Direct Your Mind
Why do I keep learning how my mind works? Why do I keep practicing mindfulness exercises? What is all this effort actually doing? The more I learn about the mind, the more I see it as a tool. And like any tool, it needs to be kept clean, organized, and sharp. Here’s how I think […]
It’s Not Too Late
I’m 49 years old right now, and I’ve had the thought, “It’s too late for me.” What’s interesting is I’ve felt that way at so many points in my life—at 39, 33, 23, 17, and even earlier. Looking back, I can see that it wasn’t about my circumstances or my age. It was a feeling. […]
Start Again Today
It’s almost the New Year—or maybe it’s not. The date doesn’t matter because a new year isn’t the only fresh start we get. My birthday feels like my personal New Year. The Jewish New Year comes in the fall. The Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar and lands around late January or early February. […]
Learning to Manage Setbacks
A couple of days ago, I had an appointment to remove the cast I’ve been wearing on my hand and arm for six weeks. I’ve been counting down the days for this thing to come off. With the cast on, I can’t wash my own hair, I can’t bike (something I usually do every day), […]
Turning Struggles into Strength
What makes a story inspire us? What kinds of stories motivate us to keep going? It’s not usually the ones that go, “He was handed the company by his parents” or “She stumbled into success without trying.” We’re drawn to the stories of people who struggled, adjusted, pursued, and faced rejection over and over—yet still […]
Your Only Competition Is You
A few years ago, I signed up for a triathlon. It was labeled a sprint—a “quick race” by triathletes, with half a mile of swimming, 10 miles of biking, and 3 miles of running. For me, this was huge. I’ve never been a runner—actually, I’d call what I do jogging at best. On a bike, […]
Take What You Need
This morning, I discovered someone new to me. He’s well-known for his activism and thoughts about how humans think and operate. Today was my first time hearing his words. Listening to his interviews and teachings felt inspiring. His words spoke to me, and my morning slowed down in a way that was really lovely. But […]
Managing the To-Do List
Today, like you, I have a list of things I need to do. I have to get out of bed. I have to get dressed. I have to feed myself. I have to exercise. The list goes on. We all know that feeling. And as the list builds, so can feelings of dread. The more […]
Creating Your Own Challenges
What am I asking for when I ask for self development? I’m asking for the energy to live and thrive in this world. I want to accomplish big goals and build a life filled with opportunities that I pursue. But strength—the kind that helps us accomplish and pursue—doesn’t come out of nowhere. It comes from […]
Handling Difficult Relationships Calmly
There are people I have to “get ready” for. I need to set my mind at ease before meeting them because they tend to trigger me. I might feel baited into arguments or discussions I didn’t want to be part of in the first place. I might get frustrated with passive-aggressive comments or even hate […]
