Category: Relationships

unrecognizable friends gossiping together on street
Relationships, Self-awareness

The Three Areas of Self-Awareness: What On Earth Are You Thinking?

What On Earth Are You Thinking? What is External Self-Awareness? Most people think about self-awareness the same way they do sex. They believe they’re great at it when, in reality, no-one knows where on God’s green earth the G spot is (or that there even is one). One of the major components for building self-awareness is understanding what other people honestly think about us (including our ability … Continue reading The Three Areas of Self-Awareness: What On Earth Are You Thinking?

AP213 Comments
Personal Development, Relationships

Single and ready to mingle at 50

Single and ready to mingle An interrupted delay on my journey to the city center has turned it from a simple journey, into an expedition to the center of the Earth.  “How about instead using the extra time to write a blog post instead of stressing?” I take out my mobile phone and start typing.  I let the words flow, inspired by “Hypnotic Writing” by … Continue reading Single and ready to mingle at 50

People Life Politics And Bullshit23 Comments
man and woman standing on brown field near green tree under white clouds
Gratitude, Relationships

Nurturing Our Roots

There’s a type of tree that’s planted all over Singapore. It’s known as the rain tree because of its iconic umbrella shape. Not only is it incredibly striking to look at, the sprawling canopy provides the perfect respite from the oppressive heat we experience here year-round. It’s planted extensively throughout Singapore for this reason. It has fast become one of my favourite trees. Not just … Continue reading Nurturing Our Roots

AP224 Comments
Creativity, Gratitude, Health and Wellbeing, Inspiration, People and Places, Personal Development, Purpose, Relationships, Self-awareness, Spirituality, Work and Life

I Wish You Well, Omar

A few days ago, I had a Zoom meeting with Omar, my nephew by marriage.  It’s been a while since I last mentioned that I married an Egyptian woman—a truly beautiful person named Azza—a little more than twelve years ago, back when I was living in Cairo, Egypt, and teaching at the American University in Cairo. Omar is Azza’s sister’s son.  He’s in his early … Continue reading I Wish You Well, Omar

Troy Headrick29 Comments
Creativity, Critical Thinking, Gratitude, Health and Wellbeing, Humor, Inspiration, Life Hacks, Literature, Nature, People and Places, Personal Development, Purpose, Random Thoughts, Relationships, Self-awareness, Spirituality, Work and Life

Sharing is Caring

Dear, Readers, I’m speaking for all Wise & Shine writers when I say that we so appreciate your continued support of this blog.  To show how thankful we are, we want to ask you to share a link to your blog or site in the “thoughts” or comments section at the bottom of this page.  Please feel free to include a statement about what inspires … Continue reading Sharing is Caring

Troy Headrick95 Comments
boy standing beside seashore waves
Health and Wellbeing, Relationships

The Joy of Running Around Naked

So my kids have started doing this thing. Every evening before bath time – after we take their clothes off before they get into the tub – they run around the apartment like crazed feral wild cats. Screaming and laughing. Pure unadulterated joy. It got me thinking about the clothes we wear, metaphorically speaking. A kid doesn’t question why we walk around with clothes on … Continue reading The Joy of Running Around Naked

AP239 Comments
Creativity, Critical Thinking, Gratitude, Health and Wellbeing, Humor, Inspiration, Life Hacks, Nature, Personal Development, Purpose, Relationships, Self-awareness, Spirituality, Work and Life

It’s Been Pouring

Most of us are familiar with the old saying, “When it rains, it pours.”  I’ve been thinking a lot about that adage recently because there’s been quite a lot of pouring rain in my life over the past few months. A few weeks ago, I wrote about needing to take a leave of absence from writing for this blog after being diagnosed with a degenerative … Continue reading It’s Been Pouring

Troy Headrick39 Comments
group of people standing inside room
Life Hacks, Relationships

How to Relate Successfully – The Art of Cultivating Human Relationships

The art of cultivating human relationships is so important that it is not surprising that the book of Dale Carnegie, How to win friends and influence people, published a long ago (1936) but still very current, has sold the most copies worldwide. Carnagie’s book needs to be interpreted under the current circumstances, where technology has changed dramatically the way we communicate and we relate to one another. … Continue reading How to Relate Successfully – The Art of Cultivating Human Relationships

crisbiecoach25 Comments
Creativity, Critical Thinking, Gratitude, Health and Wellbeing, Humor, Inspiration, Language, Life Hacks, People and Places, Personal Development, Politics, Purpose, Relationships, Self-awareness, Spirituality, Work and Life

Want to Write for Wise & Shine?

Hi, all.  Wise & Shine is looking for a few new writers.  If you’d like to apply to join the team, send samples of your writing via our “Contact” form.  Please familiarize yourself with the sort of things our blog publishes before contacting us.  We’ll send a set of writing guidelines to those who send examples of their work.  We look forward to reading your … Continue reading Want to Write for Wise & Shine?

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Gratitude, Health and Wellbeing, Personal Development, Relationships, Self-awareness, Spirituality, Work and Life

An Explanation

Dear Wise & Shine Readers: As some of you might have noticed, I’ve been mostly away from the site in recent weeks.  I’m writing to let you know that I’ll be taking a leave of absence from the blog.  I’m suffering from extreme burnout.  Additionally, I was recently diagnosed with an incurable degenerative condition.  I won’t die from this illness, but I will become increasingly … Continue reading An Explanation

Troy Headrick68 Comments
Creativity, Critical Thinking, Health and Wellbeing, Personal Development, Purpose, Relationships, Self-awareness, Spirituality, Work and Life

Let Me Get This off My Chest

I’ve been putting off writing this for weeks, maybe months. I’ve been reluctant to admit that I’m going through a tough period right now.  For the first time in my life, I’ve been having something similar to a “mid-life crisis,” but that’s not it exactly.  I’m not sure there’s a name for what’s been bugging me. You see, even now, I’m beating around the bush.  … Continue reading Let Me Get This off My Chest

Troy Headrick69 Comments
Creativity, Critical Thinking, Gratitude, Health and Wellbeing, Humor, Inspiration, Life Hacks, Literature, Nature, People and Places, Personal Development, Purpose, Random Thoughts, Relationships, Spirituality, Work and Life

Question of the Day (Inspired by the Red-headed Stranger)

I’m currently reading The Tao of Willie:  A Guide to the Happiness in Your Heart, with “Willie” being the great Willie Nelson, musician and songwriter extraordinaire. As you might guess from the title, the book, coauthored by Nelson and Turk Pipkin, elucidates the singer’s philosophy of life, which was strongly influenced by Buddhist and Taoist tenets, and includes lots of autobiographical details. In one of … Continue reading Question of the Day (Inspired by the Red-headed Stranger)

Troy Headrick42 Comments
Creativity, Critical Thinking, Gratitude, Health and Wellbeing, Humor, Inspiration, Language, Life Hacks, Literature, Nature, People and Places, Personal Development, Podcast, Politics, Purpose, Random Thoughts, Relationships, Self-awareness, Spirituality, Work and Life

Wise & Shine Podcasts in 2023

In October of last year, Wise & Shine started a podcast.  In the weeks ahead, we’ll be recording new episodes for your listening pleasure.  Tuesday will be the day we publish new podcasts to the site.  If you haven’t already done so, please have a listen to our recordings from 2022. We are interested in hearing from readers and experts who’d like to be a part … Continue reading Wise & Shine Podcasts in 2023

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Creativity, Critical Thinking, Gratitude, Health and Wellbeing, Inspiration, Language, Life Hacks, People and Places, Personal Development, Podcast, Politics, Purpose, Relationships, Self-awareness, Spirituality, Work and Life

New Podcast:  What Can the World Learn from Africa?

In the latest installment of the Wise & Shine podcast, I talk with Billy Osogo—one of our writers and a brilliant young man who lives in Nairobi, Kenya—about what the world can learn from Africa.  In Billy’s very insightful response, he tells me about “Ubuntu” and a variety of other subjects.  Have a listen and enjoy! Continue reading New Podcast:  What Can the World Learn from Africa?

Troy Headrick5 Comments
Creativity, Critical Thinking, Health and Wellbeing, Inspiration, Life Hacks, Nature, People and Places, Personal Development, Podcast, Purpose, Relationships, Self-awareness, Spirituality

New Podcast:  Soaring Over the Clouds with David!

On Wise & Shine’s newest podcast, I have an entertaining conversation with David (known as “AP2” on this site) about flying airplanes, writing, art, fatherhood, regrets, and other topics.  After listening to our talk, check out David’s  writing, including “Why I Write,” a piece that got 514 likes when it was first published. Continue reading New Podcast:  Soaring Over the Clouds with David!

Troy Headrick7 Comments