“Mere months ago, by her own account, she was a nasty, jaded, narcissistic bitch with a substance abuse problem, flunking out of college. Now she’s-what? Something at peace with being human, in league with something very much not.” -Richard Powers

Have you ever thought about why you choose to spend your time or money on the things and people/activities you do?

Returning after six weeks with a republishing of a tribute piece to my parents.

In short: leave room for surprise.

“Suddenly I realize that the dichotomy between the false self and the authentic self that all these recovery people talk about is meaningless. […] A better way o think about it is the destructive self and the creative self: the you that damages your life and the lives of others, and the you that brings forth the best in yourself, is connected to others, and is in harmony with the world around you.” - Neil Strauss, The Truth

Choose love. 💜

A quick reflection on the dance of giving and receiving and a personal request. 

“Nature loves courage. You make the commitment and nature will respond to that commitment by removing impossible obstacles. Dream the impossible dream and the world will not grind you under, it will lift you up. This is the trick. This is what all these teachers and philosophers who really counted, who really touched the alchemical gold, this is what they understood. This is how magic is done. By hurling yourself into the abyss and discovering it’s a feather bed.” - Terence McKenna

“The quickest way to gauge the quality of your relationships is to make a positive change. The people who are with you for the right reasons will behave the same but the people with you for the wrong reasons will quickly make themselves known.” - Mark Manson

“That was the real secret of the Tarahumara: they’d never forgotten what if felt like to love running. They remembered that running was mankind’s first fine art, our original act of inspired creation. Way before we were scratching pictures on caves or beating rhythms on hollow trees, we were perfecting the art of combining our breath and mind and muscles into fluid self-propulsion over wild terrain.” - Christopher McDougall, Born to Run.

Welcome 2024! Where are you headed?

“Be still so that you may see clearly.”

A quick recap of the last few months and an expression of gratitude.

“We are built to mourn any ending.” -David Richo

“The little house knew it would all be okay. Sometimes it takes time when finding your way.”

A brief discussion of lists and plans.

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” - Mary Oliver

Change is always present. Are you?

“Everything will be OK.” More reflections from Steve Magness’s book Do Hard Things.

There really are no shortcuts.