Mary Joy > Recent Status Updates

"In essence, neutrality and non-reactivity are the practical expressions of detachment. They allow you to observe without absorbing, to feel without being controlled, and to engage without being entangled. By mastering these skills, you transform your relationship with yourself, others, and life itself—achieving profound emotional freedom, balance, and peace."

"What mindfulness does is powerfully brings you to right now, in the present moment. It is much easier to exercise emotional regulation when you are aware of your feelings and can notice what thoughts or triggers are causing them."

"If you don't even try to achieve your goals, you will stay in the same place without making any progress. But if you get out there and start working toward your goal and happen to fail, you will still be further along your path to achievement than if you hadn't started the journey at all. My biggest failures have led to the biggest gains in my life. Do your best to lean into your losses."

"Emotions are not inherently good or bad; they are signals. Resisting or judging feelings creates additional suffering, because resistance fuels tension and prolongs negative states."

"The power of detachment lies in knowing that you do not have to force life to behave according to your plan—the universe, and the people within it, often exceed your expectations when you step back, release control, and trust."

"The One In-One Out rule is most effective when applied to like items. For every new shirt that goes in the closet, an old shirt comes out. For every new book that joins your collection, an old one leaves the shelf. For every new pair of shoes that waltzes in, an old pair takes a hike."

"Minimalist living means keeping our possessions in check, and the most effective way to do this is by establishing limits."

"The containers may make our houses look tidy, but they serve no higher purpose than to hide our junk. Instead of simplifying our homes (and our lives), we're merely arranging our clutter."

"A newborn's stomach is about the size of a small marble; by the time he's a month old it's about the size of a ping-pong ball."

"Self-discipline, also referred to as willpower, is simply your ability to do what you said you were going to do. In the simplest terms, it is self-control."

"Developing self-discipline can reduce anxiety because you will have more control in your life. A big piece of anxiety comes from excessive worry, lack of confidence, stress, and an overall feeling of dissatisfaction with your daily choices."

"Well, if the belly buttons are to grow like-lines to give the baby blood, and only girls have babies, how come boys have belly buttons?"

Maureen hesitated. "I don't know," she admitted. "But boys have all sorts of things they don't need."

If she looked different, beautiful, maybe Cholly would be different, and Mrs. Breedlove too. Maybe they'd say, "Why, look at pretty-eyed Pecola. We mustn't do bad things in front of those pretty eyes."

I was today years old when I found out that breast milk actually changes flavor depending on what a mom eats. My mind is totally blown.

"Healthcare professionals around the world and the UK Department of Health agree that it's best to breastfeed your baby exclusively for the first six months, if you can. Breastmilk not only meets all of your baby nutritional needs, but there are a lot of benefits for you as well."

"As parents we can worry so much about things that just aren't as important to our children, such as giving them their own room, buying them toys and taking them on holidays. Actually, the most valuable gift you can give to your child is free: it's simply your love, time and support."

"Human babies are born more immature than other mammals — calves can stand on four legs less than an hour after birth. Our babies take around a year to learn to stand and walk and even then need so much protection for years ahead. Parenting is more important than we could ever have imagined."

"Mom, it's pouring."

"This is just a drizzle," she said. "Monsoons could be ahead!" She sipped her tea. "Things usually work out in the end."

"What if they don't?"

"That just means you haven't come to the end yet."

This book has me tearing up.

Why do I always come across familiar names in the books I read? 😤

I don't think I'll ever look at caryatids without thinking about how much they're carrying.

Jeannette stitching her father's wound is one of the most visceral scenes l've read so far.

I wasn't planning to watch The Glass Castle movie until I finished the book, but I couldn't help myself and watched the beginning. I started tearing up right away. Seeing the story I had pictured while reading come to life on screen was amazing. The movie captured the heart and emotions of the story so well, and hearing the words I had only known from the pages come to life through the characters hit differently.