Hey there, friends.

Hope this email finds you well.

If anyone out there has been personally affected by the recent events in Israel, wishing you and yours strength and love during these challenging times.

I debated whether to release this newsletter this week, given the harrowing events. It feels almost trivial in the face of this sheer horror our fellow humans are enduring, and continue to endure. I know atrocities like this have been going on for centuries, but for some reason, this one hit me hard this week.

It's weeks like this that make me question everything I thought I knew about how the Universe works and the point of life in general. As such, in a fit of anger after hearing all the heartbreaking stories on the news last night, I published an essay this morning titled: "Everything I Believed About The Universe Has Been Shattered By The Horror In Israel."​

We also have the usual curated wisdom from others below.

Be safe. Stay well. And squeeze your loved ones while you still have the chance.

Have a great few weeks.

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// 1 shot of higher consciousness! 🌪️

We've Turned Our Lives Into Stories
​Ann Patchett

Who makes things up? Who tells the real story? We all turn our lives into stories. It is a defining characteristic of our species.

We retell our experiences.

We quickly learn what parts are interesting to our listeners and what parts lag, and we shape our narratives accordingly. It doesn’t mean we aren’t telling the truth; we’ve simply learned which parts to leave out. Every time we tell the story again, we don’t go back to the original event and start from scratch, we go back to the last time we told the story. It’s the story we shape and improve on, we don’t change what happened.

This is also a way we have of protecting ourselves. It would be too painful to relive a childhood illness or the death of your best friend every time you had to speak of it. By telling the story from the story, instead of from the actual events, we are able to distance ourselves from our suffering. It also gives us the chance to make the story something people can hear.

Source: "This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage"​

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// 1 reminder to remember who you really are! ✨

The More Creative You Become, The More Godly You Become.
​Osho/Rajneesh

Creativity has nothing to do with any activity in particular – with painting, poetry, dancing, singing. It has nothing to do with anything in particular.

Anything can be creative – you bring that quality to the activity. Activity itself is neither creative nor uncreative. You can paint in an uncreative way. You can sing in an uncreative way. You can clean the floor in a creative way. You can cook in a creative way.

Creativity is the quality that you bring to the activity you are doing. It is an attitude, an inner approach – how you look at things.

So the first thing to be remembered: don't confine creativity to anything in particular. A man is creative – and if he is creative, whatsoever he does, even if he walks, you can see in his walking there is creativity. Even if he sits silently and does nothing, even non-doing will be a creative act.

Also, not everybody can be a painter – and there is no need. If everybody is a painter the world will be very ugly; it will be difficult to live. And not everybody can be a dancer, and there is no need. But everybody can be creative.

You become more divine as you become more creative. all the religions of the world have said: God is the Creator. I don't know whether He is the Creator or not, but one thing I know: the more creative you become, the more godly you become. When your creativity comes to a climax, when your whole life becomes creative, you live in godliness.

Source: A Sudden Clash of Thunder Talk #4​

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// 1 nugget of inspiration for consciously creating your reality! ⚡

How Would Your Life Be Different?
​Dr. Steve Maraboli

How would your life be different if...You were conscious about the food you ate, the people you surround yourself with, and the media you watch, listen to, or read? Let today be the day...You pay attention to what you feed your mind, your body, and your life.

How would your life be different if...you began each day by thanking someone who has helped you? Let today be the day...You make it a point to show your gratitude to others.

Today, you have the opportunity to transcend from a disempowered mindset of existence to an empowered reality of purpose-driven living. Today is a new day that has been handed to you for shaping. You have the tools, now get out there and create a masterpiece.

Source: "The Power Of One"​

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​// 1 tip on meditation, manifesting, & bending reality! 🧠

A Practice To Rewire Your Subconscious Mind To Become More Confident

Having more confidence is about becoming ultra familiar with the embodiment of confidence in mind and body.

It requires relentless practice to the point where your mind and body have experienced this state so frequently that it becomes your default way of thinking and feeling.

The process of cultivating confidence (or any desired quality) comes down to:

• Memory: Recalling your experience or perception of that quality.
• Imagination: Creating a vivid mental picture of what that quality looks like.
• Physiology: Feeling the sensations of that quality and embodiment.
• Awareness: Hyper focus on the experience of that quality.
• Intention: Deep commitment to developing this quality.
• Visualization: Clearly seeing yourself exhibiting this quality in your daily life.

In this piece, I lay out a quick 10-step practice of how you can apply this process to cultivating confidence.

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// In Case You Missed It

​The Universe Is Benevolent And Has Your Back!​
Transform stress and anxiety with this tiny shift in perspective.

(5 min)

——

​How Much Love Can I Have In My Heart?​
A game to play with yourself no matter what you are doing.

(2 min)

// Parting words: 🪨 ⛏️

And finally, timeless words from Michelangelo, the greatest sculptor the world has ever known:

Now, I pose this question to you as you take stock of your life:

• What will you set free?
• What is the angel within you, patiently awaiting liberation?
• What untapped potential and brilliance remain hidden behind the fortress of untruths and self-doubt you've built over the years?

Now is the only time you have for wholeness—to see beyond the superficial layers of your existence and unearth the hidden treasures within.

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With gratitude. ✌🏼

If you have any questions, feedback, or want to share some of your own insights, feel free to hit reply and let me know. I read and reply to every email.
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​As always, remember:

You are a Conscious Creator of your reality!
Keep creating your best self!

Anthony V. Lombardo

https://anthonyvlombardo.com
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P.S. Take my short Meditation Survey. 🧘🏻‍♂️

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