Look for all those opportunities that flow your way — I surfed once in my life. It was only one brief ride when I caught a good wave on a surfboard. It was a short yet thrilling experience. It was many years ago when I was in my early twenties. …

How shifting our mindset and widening our perspective can bring us peace — It’s been a tough week. I’m spending time with two of my younger brothers. As I write this, I can glance up from the hotel lounge — directly across the street is Rush hospital, where one brother, Andy, is in the ICU on a ventilator and breathing tube. He was…

How to hold on to your vision in the face of opposition — Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. — Winston Churchill A young actor in the 1970s is trying desperately to make a name for himself. He’d spent years in New York doing the grind of auditions. …

Gratitude, astonishment, and awakening of consciousness can promote prosocial behavior — I’m a stargazer. Whenever I find myself far away from the noise of city lights, I take time to step out and experience the free night sky show. I often recruit others to join me. It allows me to share some astronomy facts I’ve picked up over the years. As…

When it comes time to dive back into dating, social situations, or the post-pandemic-world — I did some SCUBA diving many years ago. It was an adventure I wanted to experience. Even my checkout or certification dive was an adventure. I was with an instructor, and while sitting on the bottom of a muddy lake in Wisconsin practicing one of the exercises, my weight belt…

A thriving, beautiful garden requires regular attention and work; the same is true for our minds — We love the backyard sanctuary we’ve created. It’s my happy place. Plants, flowers, and wildlife surround me — I’m connecting with nature. In April and May, the cherry trees, magnolias, and forsythias are bursting with blooms. My grape and honeysuckle vines are popping with new growth. Birds are migrating through…

As much as 90% of all inter-personal conflicts never reach an agreement, but it doesn’t have to be this way — Over ninety percent of fights end in a standoff. I can’t abide conflict for very long. I’m one of those who will retreat rather than stand my ground if I see no progress being made. If people are firmly convicted in their position, it’s a waste of time and energy. …

How society tries to put us in a box — Japanese baseball sensation, Shohei Ohtani was the 2021 major league baseball MVP as a pitcher for the Los Angeles Raiders. Or, was he a designated hitter for the Angels? Both attributes are true; he’s what’s known as a 2-way player. Ohtani is a rare species today. This was not the…

The process is in the acronym — S.T.O.P. — Suppose you come across a posting for your dream job at your dream company. It’s a position that checks all the boxes and sounds perfectly suited for your skillset, with plenty of room for future growth. You update and polish up your resume, draft a passionate, kick-ass cover letter, and…