Marcus Lopés

LGTBQIA2S+ Author, Blogger, Runner

Writing Off the Grid

Become Obsessive

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It has been a month since I stepped away from social media because I wasn’t where I wanted to be. I wasn’t being intentional about how I was spending my time. As much as I told myself that writing and running were important to me, I let social media steal my time. I accept responsibility for that. And I know I must do better, and be better, to change my life. Because I don’t want to be in the same place, doing the same things, in a year’s time. That means I must become obsessive about change.

Nature has given the opportunity of happiness to all, knew they but how to use it. – Claudian1

I Will Be Great

Like I mentioned above, being in the same place and doing the same things next year are not options. So, I’ve become obsessive about self-improvement. I not only listen to podcasts and read books, but I am actively implementing what I’m learning. And sometimes it is uncomfortable because it is forcing me into discomfort. [Read more…] about Become Obsessive

  1. Ben-Shahara, T. (2007.) Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment. New York, McGraw-Hill, p. 13. [↩]

Be Vulnerable

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I am a quiet person. I often say it’s because I’m an introvert, but really I just don’t like being the centre of attention. I am more than comfortable spending time on my own. When I’m at work, and if it were possible, I would probably go my whole shift without speaking to any of my colleagues. But as my change journey continues, I’m learning to be vulnerable.

The Art of Sharing

Whether at work or out with friends, I have always been a listener. I tend to pay close attention to what people are saying so that I can retain the small details. If a colleague mentions that they’re going to try out a new restaurant, the next time I see them I’ll be sure to ask how they enjoyed it. If you mentioned that you’re now prediabetic, I’ll stop offering sugary treats and ‘pester’ you about your food choices. [Read more…] about Be Vulnerable

Focus on What You Can Control

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Lately, I’m reminding myself of this: focus on what you can control. I can control whether I’m going to sleep longer or get up and put in time on my dreams. I can tell myself I’m tired and not go to the gym or for a run, or I can get in the run or workout no matter how I feel. Yes, I can settle for the status quo or decide to change my life. [Read more…] about Focus on What You Can Control

Own Your Life

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I have a bit of a ritual. On my way to work, I stop at the Tim Hortons across from where I work. It’s in an industrial area, so there really isn’t much around. But I’m a regular now, and the staff ‘know’ me and my mobile order. And as I returned to work after a couple of days off, I picked up my coffee and spent my usual fifteen minutes writing. It was clear, as I wrote and counted down the minutes to when I’d have to cross the street and enter that building, how essential it is to own your life. [Read more…] about Own Your Life

You Always Have a Choice

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How we spend our time is always up to us. We can work on our book or binge-watch Netflix. We can go to the gym or we can hit the snooze button. Instead of eating a salad, we may reach for that bag of potato chips. You always have a choice, and although I’ve always known that, it’s become more clear as I embrace writing off the grid. [Read more…] about You Always Have a Choice