Do you take time to connect with others during the week? I’ve been realizing more and more how vital it is for me to regularly visit with other people. This could be going for a walk with a girlfriend, having friends over for dinner, meeting up with someone for coffee, heck… even chatting with a stranger in the Target line. We are all in this together. When I say “this”, I mean “life”.

I recently heard a great quote.

“People aren’t against you, they’re just for themselves”

How powerful is that statement?! I think I go through a lot of my life feeling upset about how someone went to a movie and didn’t invite me, or this person flaked out on our meeting, or that guy almost ran me over while I was walking to the store. The truth is, these people are not even thinking about how their behavior affects me. They are busy worrying about what those other people think of them, how they are late for work, or have too many things on their TO DO list. You get my flow? People aren’t out to get you all day long. We are all just trying to do our best, most of the time. And we usually do our best for the things that are most important to us like a first date, or meeting a client on time, or getting chores done so you can have time to watch Breaking Bad.

When you take time out of your busy day to connect with the people around you, it helps develop some empathy and compassion. That chick in line at Trader Joe’s with the scowl on her face…she’s a person, and she’s probably pretty bummed about something that has nothing to do with you. That guy that’s tailgating your rear-end? He’s probably is feeling a lot of pressure to get somewhere faster than you’re letting him… and weren’t you just doing the same thing to someone else yesterday? (Busted)

We all need to give each other a break. And while we’re at it, give ourselves a break too. Oftentimes, if we are being super critical of the people around and in our lives, we are also guilty of constantly judging ourselves.

“I’m so fat!”
“I have a HUGE pimple on my chin!”
“I wish I were taller.”
“I’m not very well-liked at work.”
“My shoes are out-dated.”
“I’m an idiot for sending that email!”
“I always fall out of that pose at yoga. I suck.”
“I’m not as strong as they are.”

What’s my point? I refer back to the quote… PEOPLE AREN’T THINKING ABOUT YOU. ONLY YOU ARE. So stop it. The thing is, people rarely notice you unless your life is having a direct effect on their life. So if you’re going to have an effect, make it a positive one.

Some examples:

Smile at people when you walk by them.
Make your bank teller laugh.
Ask the lady at the checkout counter how HER day is going.
Call up a friend and see if they want to meet for lunch.
Send an encouraging text message.
Let people into traffic when they are trying to merge.
Send someone a card if you know they’re having a baby, birthday, wedding, etc…
Just do something good for yourself, by doing good to others.

Speaking of doing good…

Seriously you guys. Seeeeeriously. These are so, so tasty.

You know how I made that avocado pudding pie a week or so ago? Well, I decided to take it up a notch and make some avocado-based brownies. It’s like having a chocolatey raw bar with fudgy frosting on top. They are seriously full of healthy ingredients like dates, walnuts, the aforementioned avos, and raw cacao powder.

Make sure you keep them frozen until you’re ready to devour them. They will get kind of messy if they sit at room temp for too long. They are also easier to cut and serve when they are still firm.

Raw Fudgy Brownies

Base
2 c. walnuts
15-20 medjool dates, depending on the size.
1 avocado
1/2 c. cacao powder
2 tsp. vanilla extract or some raw vanilla bean!
pinch of sea salt

Topping
3 avocados
1/2 c. cacao powder (or more to taste)
1/2 c. raw coconut nectar
pinch sea salt

1. In a food processor, combine base ingredients until sticky. Press into a dish ( I lined mine with saran wrap to pull the bars out more easily). Chill.
2. In the same food pro. Combine topping ingredients until smooth. Spoon over the base and smooth out evenly.
3. Freeze until firm and then cut into 16 squares. Eat some, share the rest.