This Is Beautiful: Good Food

You ever just buy yourself a nice meal and sit there appreciating it like "dang that's a nice looking burger I'm about to put into my mouth"? I feel like we need to do this more often, so much of the work week I'm just stuffing a sandwich into my face between tasks. Need to slow down and appreciate the food I'm eating, as well as just eating nice food instead of the mediocre pb&j I made 10 minutes before leaving.

Food is nourishment, and we should treat it as an important part of our day. Good food is important, and I'm going to try and recognize its beauty more often.

"Leave a Cheater, Gain a Life" by Tracy Schorn

Speaking as a recent chump (aka someone who has been cheated on) I thought this book was exactly what I needed. Every chapter is like a mini pep talk or slap of sense in the face. I wish that I found it sooner.

Schorn divorced a serial cheater years ago, and since then has realized that most sources about infidelity focus on the cheater's needs or have a huge emphasis on reconciliation. Nothing mirrored her history where leaving a cheater was the best choice she's ever made. So she created her blog (chumplady.com) and ended up writing this book as a resource for chumps.

It's one heck of a resource, the chapters cover everything from the initial reaction to stupid things cheaters say to stupid things friends can say. The tone is light, as though a knowledgable friend were talking to you, and quirky cartoons adorn several of the pages. It really lifts your spirits, and adds some humor to an otherwise depressing situation.

Honestly can't recommend it enough, I'm so glad that I only picked one self-help book and that it was this one. World needs more people like Shorn who are trying to get others through challenges that they have already overcome.

This Is Beautiful: Tattoos

I got my first tattoo this past weekend. It was totally unlike any experience that I've had before. I always thought the idea of tattoos were really cool. Here's this body that I didn't exactly sign up for, now I'm going to turn it into a piece of art. So tattoos themselves I think are gorgeous.

But also the experience of getting one has been beautiful. My tattoo artist was saying how when you get a tattoo you are in an inherently vulnerable position, laying there while someone sticks something that means a lot to you into your skin. And the pain is very different from anything else as well. It didn't actually hurt as much as I thought it would. And since mine is on my left ribs, feeling when he was going over a bone or not was a really cool experience.

I'm thrilled that I got a tattoo, between the art now on my body and just the whole experience in general, I'm very happy with it. Definitely something to try if you have been thinking about it or just want to do it!

"Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha" by Tara Brach

The woman I go to for counseling gave me this book, she thought it would help me with my life falling to pieces. She was right, this book is an incredible resource. There were numerous times where I picked it up with a problem or something worrying me and I found great advice and suggestions within pages of reading it.

Brach goes through several aspects of radical acceptance, which here means accepting your life in all of its messy glory. And being ok with yourself and your flaws. Everything is illustrated with examples from her life or from people she has worked with, and each chapter ends with a couple of simple meditation exercises to perform to help with what she discusses in the chapter.

I found this book to be wonderfully helpful, Brach's writing style is very clear and easily understandable so even her more difficult concepts come through. And her suggestions are very practical and aim to help anyone regardless of their background in Buddhism or mindfulness. As a result it is tremendously helpful for anyone who is interested in learning more about mindfulness, or those who have been meditating for years.

I hope that you pick up this book and that it helps you.

This Is Beautiful: Friends you can be physically intimate with

Yeah idk about the title either, my main point is that it's important to be physically close to people even if they are not your partner. Hug your friends, hold their hands, tell them how much you love them. Because platonic love is just as important as any other kind of love, and your friends love and support you no matter what. Don't be a square, show your affection in many different ways, but don't forget that physical intimacy is just as important as any other kind.

"The Miracle of Mindfulness" by Thich Nhat Hanh

Borrowed this from a mentor of mine, it's a really nice little read. Most of the book is shorter sections highlighting a teaching or an aspect of mindfulness. After that it describes some easy meditation practices, and even has a couple translations of sutras it mentions.

A very well-rounded introduction or continuation through Buddhism. Hanh is a great teacher, and this edition hits all of his highlights. I would highly recommend it, or any of his other works to be honest.

This Is Beautiful: Online Counseling

ERASE THE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH, GO GET SOME THERAPY ONLINE.

I personally have been using Pride Counseling, an online LGBT+ specific counseling site, but there are many more out there. I personally think that just about everyone could use some therapy, and let's be honest, it can't hurt you. So go get counseled! Having online resources makes it much more accessible and flexible than in person, but do the in person thing as well.

Let's all get better people!