• About Us
      • Submissions
      • Advertise
      • Support
      • Subscribe
    • ColoradoBoulevard.net
    • Front Page
    • News & Headlines
      • News
      • Editorials
      • Interviews
      • Tips
    • Events
      • Highlighted Events
      • Submit an Event
      • Event Categories
      • Locations
    • Environmental
      • Gardening
      • Organic
    • Arts
      • Reviews
      • Cartoons
      • Poetry
      • Knitting
    • Science, Tech, Biz
    • Food, Health, Education
      • Food
      • Health
      • Education
    • Benjilock in Pasadena Among 2023 Best of US Chamber of Commerce Small BusinessesBenjilock in Pasadena Among 2023 Best of US Chamber of Commerce Small Businesses
    • PUSD Special Meeting: A Survey To Be Shared WidelyPUSD Special Meeting: A Survey To Be Shared Widely
    • A Bold Stand Against Gun Violence in Alhambra – But Not TodayA Bold Stand Against Gun Violence in Alhambra – But Not Today
    • L.A. County Board Supports Film IndustryL.A. County Board Supports Film Industry
    • South Pasadena Unified Teacher of the YearSouth Pasadena Unified Teacher of the Year
    • Celebrate a Very Happy Halloween at Kidspace!Celebrate a Very Happy Halloween at Kidspace!
    • Introducing Pasadena Tournament of Roses 2024 Royal Court FinalistsIntroducing Pasadena Tournament of Roses 2024 Royal Court Finalists
      • Editorials

        Guest Opinion | Simplify

        • Guest Author
          • February 15, 2023
          • 0 comments
      45
      SHARES
      Share
      hills and mountains bathed with sunshine light

      (Photo – Emma Shupper)

      We are defined by what we choose to reject.

      By Emma Shupper

      We are defined by how we choose to navigate the world.

      We are defined by how we choose to treat others.

      We are defined by how we choose to connect. We are defined by how we choose.

      In a world that is growing so quickly – a world where we are seeing so much systemic polarization – we are defined by how we choose to respond and how we choose to heal, both ourselves and our communities.

      Sometimes healing requires taking a step back – a step back to look inward, to look backward, and to look forward… to see where we were, where we are, and where we are going.

      As humans, we are wired to learn. Sometimes, it takes reflecting, taking a pause, and Simplifying – looking at things on a deeper level, looking at our deepest roots and deepest intentions. Sometimes it means taking a step back to be grateful and appreciative of the people that we have in our lives and the things that bring our lives meaning.

      It is about taking a step back to recognize that behind all of the words and fear and anxiety and hate and anger… we are all the same…

      We are all struggling in our own ways; we all seek connection – and the beauty of life lies in the dichotomy between this simultaneous uniqueness and togetherness. Uniqueness in that no life is the same, but togetherness in that each of us has pain.

      Maybe we just need a moment to look a bit deeper than what is on the surface – what is on people’s faces and on the walls that each of us builds to be able to navigate a world that is painful.

      Maybe it takes looking past the superficial to realize that we are all human and we are all worthy on the inside.

      I do wonder when we can take these masks off and be vulnerable to the hurt that we are all feeling inside… so that we can move forward to the other side, to the light side that always follows the dark side.

      Emma Shupper, a former mechanical engineer, is a personal trainer and business owner with passion for helping others find meaning and clarity in their lives through the integration of movement, intuitive eating, and mindfulness.


      We hope you appreciated this article. Before you move on, please consider supporting the Colorado Boulevard’s journalism.

      Billionaires, hedge fund owners and local imposters have a powerful hold on the information that reaches the public. Colorado Boulevard stands to serve the public interest – not profit motives.

      While fairness guides everything we do, we know there is a right and a wrong position in the fight against racism and climate crisis while supporting reproductive rights and social justice. We provide a fresh perspective on local politics – one so often missing from so-called ‘local’ journalism.

      You can access Colorado Boulevard’s paywall-free journalism because of our unique reader-supported model. People like you, informed readers, keep us independent, beholden to no outside influence, and accessible to everyone.

      Please consider supporting Colorado Boulevard today. Thank you. (Click to Support)

      45
      SHARES
      Share
      Tagged: Emma ShupperGuest Opinion | Simplify

      Post navigation

      Pasadena To Host ‘Parking Open House’
      Poets Salon: Finding My Heart

      Recommended Articles

      • A political pamphlet on a table

        Guest Opinion | Vote Yes on Measure PCC

      • a sign on a median

        Guest Opinion | NO on HR

      • a sign on a median

        Guest Opinion | YES on HR

      Contributor

        • Author
        • Recent Posts
        • Guest Author

          Colorado Boulevard is your place for enlightening events, informative news and social living for the greater Pasadena area.
          We strive to inform, educate, and work together to make a better world for all of us, locally and globally.

        • Latest posts by Guest Author

          • September 19, 2023
            Childhood Memories in Pasadena
          • September 18, 2023
            Green Up Your Banking
          • September 12, 2023
            An Arts Conservatory Comes to Pasadena Unified

          See all articles

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    • Thank You! (Click Photo Below)

      A ribbon with 10th Anniversary writing on it and fireworks behind it

      Print Edition

      In Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, San Marino, San Gabriel and Alhambra.

      Live Memories

      coloradoblvd

      A top from one of our readers, a major back up on A top from one of our readers, a major back up on the 210 near Lake Ave the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023
      #fall is here. Cordova and Hill in #Pasadena #fri #fall is here. Cordova and Hill in  #Pasadena #fridayevening
      Nick Ariondo in #Southpasadena #paris #italy in #s Nick Ariondo in #Southpasadena #paris #italy in #socal
      Artist, singer, dancer, poet and writer Toti O'Bri Artist, singer, dancer, poet and writer Toti O'Brien @altadenalibrary #Collage #art #exhibit
      Load More... Follow on Instagram

      Events by Date

      <<September, 2023>>
      SMTWTFS
      27 28 29 30 31 1 2
      3 4 5 6 7 8 9
      10 11 12 13 14 15 16
      17 18 19 20 21 22 23
      24 25 26 27 28 29 30

    Latest from our contributors

    • Science, Tech, Business

      Benjilock in Pasadena Among 2023 Best of US Chamber of Commerce Small Businesses

      Briony James
    • News & Headlines

      PUSD Special Meeting: A Survey To Be Shared Widely

      News Desk
    • Editorials

      A Bold Stand Against Gun Violence in Alhambra – But Not Today

      Melissa Michelson
    • Arts & Entertainment, Cartoons

      Thoughts for Pennies: "Personal Preference"

      Glenn Storm
    • Environmental Impact

      Are You Suffering From Climate Change Trauma? You’re Not Alone!

      Thom Hawkins
    • Arts & Entertainment, Reviews

      Review | "How It's Gon' Be"

      Carol Edger Germain
    • Education

      CIS Recognizes Star Students

      Scott Phelps
    • Editorials

      Childhood Memories in Pasadena

      Guest Author
    • Science, Tech, Business

      100 Year Anniversary of Hubble… on the 100 Inch Telescope

      Jerry Friedman
    • News & Headlines

      San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce and City Council: Part Trois

      Cheryl Cabot
      • ColoradoBoulevard.net
      • Home
      • About Us
      • Submissions
      • Advertise
      • Subscribe
      • Privacy and Cookies Policy
      • Terms of Use

      © ColoradoBoulevard.net - By Coloradoblvd.net and WMF

    • ColoradoBoulevard.net logo

      Categories

      • Arts & Entertainment
        • Cartoons
        • Knitting
        • Poetry
        • Reviews
      • Environmental Impact
        • Deals
        • Gardening
        • Organic
      • Food, Health, Education
        • Education
        • Food
        • Health
      • Highlighted Events
      • News & Headlines
        • Editorials
        • Interviews
        • Tips
      • Science, Tech, Business
      • Who's Who
      • Front Page
      • About Us
      • Submissions
      • Advertise
      • Community Events
        • Highlighted Events
        • Event Categories
        • Event Locations
        • Submit an Event

      Join Us

      • Subscribe
      • Support
      • Newsflash

          • Loading...
          • You're all caught up!
          • Oops something went wrong!

          See all newsflashes

          Back to articles