Wars are started by those with power. Ordinary people live inside them. Olena is a poet and a writer. She lives in Ukraine. This is her portrait of what ordinary life looks like inside a war zone. Continue reading The Ordinary Ones. A Voice From Ukraine
During a weekend visit last summer, I had the pleasure of meeting Jean-Cédric Jacmart, a man who has experienced several careers and life changes. For the past ten years, he has settled in the quaint village of Desnié, located in the province of Liège, Belgium. Here, amidst the rolling hills, Jean-Cédric founded “Le Petit Monde de Desnié” (the Small World of Desnié) a permaculture micro-farm. … Continue reading The Values and Philosophy Behind Permaculture
When the world feels unpredictable and loud, where do we return? This post explores connection, responsibility, and the everyday practice of listening inward — and how staying grounded can help us hold on to goodness, even in times like ours. Continue reading An Ordinary Day in a Loud World
In my personal blog I recently wrote about my experience of the magic of the Ayurveda retreat where I understood clearly the quietness that comes from stepping away from daily life. But I haven’t wondered why retreats work so profoundly. What’s actually happening in our brain when we unplug, slow down, and immerse ourself in a new environment? I recently dove into research, and what … Continue reading How a One-Week Retreat Rewires Your Brain: The Science Behind Lasting Change
Every December, cities light up, carols fill the air, and the scent of pine and gingerbread lingers. For many, Christmas is a season of joy, nostalgia, and connection. For others, it’s just another day, or even a source of stress. But what if the difference between loving and loathing the holidays could be seen in our brains? A team of Danish researchers set out to … Continue reading Can Science Spot the Christmas Spirit in Your Brain?
We take our true crime seriously here in the Pacific Northwest. I think that’s because we were home to both best-selling true crime author Ann Rule, and notable serial killer Ted Bundy. In a strange crossing of paths, Ann Rule and Ted Bundy both volunteered at a suicide crisis hotline in Seattle and were friendly. I’m qualified to weigh in about this because when Ted … Continue reading The Murderer Killings
One day in Pokhara, Nepal at the height of the humid season, everything felt like it was boiling. My mind, my Mac, even my sense of self seemed to sizzle. I walked out into the warm rain just to breathe, and ended up in a small restaurant. By pure chance, I met a Swedish man doing business in Nepal. Impulsive as always, I started talking … Continue reading Shine in darkness
It feels like I’m spending a lot of time with pitches these days. No, that’s not a World Series joke, although that would be timely. I mean the “a form of words used when trying to persuade someone to buy or accept something.” For example, PR agents pitch guests to come on my How to Share podcast. I pitch sponsors, guests and hosts for why … Continue reading The Art of the Pitch
This is a follow up of my last week post on Art Therapy. When I first began blogging, I didn’t realize I was engaging in something deeply therapeutic. I thought I was simply documenting my thoughts, sharing my experiences, reporting on my findings, and connecting with others. But over time, I noticed something profound: the act of writing helps me face my difficulties, even though … Continue reading Blogging as Art Therapy: Writing Your Way to Emotional Wellness
Art therapy is more than painting or sculpting—it’s a transformative journey into the self. Rooted in psychology and creative expression, this therapeutic approach helps individuals explore emotions, overcome psychological challenges, and foster personal growth. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, trauma, or simply seeking deeper self-awareness, art therapy offers a non-verbal, yet profoundly expressive, path to healing. What Is Art Therapy? Art therapy is a form … Continue reading Art Therapy: Healing Through Creativity and Emotional Expression
A squirrel stole my sunflowers. I’ve been plotting my next move ever since. Encase the next bloom in wire mesh? Line the top of the nearby fence in sticky tape? Or better yet, a bed of thumbtacks? At the beginning of the summer, my neighbor gave me a few sunflower starts. Now I understand why she plants them out in the front of her house … Continue reading Creative Response
The “Two Random Questions” concept is a simple conversation game where you ask someone two questions that neither of you knows beforehand. Each person gets about two and a half minutes to answer each question. The goal is to spark spontaneous, honest, and often surprising conversations—connecting with someone in a way that’s unexpected and playful. Continue reading The Power of a Random Question
I’ve been reflecting recently on some forms of creative block that aren’t actually creative block. And so maybe, I shouldn’t even call them forms of creative block. What to call them then? Things that seem like creative block but aren’t? Extrinsic blocks to creative exercise or completion? Whatever the case, it seemed interesting enough to share, and perhaps relevant beyond that. So here are five … Continue reading When Creative Block Isn’t Creative Block
Reflecting from northern Thailand, I explore life’s big questions amid rapid change and rising AI. Using ChatGPT as a modern oracle, I asked about spirituality, God, and prayer—and shared diverse, thoughtful answers. This post invites you to reflect on technology, uncertainty, and living with intention today.
I Continue reading Navigating Life’s Uncertainty: AI and Spirituality
I regularly ignore all AI suggestions for my posts. Sentences too long? Not enough headings? Bah! But I write my titles last. And every once in a while I will test out the title generator when I’m stuck finding the right title. Wow, are those title suggestions dry! For instance, I tried it with this post. Would anyone click through to?: But of course those … Continue reading Writing For Humans
We often talk about politics as if it’s something outside of us — distant, disconnected.
But what happens when it seeps into our relationships, our identities, our hearts?
Today, I saw more clearly how our personal stories and lived experiences shape the way we show up in the political space. How our pain, our history, and our longing for belonging all get projected into the public sphere — often without us realizing.
Whether it’s an American grappling with their country’s choices, or a Jewish person reckoning with the actions of the Israeli government — behind every opinion is a human story.
This post isn’t about taking sides.
It’s about remembering our shared humanity in a world that so often forgets it Continue reading When Politics Hurts: The Conflict, Connection, and Unspoken Pain We All Carry
What does hope look like when you’re building a life from scratch—with no safety net, no shortcuts, and no guarantees?
In this interview, I speak with the owner of a small hotel in Nepal about dreams, resilience, and what it means to keep going—day by day, with intention and grit. Born of curiosity and edited through challenge (between the relentless heat and a MacBook that kept freezing), this story is for anyone navigating uncertainty and choosing to begin again and again—because they dare to dream, and they’re determined to create. Continue reading Grit, Growth, and Everyday Courage in Nepal
Last week I had dinner with a friend who was concerned about the impact of AI on the work he does. As a marketing professional, he fills a lot of roles for how to communicate to and motivate audiences. He’d recently heard an interview with an AI expert who predicted that 90% of US jobs could be replaced by AI as early as 2027-2028. I’ll … Continue reading Sharing In the Age of AI
What if your entire life has been guided by a hidden thread—one theme quietly shaping your journey?
From your greatest challenges to your most joyful moments, there may be a pattern, a deeper purpose, waiting to be discovered. This blog invites you to explore the “red thread” of your life—the invisible force that connects your past to your present, and your purpose to your path. Continue reading The Secret Thread That Weaves Through Your Life
Nowadays it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the daily tasks we are supposed to accomplish. On top of that , do you have an ever-growing pile of books on your nightstand? But what if I told you that this pile isn’t a sign of failure or procrastination, but rather a testament to your intellectual curiosity and potential? Welcome to the art of tsundoku—the Japanese … Continue reading Tsundoku or Your Unread Books
