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I’ve been focusing on self reflection and motivation. I like your posts Bear they are resinating with where I am at the moment. Also the classroom audios are perfect for what I need.

I'm a 66 year old Army Veteran who grew up in a violent world. This June I'll be celebrating getting and staying out of prison since 1980. I help at-risk youth discover their true selves without any masks while helping them develop their mindset and prepare for a brighter future than what they are seeing for themselves.

If you’re not at the table you’re on the menu It’s a blunt, wake-up call of a sentence: “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.” ​It sounds a bit harsh, doesn’t it? But life isn't always a polite dinner party. This quote is a masterclass in understanding agency, the power you have to control your own destiny. It tells us that in this world, there are participants, and there are resources. If you aren't the one making the decisions, you are likely the one being affected by them. ​To live your best life, you have to earn your seat at the table. Anything less than your best effort isn't just "okay" it’s a risk. ​The Table vs. The Menu: A Metaphor ​Imagine life is a Grand Gala.​The people at the table are the ones who did the work. They studied the guest list, they practiced their social skills, and they brought something valuable to the conversation. They are deciding what the future looks like. ​The people on the menu are the ones who showed up unprepared. They hoped things would just "work out." Because they didn't bring a plan or a purpose, they become the tools used by others to achieve their goals. They are the "side dishes" in someone else’s success story. ​"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." Seneca ​Why "Good Enough" Isn't Enough ​We often hear that we should be kind to ourselves, and that’s true. But there’s a difference between self-care and self-sabotage. When we give 60% effort, we are essentially leaving 40% of our lives up to chance. ​Why settle for the scraps of a life you could have owned? ​If you are a student, being "at the table" means mastering your craft so you can choose your career. If you are an athlete, it means training so hard that the coach has to play you. In your personal life, it means being so self-aware that your emotions don't control you. You control them. ​If you don't bring your best, you are essentially telling the world, "I don't mind if you decide my value for me." ​The Power of Being Fully Prepared

A friend sent this to me I believe in the importance of examining your life. The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living” Socrates was a famous Greek philosopher who said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” This means that people should think about their actions, choices, and beliefs instead of just going through life without reflection. Socrates believed that a good life is one where a person asks questions and tries to understand themselves better. The word “examined” means to look closely at something. So when Socrates talks about examining life, he means thinking carefully about why we do what we do. He wanted people to ask questions like: Why do I believe this? Is this the right choice? Am I becoming a better person? These questions help people learn and grow. Socrates thought that if people never think deeply about their lives, they may make bad choices without even realizing it. They may follow habits, other people, or emotions instead of thinking for themselves. For Socrates, a life without reflection would not be very meaningful. How to apply it in daily life This idea can be used in everyday life in simple ways. One way is to think about your day at the end of the night. You can ask yourself questions like: What did I do well today? What could I improve? Did I make good choices? This helps you learn from your actions. Another way is to question negative thoughts. For example, if you think, “I’m not good at anything,” you can stop and ask, “Is that really true?” Often, people believe things about themselves that are not completely true. By questioning those thoughts, you can see things more clearly. You can also use this idea when making decisions. Before choosing something, ask yourself if it is helping you become the kind of person you want to be. This can help you make better choices in school, friendships, and your future. This idea also helps in relationships. If you get into an argument, you can ask yourself, “What happened? Was I part of the problem, too? How can I handle this better next time?” Thinking this way can help you grow and improve how you treat other people.