may come from losing someone we love, going through a difficult relationship, struggling with disappointment, or facing challenges we never expected. Pain is something we all have in common. The one thing we do get to choose, however, is what we do with that pain. We can let it keep us stuck, or we can let it help us grow. I know that's easier said than done. When you're hurting, it can feel like no on

Have you ever noticed how many people wear exhaustion like a badge of honor?

On a serene Sunday morning, as the world wakes up to the possibilities of the day, it's natural to contemplate the situation we find ourselves in. How did we arrive here? What actions and steps led us to this point? A moment of self-reflection may reveal that we often find ourselves following the wisdom of others rather than listening to our own thoughts and instincts. In an age where conformity seems to prevail, it's time to break free from the shackles of societal influence

When you start making changes in your life, whether it's a new career path, a healthier lifestyle, or personal growth, it's common to feel a sense of loneliness. It can be challenging when the people around you aren't on the same wavelength or don't understand the changes you're making. However, it's important to understand that loneliness is not necessarily a negative feeling. It can be a signal that you're stepping out of your comfort zone and moving towards personal growth

Unhealthy friendships can have a significant impact on our overall well-being. Not only can they lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, but they can also be a hindrance to achieving our goals and pursuing our dreams. It's important to recognize the signs of an unhealthy friendship and take action to protect our own mental and emotional health. One of the biggest indicators of an unhealthy friendship is excessive criticism and negativity. If you have a friend who alwa

Have you ever found yourself justifying doing something that goes against your beliefs or boundaries by saying, "I see them doing it, why shouldn't I do it?" It's a common thought process that many people go through, but it's not necessarily a healthy one. For example, you might see your friends drinking excessively or using drugs, and you feel pressure to join in because "everyone else is doing it." However, if you know that it goes against your personal beliefs and boundar

Michael Barnes There are many times in my life I have failed at something. From little instances to life changing actions, I have made a lot of mistakes, had lots of failures, but in the end, I learned a lot about what I was doing, and most importantly, myself. There are people out there who profess to never fail at what they are doing. I am one of those people who believes every word of that statement. It’s all in your perception. Did you fail, or did you learn something so

Thomas A. Edison quote Michael Barnes Building Life Foundations If we did all the things we are capable of, we would truly astound ourselves. When I was preparing my presentation, I was stopped dead in my tracks. I took a lot of time just reflecting on this quote because it has so many lessons to impart. For one, we do limit ourselves when it comes to what we can accomplish. Sometimes from a fear of failure, other times it is because we don’t know what resources there are av

There was a time where I was the “big fish”. It seemed like I was the one people looked up to, people were trying to please, and people who wanted what I have. People wanted to live their lives vicariously through me. But what was really happening was they were trying to pull me down to their level. This is what we are talking about today: People who are trying to pull you down to their level. This is something to be aware of. People like this will always be your friend beca