Magdalina Atanassova
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Musings

My writing space. A blog, if you will, on what I learn from the school of life.

Pointless rushing

21/5/2023

 
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Photo by José Martín Ramírez Carrasco on Unsplash
Rushing achieves nothing. Unless you are being chased by a bear. Then rush, even run.

​Focus on one thing and give it your full attention. You'd be surprised by the progress you'd be making.

Switch and do it all over again.

Stay inspired. Keep inspiring.

The surprising reason why we choose pain over our goals

20/5/2023

 
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Photo by NEOM on Unsplash
​Two of my favourite authors: Ozan Varol and Gay Hendricks, share in their writing that humans might be pursuing pain on purpose.

I read their words in the span of a few hours and I knew that my immediate surprise was a sure sign that I am guilty of pursuing pain on more than one occasion. And I am not talking about my countless tattoo sessions. That's a story for another post.

My first thought was my constant, self-inflicted suffering around food. I know very well what my body needs, but I self-sabotage more often than I care to admit. I am a master of excuses too or blaming the circumstances.

I now realise that I am pursuing the familiar pain and suffering rather than committing to my real goal of feeling light and powerful. I am dragging myself back to the place I am used to finding myself each morning. Because getting myself out of it means that I have real potential to achieve my goal and not struggle with food. Or anything else for that matter.

I am ready to commit to my real goal. Will you join me?

Stay inspired. Keep inspiring.

Nuances matter

19/5/2023

 
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Photo by Chirayu Sharma on Unsplash
 ...when you are looking at art. The hues of blue make the sky more vivid.

Nuances also matter when you listen to advise. The path and circumstances of the advice-giver will affect your outcome. It is highly unlikely that you walked precisely the same path and reached the same bad patch. There may be similarities, but you must both dig into the assumptions.

Once you are clear about where the advice may not hold true, then you are both in a better place to contribute and reach the desired outcome. Together.

Stay inspired. Keep inspiring. ​

Identities and choices

18/5/2023

 
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Photo by Rhett Wesley on Unsplash
​The identities that we support are those we choose day after day. We are unique creatures that can choose or change how we define ourselves in a moment’s time.

The hard part comes in choosing that identity again and again after we’ve declared our choice.

What choice are you making today?

Stay inspired. Keep inspiring.

Choose knowledge in a world of information

17/5/2023

 
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Photo by Sergiu Vălenaș on Unsplash
​Knowledge is widely available and easily accessible.

Knowing the date of a big historical event or when the next episode of our favourite series will air is a choice. That information is a click away.

The fact that the whole knowledge of the world is so close is no excuse for not knowing how to show up in the world. We are 100% accountable for the mark that we leave behind.

Stay inspired. Keep inspiring.

The power of doing things by hand

16/5/2023

 
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Created by the author, one stroke at a time
​I love creating with Midjourney. It is one of the better AI tools that use words to create visual art. As a person of words who is no good at interpreting the images in my head in any other way, such tools give me a unique freedom. A possibility to express myself that I had never experienced before.

The results are wonderful and inspire me to use the tool more, as I watch others feed off that same energy. Discord, the platform that houses Midjourney, is like a huge chatroom and all is out in the open.

And yet, I am learning how to draw and create something with my own hands.

It is an expression of the self that I feel a deeper connection with. It is of the Muse, and I am the only vessel. It feels authentic and much more real. That is why I write all my articles by hand too - this way I give a part of myself in the process, weaving each letter into existence.

Science confirms that doing things by hand enhances creativity, happiness and focus. It helps us express ourselves and find meaning.

Ah, that's it. Finding meaning one stroke at a time, ink on paper. A journey to discover our own unknowns.

Stay inspired. Keep inspiring.

Overthink

15/5/2023

 
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Photo by Alessio Soggetti on Unsplash
​Allow me to overthink and I will. I can excel at this task, and the stories that I can spin could rival Pulitzer and Oscar winners.

But when I have to make something out of these outstanding stories, I choke.

It is not really me, it is my ego. But the chokehold is still there no matter what.

The only way to stop overthinking and being the victim of the ego is acting. Every day. Choosing to win each day to become the person I am supposed to be. The person that can win the accolades I so desire.

Stay inspired. Keep inspiring.

How are ideas killed?

14/5/2023

 
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Photo by Marija Zaric on Unsplash
​There are brilliant ideas born each day. After all, there are billions of us around the globe, so the statistics are there to support the claim.

But the words we use to express these ideas matter. And just as people are often judged by what we wear, so are our ideas judged by how we present them.

Are you saying too much? Or too little? Or maybe you keep the idea to yourself and never share it with anyone.

Are you killing your own ideas by withholding the right words?

Stay inspired. Keep inspiring.

Assume positive intent

13/5/2023

 
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Photo by Cristian Escobar on Unsplash
When a random person jumps the queue, you feel annoyed. After all, they saw you and others, and chose to ignore what is right in front of them.

When a loved one leaves their empty glass right next to the dishwasher, but not in it, you feel annoyed. How dare they pile more chores on your endless list?

In both cases, you can assume positive intent.

Both people may be trying to do right by you and be coming from a loving place. The person may not be jumping the queue, but going back to help an elderly person they left alone inside. And your loved one may have been concerned about making too much noise in the middle of the night.

Assuming positive intent will help you listen with empathy when you ask the other person why they did what they did.

Stay inspired. Keep inspiring.

How to make promises

12/5/2023

 
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Photo by Dominik Schröder on Unsplash
Each morning, I look up at the sky and ask for a promise. If the sky is blue, to stay like that, and if not, to change it in the course of the day.

And I believe the promise is made. After all, I asked for it. I expected a commitment.

But the sky is an unreliable partner. It keeps its promise one day and breaks it the next.

While I understand this is silly and that I cannot be mad at the sky, it is different with people. And yet, it seems that I make promises on behalf of others much the same way.

Are you guilty of doing that too?

Stay inspired. Keep inspiring.
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    Musings

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