Wisdom Week Wrap-Up March 9

Quotes that are food for thought

So many great quotes come out of my conversations with my guests! This is a weekly piece with some words that might just get you thinking about your own life.

And if you’d like to make a one time tip (I need coffee!) for this weekly wrap up and all the posts in this Substack, click below:

Or become an annual subscriber!

This week, some thoughts on “Identity”.

I found myself telling an old flying story this week behind the scenes with one guest. Flying was freedom, wonder and awe. It was independence, interdependence, risk and reward.

What do we learn from such experiences? If we’re lucky, they change us. At what point do we take our wins and move on, or do we insist upon hanging onto an obsolete identity that ends up restricting our evolution growth?

Some thoughts on the topic of identity from three of my amazing guests:

“Don’t wait. We are entitled to find ourselves, to be happy, to do what we want, and don’t wait.” -Rick Higgins

Rick was a software engineer who hit a hard stop in his life. The American saga of “this is success” no longer resonated with his soul. So he sold his house and all his possessions. He renovated an old school bus into a mobile home, and he took off.

No job, no business card, no so called “identity” by the world’s standard. And with that taste of freedom, there was no going back.

I’m not suggesting Rick is a role model for all of us. But if you could shed one aspect of your identity, what would you lose? What might you gain and where might you go?

“Self-esteem really is not derived from status, social position, or even IQ, but rather it’s how you feel about yourself and the relationship that you have with yourself.” -Roxanne Daleo

Roxanne Daleo’s journey from childhood struggles to academic success is inspiring. In second grade she was diagnosed with a learning disability. She went on to graduate from Harvard with honors.

The strength young Roxanne displayed in not internalizing these judgements and allowing them to define her is stunning. How many of us take judgements to heart, allowing them to hamper the evolution of our best selves?

If you could erase just one judgement you’ve received, what would it be? What might you do without that voice in your head holding you back?

“I have to beat this, and I can’t let this beat me.” -Jonathan Niziol

Jonathan’s story is one of duality-from rich to not so rich; from addiction to sobriety; from body dysphoria to body wellness. As an international model, he led a high flying life. Until he didn’t.

This is a story about ridding yourself of the narratives that are not true and about finding peace and wholeness within oneself.

I often say that we spend the first half of our lives being force fed other people’s ideas, insecurities and perceptions. We become part of the societal Borg, shaped by titles, degrees, expectations and possessions. Then, if we’re lucky, we spend the second half of our lives peeling away these false layers in search of our authentic selves.

What represents your most authentic self? Joy, love, curiosity? Explore it this week and share your deepest authenticity with those around you. How does this make you feel and how are others reacting to you?

Like, share and comment! It helps the Substack algorithm find me! And

Tips are greatly appreciated and help keep this Substack going!