Repeat with Practice
Across many religious traditions, chanting, singing, or repeating phrases has been part of prayer, meditation, or ritual for centuries. But you don’t need to follow a specific belief system to feel the benefits. I’ve sat in rooms where people chanted together—no performance, no pressure—just sound, rhythm, and breath. One group handed out lyric sheets so […]
Rest with Practice
Many major religions set aside time each week for rest: In Judaism, the Sabbath is from Friday evening to Saturday evening. For Christians, Sunday is the traditional day. In Islam, Friday is a day of congregational prayer and pause. While the specifics vary, the message is consistent: take a break from your regularly scheduled life. […]
Find Patience Like a Chef
Patience is tough—especially in the kitchen, where waiting feels optional. I’ve been completely full by the time I finished cooking a meal, just from all the tasting. I’ve thrown ingredients into the pot too soon, turned the heat up too high, or skipped steps because I was too impatient to wait. But every time I […]
Play Like a Kindergartener
When we were kids, fun didn’t need a reason. We could spend hours making up stories, singing nonsense songs, running through sprinklers, or digging in the dirt or sand. As an adult, it’s easy to get caught up in tasks, obligations, and responsibilities. There’s always something serious demanding attention, and if I focus too much […]
The Sit in Silence Challenge
From the moment I wake up to the time I go to sleep, I have access to endless entertainment and information. Movies, short videos, entire series, vlogs, blogs, books, music, podcasts—you name it. And it’s not all mindless. A lot of it helps me learn, tweak my habits, and stay on track. But as helpful […]
Recharge Like a Game
Some days, midday hits and my energy crashes. It feels like I’ve been drained of everything I need to keep going. Like I just ran out of steam, all at once. But when I really look back, there were always signs—hunger, thirst, tension, or just a general sense of overwhelm. I decided to try thinking […]
Overcome Suffering Like a Stoic
The Stoics believe that we suffer more in our imagination than in reality. And frankly, that tracks. I’ve caught myself replaying events over and over in my mind, creating entire arguments with people while in the shower, and even convincing myself that the more I love someone, the more I have to worry about them. […]
Use Emotions Like a Stoic
There’s something so calming about the way Stoics approach life. They manage their emotions in a way that creates simplicity and peace. That’s always been something I’ve admired, especially because, for a long time, my emotions dictated my entire day. If something didn’t go my way, I’d spiral—from disappointed to upset to devastated. Hours would […]
Let Go Like a Stoic
When life feels chaotic, sometimes my first instinct is to grip harder. I try to handle everything and everyone, convinced that if I don’t, things will fall apart. But instead of fixing the situation, I end up feeling drained and overwhelmed. My sense of humor fades, I lose my flexibility, and I can’t focus on […]
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 […]
