In 2018, during my trip in South America, I visited one of La Paz’s bustling food markets. I was told that I should try Pan America’s pizza when I reach Copacabana. This tip came from fellow travelers I connected with in La Paz, a city nestled at staggering altitudes between 10,650 and 13,250 feet (3,250 and 4,100 meters) above sea level, making it the world’s … Continue reading Change of life through community work
The story of high school pep band and lack of adult supervision. Continue reading Judge Me, Judge Me Not – Part 2
I don’t like cars. That may be an unpopular opinion in car-centric America, but I don’t care. I don’t find them interesting at all. Continue reading Bye-Bye Blueboy
Ally was doing well. She hadn’t had much experience behind the wheel yet, other than the parking lot sessions we’d had fun with before she’d officially gotten her learner’s permit. But this was the real thing. Continue reading Learner’s Permit
One of my contacts on Linkedin asked me for three adjectives defining perfect team-building. According to my previous experience with HR, I came out with adjectives that I think are keys to effective team building: collaborative, inclusive, and engaging. I believe that these elements can shape a cohesive and high-performing team that propels a team toward success. An exceptional team requires more than just assembling … Continue reading The Art of Effective Team-Building for Success
It may not compete with a Hallmark Christmas movie, but here are some pics from what has been a busy and fun holiday season so far. Best of Season I was visiting my daughter in Baltimore where we came across this very unique, and for some reason, compelling Nativity scene. I think it’s the coolest thing I’ve seen so far this holiday season. Favorite Christmas … Continue reading My Holiday Season Photo Journal
It’s that time of year again when people think about the new year and how they’d like to make changes in their lives going forward. We often refer to these proposed life modifications as “new year’s resolutions.” The other day, while stepping out of the shower, the idea hit me—insights come as flashes of insight and often at the strangest times—that the way we verbalize … Continue reading Repost: The Importance of Language When Making New Year’s Resolutions
As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect, refocus, and set the stage for a successful year ahead. In this blog post, I’ll share three tried-and-tested exercises that will help you review the past year and pave the way for a more purposeful and productive future. Exercise 1: The 90-Day Plan This exercise is based on a simple observation: it … Continue reading 3 Exercises for a Powerful End-of-Year Review
A Quick Update It’s been a hectic time in my life. As some of you know, I got offered a job in and out of Fiji. In preparation for this job, I spent the last few months reminding myself how to fly an aeroplane. That included returning to Hong Kong for a simulator check to renew my license. What was the result of all this hard work? Well, … Continue reading I Took a Break From Writing and I Didn’t Miss It
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
In the lively rhythm of office life, a simple yet profound statement on a poster caught my eye recently: “I am not bossy; I just have better ideas.” Initially, it put a smile on my face, but as I pondered, it led me to a deeper reflection on the dynamics between managers and natural-born leaders, that is the distinction between management and leadership. While the … Continue reading Leadership Beyond Management: A Reflection on True Leadership
My family’s musical project to help the unhoused both at home and in Hawaii. Continue reading Holiday Homelessness
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
In the ever-evolving world of modern workplaces, the quest for enhanced employee engagement and productivity is a constant pursuit. One innovative solution gaining momentum is the integration of creative workspaces inspired by art. Beyond mere aesthetics, the infusion of artistic elements into the work environment has shown remarkable potential in fostering a more vibrant and dynamic workplace culture. The Power of Art in Workspaces Art … Continue reading Why Displaying Artwork Boosts Employee Engagement and Productivity
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
This is an interview with Hanne Kristin Rohde, the former police chief of Oslo. She worked in the police for 25 years, the first 5 years as a police prosecutor, and the last 20 years as a manager. In 11 of these years at the senior management level; from 2008-2014 as police inspector and head of the Section for violent and sexual crimes in Oslo Police District. Continue reading A life of great variety
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
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
Animals along the roadside are especially unpredictable at this time of year, but there are things we can do to be more aware of them. Continue reading 3 Ways To Reduce Roadkill
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
