January 2009
Praise is a bonus.
You do good and helpful deeds all the time. The deed is its own reward. Have you noticed that when people beg for praise (Look, I cleaned! Look, I shared! Look Mom, I made doodie in the toilet!), you feel less inclined to give them a cookie and more inclined to roll your eyes (Jesus, get away from me kid. I’m not your mom)? Praise is superfluous! You know you’re good and you can pat...
Switch it up!
It’s Friday! Congrats, the weekend is fast approaching and a glorious new opportunity is dawning before you. You have the chance to make this weekend different. You can make unique decisions, starting right this minute, that will impact your life in positive ways. Invite a new friend. Choose “go big” over “go wild.” Choose off-the-wall instead of run-of-the-mill. Share your mind blowing...
There's more going on behind the scenes.
Who knows why things turn out the way they do? In any given situation, there are more forces at work than we could possibly control. Things happen and we roll with it. It’s not our job to know why. It’s our job to enjoy it.
Today remind yourself: There’s more going on behind the scenes.
Serious Business
I’m throwing a Valentine’s Day Mixer! If you are in New York and single, make an appearance. Send me an email at emailingrachel@gmail.com and I’ll send you an evite.
xoxox pep xoxox
Rachel
You have your reasons.
Sometimes it isn’t important why you do something, as long as you do it. Like donating your old stuff so you can write it off your taxes- at least you’re helping- or doing volunteer work in the hopes of meeting some kind hearted cuties- I’m 100% fine with this. Maybe your motives are unclear, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should stop.
Today remind yourself: I have...
You've earned a little tlc.
Craving some attention? Well go on, get ya some. You know what you need and you know how to get it. When you want affection, you deserve to have it.
Today remind yourself: I’ve earned a little tlc.
Your impulses are beautiful.
You are capable of being unguarded and naturally uninhibited and, when you are, you display a remarkable confidence. You’re very alive and powerful. The correct answers come to you without too much thought and you intuitively know what comes next. From time to time, it’s exciting to let your feelings guide you.
Today remind yourself: My impulses are beautiful.
You are open to outcomes.
This was a “core value” at the last restaurant where I worked. (Ya know, the joint where I got a bad review in the New York Times and turned the pit-master in for sexual harassment. What can I say, I leave wreckage in my wake.) Granted, it sounds like more of the same corporate horseshit, but really it’s a pretty great idea. While you can anticipate what might happen in a given...
Be brave.
I realize this might sound heartless, but most of the things you’re scared of don’t exist. Everyone has fears that, once said out loud, seem ridiculous. (Let me just clear up some of the more common worries: You will not die alone. No one is laughing at you. Nobody is plotting your demise. You are not a fraud. Chances are, your fly is up.) Sure, your worries are specific, but they are...
You can dream when you're sleeping too.
It’s been an exciting, crazy, life-changing week. I don’t know about you, but I am fucking zonked. Seriously dude, let’s take a nap. Let’s replenish our bodies so we can stay healthy and continue to rock.
Today remind yourself: I can dream when I’m sleeping too.
You can run down the clock.
Are certain times of day more challenging than others? You’re cruising along, feeling good, when suddenly a funk comes over you. It’s times like that when it’s hard to remember how good your life is. But your life IS good because you’re lovable and caring. You only have to outlast time. You will.
Today remind yourself: I can run down the clock.
You do a lot of things well.
How weird would it be to be recognized as the best in the world at one particular thing? The best ballerina, the best catchy jingle writer. Do you then live in fear that someone better will be discovered and dethrone you (Have you seen King of Kong?!)? What if you’re the best at something that you’ve never tried before, so you don’t know it? The best big game hunter or the most...
You have things to say.
You have the gift of the gab, my love. When you communicate, you evoke stirring mental images and your language is enhanced with subtle insights to your past, our collective memory, and your aspirations. Share some good news, a fun fact, or a heartfelt compliment and that totally counts as a good deed.
Today remind yourself: I have things to say.
You're part of the dream.
Rev. Dr. MLK Jr. Day Pep!!!
Today, your kindness will make a difference. You’ll withhold judgement of people and situations. You’ll be a part of positive change. You’ll be selfless as you work to benefit the world.
Today remind yourself: I’m part of the dream.
I'd do you.
A person would have to be a fucking idiot not to see what a catch you are. If you’re not being actively pursued, I’m not sure there’s justice in the world.
Today remind yourself: I’d do me.
You're so cool.
Hey, I think you’re really cool. I hope you think so too. You’re cute and interesting. It’s fun to be around you. You’re just as good as anybody. I sure hope you know that.
Today remind yourself: I’m so cool.
You won't go nuts alone.
Feel like you can’t stop thinking about that one thing and it’s driving you nuts? Well, don’t go nuts alone. Get it off your chest and out of your head by sharing with a trusted friend. They have to listen to you because you’d do it for them! Get that second opinion and then do your best to let it go.
Today remind yourself: I won’t go nuts alone.
Keep on truckin'.
You’re constantly growing, so it’s really no wonder that you sometimes outgrow things. Eventually, some of your favorite pastimes may fail to serve you. You might start to get sick of “the scene” at your most tried and true hangouts. It’s a drag, but it’s natural. Trust your instincts and you’ll know when to move on.
Today remind yourself: Keep on...
Give it away!
Here’s my wish for you today: I hope you feel so jazzed you can’t help but smile. I hope positivity flows from you and fun opportunities fall in your lap. I hope you have a great skin day and an awesome exchange with an cute person. To have all these things; to get them and keep them, you have to give them. Share your well wishes with the world and your energy will be matched!
Today...
There's only room for you in there.
How annoying is it when someone else’s issues get stuck in your mind? I’ll save you the suspense and tell you: It’s super fucking annoying. You can’t control the actions or inactions of anyone but yourself, yet, when somebody gets in your head, you spend all your time trying to parse their sentences and analyze their motives. It’s an exercise in futility. Whatever...
Top Secret!
I have a habit of saying “wa-POW!” every time I take my debit card out of my wallet.
Would anyone else like to make a confession?
You are dynamic!
There is so much energy in you that you’re just bursting at the seams with life. It’s beautiful and hilarious to watch you work it out. You’re complex and fun and impossible to peg. I wouldn’t want you to be any other way!
Today remind yourself: I am dynamic!
You won't feel like this forever.
You’ve been through a lot. You’ve met real challenges and you’ve felt genuine pain. I promise, you won’t feel this way forever. It will pass. Wallowing and rehashing are impulses to be ignored because they keep you bummed out and stagnant. Don’t forget how great you are. You’re strong, brave, compassionate, and smart. Even when you’re blue, you are deeply...
You're better with age.
You’ll always be you, no matter what age you are. You’ll look different and you’ll behave differently but you’ll still be unmistakably, wonderfully you. You can embrace each birthday each day (each second!) as progress in your personal evolution. You’re wiser than before.
Today remind yourself: I’m better with age.
You mean something.
Thank God you’re around, babe. You mean a lot to all the people whose lives you touch. It’s impossible to know how many individuals benefit from one of your actions. Without you, life would be gloomier for countless people. You really do count.
Today remind yourself: I mean something.
