Plans Give Us Direction Most of us make plans because we want some control over where our lives are going. We set goals, build careers, save money, and imagine what the future might look like. Planning helps us set goals, stay focused, and make better decisions. Problems begin when we become so focused on one
When Life Throws You a Curveball Read More »
The Tightrope Lesson Watch an experienced tightrope walker, and you will notice something interesting. The performer does not spend the entire crossing staring at the rope beneath their feet. Instead, they use visual reference points while their body responds to movement. The rope shifts, the arms move, and the performer makes small corrections. None of
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Believe in the Idea Before Others Do If you only create what people already like, you may spend your life repeating what someone else has proven successful. Original ideas require the confidence to begin without applause, approval, or guarantees. That does not mean every idea is worth pursuing. It means giving a promising idea enough
If You Only Create What People Already Like, You May Never Create Anything New Read More »
Why Do We Tell People Not to Hope? I have never completely understood why we tell people, “Don’t get your hopes up,” when something good might happen. I understand the reason behind it. We think lowering our expectations will make disappointment hurt less. But when I really want something, telling myself not to hope for
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Surviving Alone Is Not the Same as Living Alone When I said every man needs some form of brotherhood, some men disagreed. They argued that strong men handle life themselves and that trusting others only creates vulnerability. I understand the caution. Trust should be earned, and everybody calling you brother is not your brother. But
A Strong Man Can Stand Alone, but a Wise Man Knows He Shouldn’t Stay There Read More »
The Same Choice, Different Outcome Imagine two drunk drivers making the same reckless decision. Both drink too much, both drive, and both put other people at risk. One gets home safely, while the other hits a child who happens to step into the street. We naturally judge the second driver more harshly, even though the
Intelligence Is More Than What You Know A kind person is not automatically intelligent, and an intelligent person is not automatically kind. What interests me is the role empathy plays in understanding. Empathy allows me to consider what another person may be thinking or feeling without requiring me to agree. Some people are brilliant with
Smart in the Head and the Heart Read More »
Everybody Around You Is Not Good for You I have learned to be careful about who I allow into my space. Some people can leave me feeling drained through constant complaining, conflict, jealousy, or drama. Folks sometimes call them energy vampires, and I understand the feeling behind that phrase even if I do not take
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When Art Gives the Pieces Somewhere to Go Sometimes I create because life has left parts of me feeling broken. Memories, losses, disappointments, and wounds do not always fit neatly together, but art gives them somewhere to go. Acting allows me to give fear, grief, anger, tenderness, humor, and longing another voice. Painting and writing
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When Life Becomes a Spectacle In 1967, French writer and filmmaker Guy Debord published The Society of the Spectacle, a critique of consumer culture and the growing power of representation. Debord, a leading figure in the Situationist International, argued that modern life was moving away from direct experience and toward appearances. His famous line, “Everything
Am I Living My Life or Performing It? Read More »