The Vacation Trap

We are an outward-focused species. We believe that fortunate circumstances will make us happy. On vacation, we’re supposed to be happy and the rest of the year is supposed to be a struggle. But what kind of life will we lead when only the extraordinary brings us joy? Whatever we do frequently becomes ordinary, so even the extraordinary will quickly become dull to us.Rather than waiting for an extraordinary vacation to be…

There is some fishiness going on around here

Isn’t it funny that scientists are now thinking we live in a simulation, when it’s like, “Yeah, we are living in a simulation. Our mind simulates reality.” The observation by scientists is astute, but it doesn’t mean we’re inside a computer. It means that we live inside our head.Every single thing we experience in this physical universe is experienced inside our mind. It is the result of our eyes, ears…

The Narrator of Your Life Is You

We all know that one man’s trash is another’s treasure. But did you know that one man’s wealth is another’s trash? Here’s what I mean by that. We all have blessings in this world. No matter who you are, where you are, or what you have, you are blessed to be alive in this world. The only difference between living in blessings and living in misery is the story we tell…

Let Go of the Need to Let Go

As you may know, a few years back while I was out of the country, the people closest to me stole all of my most valuable possessions. Naturally, upon refusing to give them back, that kind of thing ends a relationship. But in that act of selfishness, I lost a lot more than the relationship or my valuables.With the relationship severed and irreconcilable, I lost everything I had from my…

A Star Trek Future? Or Something Else? Let’s Talk

Our world is rapidly changing. We have very close elections and the results can have a massive impact. The world may not look much like what it used to. The demographics and the opinions of the population can swing dramatically. Some changes are good, some may be temporary setbacks (which may in the long run be a blessing in disguise), and other changes are too soon to tell.I was watching…

Looking Back, I Wish I Knew This Sooner

If you’ve seen my recent social media posts, you’ll know that my diary was stolen out of my hotel in Thailand. They took my whole camera bag which had memory cards full of photos, my expensive Nikon camera, and my journal full of my most personal thoughts, stories and struggles.At first when it happened, I was very angry. I felt violated, exposed, and naked. I knew the thief probably didn’t…

Why Personal Growth Matters Even When You’re Alone

Why should I change myself to become better if I have nobody in my life? This is a two-pronged question. Because when we say "better," what do we really mean? And that word, better, means two things to the person who asked this question. Better in the sense of, "I want to feel better. I want my mind to stop fighting me. I want to be happier, healthier, and better…

Why do people lash out and hurt others?

We live in a world that, at times, can seem to celebrate and reward the greediest among us. We live by our own code of values and morals, yet we see people who are unencumbered by ethics get ahead and who seemingly don't have a care in the world.But the truth is, there is a greater joy than the fleeting pleasure of accumulation. There is a greater and lasting peace…

We’re All Just Walking Each Other Home: The Spiritual Lesson of Ram Dass

As Ram Dass so beautifully put it, we are all just walking each other home. Ram Dass, as you may not know, was a Harvard professor who realized the height of his professional ambitions — and still discovered a deep, ever-pervading discontent and suffering. So he went on a journey to India to try to discover the true secret to happiness.And he found this spirituality over in India, and came…

Still Holding On? How to Stop Reliving Negative Experiences

As Eckhart Tolle shared in The Power of Now, he tells the story of two monks walking through a forest. They come upon a river and see a woman struggling to cross. Even though it's against their rules and customs to touch a woman, one of the monks goes over, lifts the woman, and helps her across the river.He sets her down, makes sure she’s okay, and then the two…