For A Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic

Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling five balls. The balls are called work, family, health, friends, and integrity. You’re keeping all of them in the air, but one day you finally come to understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls (family, health, friends and integrity) are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered. Once you truly understand the lesson of the five balls, you will have the beginnings of balance in your life.

—James Patterson, Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas

Never confuse movement with action.

—Ernest Hemingway

Jason Mraz - Be Honest (skip to 2:50 for this song, though I’d recommend the whole performance)

I can hold space while you see what your heart has to say about me
There’s no dotted line to sign away your freedom
I’ll acknowledge you for what you do to keep strong
I’ll always get behind you, don’t get me wrong
I don’t ask for much- just be honest with me. 

Love him & love this performance.

Video courtesy of Sophie Yuth

My rainy Wednesday song of choice.

Rachael Yamagata - Be Be Your Love

If I could take you away
Pretend I was queen
What would you say
Would you think I’m unreal
Cause everybody’s got their way I should feel

Everybody’s talking how I can’t be your love
But I want want wanna be your love
Want to be your love, for real
Everybody’s talking how I can’t be your love
But I want to be your love
Want to be your love for real
Want to be your everything

Everything’s falling, and I am included in that
Oh, how I try to be just okay
Yeah, but all I ever really wanted
Was a little piece of you

Everybody’s talking how I can’t be your love
But I want want wanna be your love 
Want to be your love for real
Everything will be alright
If you just stay the night

Please, sir, don’t you walk away
Everybody’s talking how I can’t be your love
But I want want wanna be your love
Want to be your love for real

Gotta love Rachael Yamagata.

I want you to feel more than simply “happy.” To, on a daily basis, be better than “alright.” I want you to feel lucky- to experience greatness regardless of the circumstances.

Adele live at the Tabernacle in London.

At the beginning of her tour, before anyone knew any of her songs off the 21 album. IMHO, hands down the best live performances of each of her songs.