Repost: The Real Secret to Being Happier and More Successful in the Workplace

In “What I’ve Learned about Life while Watching My Father Age,” a blog I wrote several weeks ago, I mentioned that I’d been reading On Death and Dying, a wonderfully insightful book written by Elisabeth Kϋbler-Ross.  Throughout that tome, the author argues that doctors need to take a more “human” approach while treating dying patients.  She also points out that the field of medicine stresses the … Continue reading Repost: The Real Secret to Being Happier and More Successful in the Workplace

A Tantra Way of Living

Some days ago I received an email and it gave me Déjà vu. This story started back in 2022.  I had been told that I should explore Tantra on many occasions over the years. Tantra? Should I explore sexuality with random partners and call it spiritual sex? No, thank you, that is not for me, I thought.  Maybe it triggered my ultra-Iranian origins ; who … Continue reading A Tantra Way of Living

Repost: Places that “Made” Me: Installment Three

My greatest regret during my Peace Corps experience is that I wasn’t into taking photos at that time.  I was into living life, though, as hard as it could be lived, tiptoeing right up to the line of being wildly self-destructive.  It’s just that I don’t have much of a photographic record of all that living beyond the boundaries.  I do have memories, tons of … Continue reading Repost: Places that “Made” Me: Installment Three

heart shape on wall over vinyl disk

Where is home? They say home is where your heart belongs

Where is home? It is a question that has been growing within me more, the older I become. My life has been greatly affected by politics, moving, and family patterns. This has given me a broader insight regarding life, the world and humanity, than most people around me.  In this video, I am talking about where is home, my experience as a foreigner and uprooting … Continue reading Where is home? They say home is where your heart belongs

Repost: Places that “Made” Me: Installment Two

If you read my first installment, you know that I was a Peace Corps Volunteer and was sent to PĨock, Poland, a beautiful and fascinating city located on the Vistula River, to complete my Pre-Service Training (PST), a demanding educational regime that was designed to see if I’d be up to the various challenges I’d certainly encounter once I was sent off to the town or city … Continue reading Repost: Places that “Made” Me: Installment Two

brown wooden gavel on brown wooden table

Judge Me, Judge Me Not

When I was 17 years old, I worked in a grocery store. One day a co-worker and I were pushing a giant skid full of milk cartons through the store. The skid was piled high with milk crates and was much taller than we were.  We were using a skid mover, which was being steered by yet another coworker; driver in the front, two “engines“ in the back.  Continue reading Judge Me, Judge Me Not

Repost: Places that “Made” Me: Installment One

My mind works in mysterious ways.  For example, three or four days ago, for no particular reason, the following question popped into my head:  I wonder who said, “Clothes make the man”?  I then almost immediately forgot that I’d asked this question—my brain having its own unique way of functioning—and went about my daily business. This morning I got online and found out that Mark … Continue reading Repost: Places that “Made” Me: Installment One

person holding colorful heart shaped

Embracing Outrospection in an Age of Introspection Overload

In our fast-paced world, where self-reflection and personal development have become buzzwords, it’s easy to find ourselves caught in a whirlwind of introspection. We’re constantly encouraged to look inward, understand our feelings, and navigate the labyrinth of our own minds. However, in the midst of this cultural obsession with self-discovery, we may be inadvertently neglecting a crucial element of human connection — outrospection. The Rise … Continue reading Embracing Outrospection in an Age of Introspection Overload

Repost: On Anger

I’ve been thinking a lot about anger recently.  In fact, I’ve been looking at the topic long enough to be ready to put my thoughts on paper. For a person interested in studying anger and the angry response, this is a kind of perfect moment.  There’s so much anger out there, being expressed in all sorts of contexts by all kinds of people, that there’s … Continue reading Repost: On Anger

two women sitting on ground near bonfire

The Power of Active Listening: A Musical Approach

Do you find solace in music? How do you engage with your favorite tunes? Why do I think that active listening is very similar to a musical approach? During my teenage years, I found joy in memorizing the lyrics of beloved songs—a practice I continue today. Mastering lyrics becomes effortless when I immerse myself in the melody, replaying the same song multiple times. This parallels … Continue reading The Power of Active Listening: A Musical Approach

sorry text in pieces of white paper

Why Apologizing Is an Act of Responsibility

It happens sometimes that we say the wrong thing at the wrong time, or something inappropriate, or have an attitude that has offended the sensibilities of one or more people. In everyday life, communication errors and misunderstandings are the order of the day. But how do we behave when we realize that something we have said or done has had a negative impact on others? … Continue reading Why Apologizing Is an Act of Responsibility

woman sitting on cliff overlooking mountain

Why It’s Better To Not Know Who You Are

A year ago, I made the decision to leave Hong Kong not knowing how it would all pan out. It threw me into an existential midlife crisis. The idea that I didn’t know who I was was at the heart of the issue. I still don’t know if I made the right decision. Ask me again in 10 years. We shall see! I realise it’s … Continue reading Why It’s Better To Not Know Who You Are

Repost: A Meditation on Something I Heard the Other Day

On Friday, October 11th, I attended a professional development workshop at the college where I’m employed.  The title of the session was “Communication Skills for Collaboration.”  Looking back, I don’t think the title gave an apt preview of what the talk would cover.  Plus, the title was boring; whereas, the actually workshop was quite interesting. During the early moments of the presentation, the presenter began … Continue reading Repost: A Meditation on Something I Heard the Other Day

mad formal executive man yelling at camera

The Pitfalls of Arrogance: Why Humility Triumphs

Arrogance, the trait of overestimating one’s abilities or importance while underestimating others, is a human characteristic like many others. While it may sometimes be mistaken for self-confidence, arrogance often leads to negative consequences in personal and professional relationships. Let’s see why arrogance has a destructive power and why embracing humility is a far wiser choice. The Destructive Power of Arrogance Arrogance can act as a … Continue reading The Pitfalls of Arrogance: Why Humility Triumphs

Repost: On Dealing with Emotional Extremes

I’m getting older.  We all are.  Of course, as we age, we lose things.  For example, because I’m older and injured my knee playing competitive sports when I was a young guy, I can no longer jog without having significant pain afterwards.  That sucks, but I’m fine with that limitation and loss. It’s not all bad news though.  I’m gaining things too.  For example, I … Continue reading Repost: On Dealing with Emotional Extremes

Repost: Napping as an Act of Defiance

I’ve been thinking a lot about defiance lately.  Actually, because I’m very much a contrarian at heart, I’m always thinking about ways to defy.  That’s what contrarians do; they defy conventional wisdom (among other things).  (By the way, it seems pretty clear that we need a lot more contrarians in the world.) I guess you could also say that I’m part of the resistance against … Continue reading Repost: Napping as an Act of Defiance

man in black sweater and blue denim jeans sitting on brown wooden chair

Bad Life Advice I’m Tired Of Hearing

I have a serious beef with some of our tried and true inspirational sayings. It’s bad advice!  In fact, I’ve discarded it for most of my life and  that seems to have worked out pretty well so far.  But, I’m tired of seeing others suffer needlessly as they cling to this nonsense, believing they’re doing the right thing. Continue reading Bad Life Advice I’m Tired Of Hearing

Repost: Does Anyone Know Where I Left My Car Keys?

I’ve been forgetful lately.  I’m talking like, I’ll be in one part of my house, decide that I need something from another room, head to that locale, and as soon as I arrive there, I can no longer recall what I wanted to get.  I know this is a near universal human experience because I’ve had numerous friends, once I’ve told them about this tendency … Continue reading Repost: Does Anyone Know Where I Left My Car Keys?