When we work hard to surround ourselves with the people who inspire us, the things that we aspire to have a way of working themselves out. It’s important to choose wisely the people who take up our space, time, and energy. Where our attention goes, our direction flows.
mental health
‘It Begins With You’ Jillian Turecki on The Rich Roll Podcast
Sharing a few of my favorite snippets from Rich Roll’s interview with relationship expert and bestselling author Jillian Turecki, published on November 3, 2025. On relational accountability “There are only two things that determine the quality of your relationships: who you choose and who you decide to show up as.” On selflessness “The highest form … Read More
Don’t wait
Don’t wait. On your ideas, your plans, your goals. That trip you’ve wanted to take, that career change you’ve considered making, that course you’ve considered taking, that skill or hobby you’ve always wanted to pick up, that person you’ve wanted to be honest with, that loved one you care about but haven’t reminded lately. Because … Read More
Some Tuesday thoughts for you
“You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” – Marcus Aurelius “The more varied your training, the more creative your solutions.” – David Epstein (author of Range) “Dark horses win not by beating others at their game, but by figuring out their own game and playing it better … Read More
On Street Corners, Kicks, and the Choice to Feel Anger
My therapist recently tossed me a hypothetical. Picture this: You’re walking down the street. On the corner stands a man—just standing there, minding his business. Out of nowhere, another guy walks up and kicks him. Hard. No warning, no reason. Now, she asked me, do you feel angry for the man who got kicked? I … Read More
We are who we choose to be
We are what we watch. We are what we listen to. We are what we speak. We are who we spend our time with. We are what we eat. We are what we believe. We are our devices, our instruments. We are our homes. We are the places we frequent. We are what we practice. … Read More
The world’s opinion
Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson from Society and Solitude, published in 1870.
on feeling optimistic again
I came across a post in the r/self Reddit community that inspired me to write today. The OP, a 40 year old male, wrote that he had visited a college with his young daughter recently, and the experience had made him feel sadness. The idea that the beautiful and hopeful experience that is being a … Read More
Growth vs. fixed mindset
Growth mindset is the ability to see opportunity in struggle, to learn from experiences, to adapt to changing circumstances. Less emphasis is placed on outcomes, more emphasis on process. Growth mindset assumes the principle of impermanence, that much like life itself, experiences do not occur in perpetuity, but last for only a limited period of … Read More
Vulnerability in relationships
I came across a Reddit post recently in the r/AskMenAdvice sub regarding vulnerability in relationships. The OP posed the question: help me understand the fear that someone will use your vulnerability against you. How does someone hurt you if you share personal feelings or vulnerable info? Several male redditors chimed in detailing accounts with their … Read More
Pennebaker writing protocol and effects on well-being
I caught a recent Andrew Huberman podcast detailing a writing protocol found to influence long-term outcomes in health and short-term indicators of physiological arousal and reports of negative moods, first introduced by Pennebaker, J. W., & Beall, S. K. (1986). Pennebaker et al. found that writing about traumatic or even trivial events can have therapeutic … Read More
The Concept of Repair with Becky Kennedy
A 2023 TED talk from clinical psychologist Becky Kennedy hit my YouTube algorithm this morning. I found the concept of “repair” interesting in the context of parenting, as her talk is rooted, but also in the context of adult-adult relationships. I’ve always struggled to name this idea of repair as Kennedy describes it, typically naming … Read More
2023 Review
I challenged myself. I completed a masters program. I traveled solo by bike through Europe. I competed in the pro division of an XC mountain bike race. I moved to a new place. I read many books. I wrote hundreds of thousands of words. I met amazing people. I prioritized my mental and physical health. … Read More
Disappointing affirmations
Disappointing Affirmations is a popular instagram handle that pairs the comedy of sarcastic affirmations, a parody of the current trend in wellness content, against the beauty of nature and landscape photos. There is an overwhelming amount of wellness content out there. Assuredly, people are becoming fatigued by it. The verdict is out on whether practicing … Read More
Impermanence
A few thoughts on the topic of impermanence. Nature’s first green is gold,Her hardest hue to hold.Her early leaf’s a flower;But only so an hour.Then leaf subsides to leaf.So Eden sank to grief,So dawn goes down to day.Nothing gold can stay. — Robert Frost Life is always changing, always evolving. Anyone who has lost something … Read More
FOMO, Hedonic Treadmill, Process vs. outcomes
FOMO, or “fear of missing out”, was the subject of my guided meditation this morning. FOMO could be a leading cause to the teen mental health crisis we’re seeing. The verdict is still out on that, but many millennials and younger generations are taking note, and are actively switching off social media in an attempt … Read More
Invaluable Commodities
Some people are kind or present only as far you are useful to them. Choose wisely those you surround yourself with. Your time, heart, and mind are invaluable commodities. ❤️🧠😊👍🏼
Lobha
Lobha, a Pāli word for “craving,” or “greed”. Our world revolves around wanting. This tendency to crave affects our relationships. There’s a distinction between love and wanting, or grasping. We’re all capable of love in its true sense. When we allow our friends and loved ones to be who they are, this is love. When … Read More
Existential crisis
I don’t believe in the traditional narrative that an existential or midlife crisis means simply reaching a point where life isn’t as fulfilling as we had hoped. If this turning point is anything like anxiety, then the “crisis” occurs when we receive a totally natural, healthy signal for change, and get to choose how we … Read More
How are you doing?
I was browsing the news this morning and came across an article about the rising rate of burnout in the nursing profession. I thought of those who have taken up this profession and dedicate their lives to caring for us. I have family and friends who are nurses and am incredibly grateful for their commitment … Read More