If you lock that door, nobody can get in your house, okay? If you open that door, you allow somebody in. And so it's about time we start realizing what is our responsibility and what are we allowing in life? What are we not allowing? Because a lot of times we like to blame it on our external environment. Like, if I just didn't live with my parents, I wouldn't be frustrated. And it's like, no, you can manage that
Deborah Pardes
@DBPardes · 2:11
And people who help push me towards something that they think I need based on their love and knowledge of me and those that pull me back and want to discuss, like, why am I doing this? Why am I doing these drugs? Why am I in this relationship? Why am I making this job something I'm pursuing if it's not going to help me? All these things can be different in the context of connection and community
And, Deborah, I love what you said about community. I don't think I make decisions without consulting with the people closest to me. And most of the time, they really try to just tap into my inner being, my values, and they really try to protect me and what I want. So, yeah, I think it's so important that the people around you who reinforced the identity or the person that you wanted Wang to be and that you are but yeah, so great
Jack .
@zejacques · 2:23
And then I'll have a little smoke and it's extra special and feels really nice. But then also if that's it for the night and then I kind of go to sleep. So I really appreciate what you said. That's all I got. I could really say
Michael Slade
@Freshslade · 5:00
Hey, DB. Pardes, thanks so much for commenting because you're exactly right and I agree with that completely. And the reason I made this well in the first place was because I really wanted each of us to examine exactly what you said, like the environment. Because our boundaries is have a lot to do with who we surround ourselves with. Because our boundaries also play in a role with our relationships. Who do we let in and why do we let it in?
Michael Slade
@Freshslade · 4:47
It's a big peer pressure type of thing. And I like how you mentioned how you quit smoking cigarettes and quit drinking. I had to do the same thing for weed because my siblings smoke my friends, and at one point it seemed like that it followed me everywhere. Everyone I met was just like, let's smoke, let's get high
Michael Slade
@Freshslade · 4:59
And that means sometimes making the more difficult decision to not smoke, even when it's offered to me for free and kind of waved in my face, I kind of have to just be real with myself and say, do you want to smoke for short term gratification? Or do you wang to wake up tomorrow ready to energize, to tackle your dreams? And I have to make that decision to myself. I have to be real with myself
Jack .
@zejacques · 0:54
Hey, Michael, thanks for taking the time to get back to me. And also, Deborah and Jay, you've got a really beautiful voice and you're very articulate and enjoy listening to you. And I can tell you a very emotionally intelligent person, which I respect and appreciate