Life Skills

Every traveler knows the difference between a destination and a compass. The destination tells you where you hope to end up. The compass keeps you moving in the right direction along the way. Life requires both. Without a destination, you drift. Without a compass, you get lost. Together, they give you clarity and confidence for the journey.

Destination and Compass Read More »

Life hands us treasures in two distinct ways. Some are given: they arrive without our effort, woven into the structure of existence itself. Others are created: they emerge from our own hands, imaginations, and labors. Together, these two streams make up the bounty of being alive.

Given and Created Treasures Read More »

When life grows heavy, numbing calls to us like a mirage. A drink to quiet the nerves. A screen to scroll the hours away. A purchase to fill the hollow. A burst of workaholism to silence the questions. For a moment, numbing seems to help. The ache dulls. The noise fades. But then the mirage evaporates, and we find ourselves not refreshed but emptier, further from the wellspring of life.

The Mirage of Numbing Read More »

Okay, Mr. Life Savor: yes, life is a gift. But it’s also a trial. Bills come due, bodies ache, relationships fray, accidents strike, and headlines darken our minds. Even when fortune smiles, stress and worry find their way in. So the question arises: how do we stay sane enough to keep loving life?

How Do We Stay Sane Enough to Love Life? Read More »

We all know the feeling. Expectations press in like a fog, filling our head with shoulds and musts. A grade, a job title, a social standing. One misstep feels catastrophic, as if the whole life we’ve imagined will implode. Sometimes the cost of those expectations is devastating.

The Weight of Expectations Read More »

There are a million ideas out there about what to do with your life. Your parents have one. So do your friends, your boss, your culture. They’ll tell you what’s smart. What’s responsible. What’s impressive. But if you want a compass that points to something truly yours, try this one: follow your fascination.

Follow Your Fascination Read More »

Is depression all bad? Well, yes, in a sense it is. Because when you’re depressed, nothing feels good. But in the background, there are some things going on that can actually be helpful to you. Especially if you fully and honestly let yourself be depressed.

Depressed? Maybe That’s Okay For A While Read More »

These are moments that pierce the ordinary. They remind us of what’s possible in life—not someday, but right here and now. They’re not about material achievement, nor about numbing pleasure. They’re about something more primal and profound: the sheer aesthetic experience of being alive.

Glorious Life Experiences Read More »

In a world full of prestige TV, one small, tender series broke my film-geek defenses—and made me cry every single time. After Life (currently on Netflix) is the most personally moving TV series I’ve ever seen. And that’s saying something....

“After Life” Made Me Cry. Repeatedly. Read More »

Life is hard.  The grind of obligations. The stresses. The frustrations.  Sometimes it feels like we’re barely keeping our heads above water. So we ask ourselves: Why do we live?  What's it all for? Why do we even bother? I believe we live for something so uniquely human that we often overlook it. I believe we live for the aesthetic experience of life.

Living for the Aesthetic Experience of Life Read More »

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