Jordan Bates

I used to be jealous. Back in high school, I wasn’t the most “popular” kid. I wasn’t hated by all or anything, but I hovered around the bubble between being “cool” or not. I let it bother me. I wanted to be taller, more athletic, and better-looking. I never despised myself, but I often let jealousy [...]

Last week, I was crippled by pointless worry. Little stresses here and there snowballed into serious anxiety. I began imagining worst case scenarios about the future, my hectic schedule, and my relationship. I allowed myself to be consumed by needless fretting. Instead of being swept up in these negative thoughts, I should’ve focused on being [...]

Every second of every day, we are all changing the world, for better or for worse. Some of you may scoff and think, Bullspiittt. Like what I’m doing right now has any effect on everything else. But you’re wrong. It does. All of our tiny thoughts, words, and actions add up to the whole. You are [...]

Working for long spells saps us of our motivation and focus. After working for an hour or three, we begin to slack off and distract ourselves. We tinker, fiddle, doodle, and daydream. Everyone experiences this, but not everyone knows a remedy. Countless folks assume they lack some quality that allows ‘hard workers’ to stay in [...]

Life isn’t always vibrant rainbows and blue crystal skies. Dark clouds, hail storms, and the occasional tornado crop up in our minds. Exasperation, anxiety, melancholy, and other bad feelings strike us, often unexpectedly. It’s important to recognize these states of mind as necessary. Without them, we wouldn’t appreciate the wonders of contentment, peace, and joy. We should [...]

I want to share an important truth about life. This one thing can mean tragedy or bliss for you, depending on how you act on it. Ready? Here it is. Our habits become our lives. Everything you want to do each day results from actions you repeat and routines you develop. If you can muster the [...]

It’s saddening how many people fall into the treacherous quicksand of bad habits. They repeatedly make the same mistakes and end up feeling frozen in place. And most of the time, it isn’t their fault. They fail to grasp that we get from life what we give. They haven’t realized the world we see reflects [...]

If there is one cause that every man and woman breathing should support, it is this. A future paradigm crucial to the preservation of mankind. A mantra supporting equal rights for all people. A shift of mindset that will make you a better, happier person. We must consciously embrace diversity. That is, we must appreciate the richness [...]

“Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” — Mark Twain We’re taught the mantra from a young age — “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This one saying contains mountains of wisdom. If put into practice, it packs a serious wallop. Most people don’t practice it, though. [...]