“Training your mind to be in the present moment is the number one key to making healthier choices.” ~ Susan Albers
What makes me smile is how much more common this conversation has become. A few years ago, mindfulness felt like a fringe interest. Now I see companies building it into their culture, leaders asking better questions, and individuals genuinely curious about how to be more present in their own lives.
And it turns out, the idea is refreshingly simple.
Most of the choices that trip us up don’t happen because we’re incapable or undisciplined. They happen because we’re distracted. We’re rushing. We’re thinking three steps ahead while our body hasn’t moved.
I notice it in everyday moments. Answering an email too fast. Saying yes when I meant maybe. Reaching for something out of habit instead of need. When I slow down and actually ‘be’ in the moment, the choice almost makes itself. Not because I forced it, but because I saw clearly what was true.
That’s what mindfulness brings. Not perfection. Clarity.
What brings me the most joy right now is seeing this land with the women in my Skool community.
They’re starting to recognize the pause. Not as something abstract, but as something they can actually use. I smile as I read comments about finding peace in the middle of a busy day. About staying calm in situations that used to feel overwhelming. About feeling genuinely good about a decision, not because it was perfect, but because they gave themselves a few minutes to breathe and put their full attention on the one thing in front of them.
Those moments matter. They’re small and they’re real. They’re proof that mindfulness isn’t an idea to admire. It’s a practice that meets you right where you are, and quietly changes how you move through the world.
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A Marketing Tip
Always Explain the “Why”
If you want people to buy from you, don’t just tell them what you’re selling. Tell them why.
Why is your price lower? Why is it higher? Why is this a good deal right now?
People don’t automatically trust prices. They want a reason. Maybe you buy in bulk. Maybe it’s handmade. Maybe you cut out extras. Maybe it lasts longer. Whatever the reason is, say it.
When customers understand the “why,” they feel more confident saying yes. Clear reasons build trust. And trust sells more than hype ever will.
I first read American Assassin when it was originally published in 2010, back when Mitch Rapp was new to me and Vince Flynn was still building what would become a very long shelf on my bookcase. That first read quietly hooked me. One book turned into many, and before I knew it, I had followed the series all the way through its twists, turns, and handoffs. Twenty four books later (with the last 2 written by Don Bentley because Vince Flynn died) it felt worth going back to where it all started.
Reading it again, I was struck by how quickly I fell back into the story. The writing is clean, sharp, and confident. Flynn knows exactly what kind of book he’s writing and never pretends otherwise. The action moves, the pacing stays tight, and the scenes do their job without lingering too long.
Is it formulaic? Yes. There aren’t many surprises in the plot. The secondary characters don’t stand out much. But that’s part of the appeal. This is a straightforward spy thriller that delivers exactly what it promises. No gimmicks. No overcomplication. Just solid storytelling, competent characters, and a sense that you’re in steady hands.
What stood out most on this reread was the craftsmanship. Even knowing where the story goes, I stayed engaged. That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because the writing works.
If you’re in the mood for a fast moving, no nonsense spy thriller, American Assassin is an easy recommendation. And fair warning. It has a way of pulling you into the rest of the series before you realize what’s happening.
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From the Research Files
aka random bits of info you may or may not be able to use in your life
The cone snail looks like a beach souvenir. Smooth shell. Pretty patterns. Zero warning labels. Unfortunately, it is one of the most venomous animals on Earth.
This tiny snail hunts with a built-in harpoon loaded with venom strong enough to paralyze fish almost instantly. Some species even release a chemical cocktail that confuses prey before striking. Slow body, shockingly efficient strategy.
The twist? That same venom is being studied for powerful pain treatments. Turns out nature’s quietest assassin may also help modern medicine.
That venom is packed with highly targeted compounds, and scientists have learned how to use some of them for good. One cone snail peptide has already been turned into a powerful, non-opioid pain medication, often used when nothing else works. Others are being studied for treating chronic pain, epilepsy, and even diabetes, because of how precisely they interact with nerves and insulin pathways.
Nature, once again, proving it’s been running a far more sophisticated lab than we give it credit for.
Moral of the story: admire the shell. Take the photo. Leave the snail alone.
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Pun of the Day
What do you call a snail that isn’t moving? An escar-stay.
🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
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If you got a spark of insight (or at least a chuckle at the pun),feel free to buy me a cup of coffee.
