Birthday wishes

September 10, 2025 / jonathan / Leave a comment

These days, the bar is very low. You can quickly congratulate someone on their birthday in one of the countless chat groups you belong to, write a short sentence without any real meaning, and you’re done. You’ve “done your part,” but no one really pays close attention. It’s just more digital noise, digital pollution, and wasted time.

I still remember calling someone on a landline for their birthday—full of intention and presence.

Even when someone writes a deep, personal note, you need to be in a particular state of awareness to truly appreciate it.

I don’t share these empty wishes, and I don’t want to receive them either. That probably makes me seem like a weirdo.

Many years ago, I chose a few people with whom I exchange personal wishes. I chose them because something in their energy resonated with me. They are the select few who lift my energy rather than drag me down or waste my time with shallow, meaningless one-sentence messages.

And this has continued for years—beautiful and almost effortless.

I was Active, Goal Driven, Awake. For a while

April 25, 2020 / jonathan / Leave a comment

I felt tired from digging inside. Endlessly dealing with my vulnerabilities. It felt good for a while but then I thought it is holding me back. I decided back then to focus on a healthy routine. I was surprised by my ability to be energetic and focus on a positive can-do attitude. It was based on providing to self the key ingredients and even some extras:

Work out
Sleep
A lot of vegetables and fruits
Being hydrated
A job that felt as challenging but doable, where I can bring exceptional value
A realistic approach to the parenting that is best for me

It seems it was someone else now. While fighting to maintain the first 4. The last 2 were shaken with the COVID19 new reality.

At first I rationalized to myself that things are ok [which they are!] and also with time, got used to this new routine. Also stopped being angry at myself for feeling sorry for myself. Things did get better. But I lost almost all energy. And became angry and passive. Back to the circle I was able to avoid.

So angry at myself and with others. and then with myself for being angry at them.

Collapsing inside myself in many ways.

I have started the road back to that place. Step by step. Taking it day by day, trying to take the moments to recharge during the days. Returning back to the path towards the bigger goal.

Let’s air

July 18, 2019July 25, 2019 / jonathan / Leave a comment

Do you have stuff from your past you don’t like? Embarrassing moments or times where you were vulnerable. Moments we are not too proud of. I am not talking about “let’s blame my parents or teachers” party, in fact blame does not live in this building at all.

With time passing one might think we are over these moments. We might be thinking it because we usually avoid these situations or just deal with them a bit better.

Maybe it’s public speaking, or just being out there. Maybe it’s relationship or speaking up your opinion. Facing a strong person. Basically dealing with our fears and mistakes.

There are so many books, TED talks and coaches that built business models on that. And if your read thus far I am sure you consumed few of them. So where am I going with that you ask?

We need to air it. I tried fighting it and still do in some cases. I got aggressive, I blushed, felt bad inside. But from time to time, with the right conditions, I air it. And it makes me happy.

And here is my process. Yes I call it process but it’s not even best practices. Just thoughts. Hey, naming is important.

The right time – during days your energy level is actually high. It will run down your battery before it goes up again.
The right person – someone who is open to listening. I am still surprised how few people are. And don’t expect a response that is something special. It’s your process. An understating look is good enough. Counter sharing is rare. If you really want to go all in, share it with a person from the period it happened.
The right way – I like saying it as it was. No sarcasm. Some self humor can help.
Share that did it – be it in writing for yourself, a talk with a close friend or family. Just listed to your mind or voice saying that you shared it. You shared this not so fun stuff to share. And now you feel better [hopefully :)].

The next time something will trigger that memory, it will not cause this shameful response. It is something you already aired. It is something that built you to be you.

Connecting the dots from the past

November 19, 2018July 25, 2019 / jonathan / Leave a comment

We should connect our dots and signs from the past. Dots have a pattern that we can easily miss. Dots are events and thoughts we experienced or had.

Dots we feared at. Times that we ran to stuff that helped us deal but only made it harder the next day. Times where we raised our voices or confronted because we were scared or disappointed.

It’s easier to remember negative dots, it is harder to connect these dots to a pattern.

Continue reading →

Be true, be persistent

March 21, 2018July 25, 2019 / jonathan / Leave a comment

There is so much friction for a thinker in being untrue. Try to avoid. You get so powerful when using the truth, even if it is not always the prettiest, it makes you the strongest. Both when you tell something to other and when you are telling it to yourself.

If you sometimes mirror your thoughts out and one can see that something is on your heart, B true.

I move slow, and I think a lot. I make mistakes and get sad. My mind drifts many times. But I have long term patient. And I am persistent. It balances all the rest. B persistent

B like cat

March 12, 2018July 25, 2019 / jonathan / Leave a comment

So many great tips on how to get a non going outer to go out. But why?

These tips work for me around 1 out of 10 tries. Barely.

I try to go out because we are expected to. Because introverts are called to put some masks and go out. It’s good for your career and your relationships.

Careers and relationships should be based on strong enough foundations to accept non going outer.

Be like cat. Go out only if you want to. Won’t be easy but find a way.