38th & Chicago
This month marks the second anniversary of George Floyd’s murder in May 2020. In October of that year, I visited the place where it happened. Here is a re-post of what I experienced there. Continue reading 38th & Chicago
Where We Are Meant To Be
We’re all looking for that Goldilocks position in life. That ultimate purpose specifically suited to our own unique talents and values. Of course, we want to maximise our potential to do the most possible good. This is why many of us have this gnawing sense that the job we’re in isn’t quite right. We feel like we are meant for something else, something more. I … Continue reading Where We Are Meant To Be
Dismantling Fences
There is an old saying which states that “fences make good neighbours.” Although this may seem a logical way to deal with conflicts that invariably arise due to the human condition, it is a shortsighted solution. Of more importance, building fences–even mending fences–leaves us subject to judgmental behaviour that ignores our shared oneness. Relying on the fluctuating mentality of the masses only serves to separate … Continue reading Dismantling Fences
MAY UBUNTU FIND YOU!
The world looks and feels like one nasty crime scene right now! From the carnage in Ukraine; the famine in Africa; the mass shootings in the US; the brutal murders in Palestine; and everything in between! There’s so much pain and suffering. Such negative energy injected and swirling all around the globe. The most worrying part is that energy is contagious! It knows no bounds. … Continue reading MAY UBUNTU FIND YOU!
Ikigai: the Search for Meaning
The search for meaning is inherent in the human being. In Japan there is even a specific word to define the importance of having a purpose in life: Ikigai. The Ikigai refers to the individual motivation, the one that makes us get out of bed every morning and that gives us the joy of living. There is no direct English translation. Ikigai does not need to … Continue reading Ikigai: the Search for Meaning
Sacred Places
I spent a good portion of this past Saturday helping my wife with her small business. She is a master baker and makes a variety of Mediterranean breads and desserts. Her goodies are artisanal and high-end. She sells them each Saturday at a farmer’s market located in Boerne, Texas, a town with a large German-speaking population and a place where people have money. About noon, … Continue reading Sacred Places
Most important week of my life so far
Hello! This is me in the picture. It is from this Wednesday. I had three graduation ceremonies and one celebration this way. I am finally no longer a student (ever in my life, probably), ever since I started school. I had a crazy week. I am moving for work soon, so I went apartment-hunting last weekend and this early week (hence the lack of a … Continue reading Most important week of my life so far
The Value of Acceptance: Saying ‘Yes to Life: In Spite of Everything’
A review of Victor Frankl’s ‘Yes to Life: In Spite of Everything’ Continue reading The Value of Acceptance: Saying ‘Yes to Life: In Spite of Everything’
The Happy Mistake: God Taking Care Of Us Or Dumb Luck?
Happy Mistakes. Those rare times when something goes technically wrong but turns out better than the originally anticipated outcome. Who or what is responsible for this phenomenon? Continue reading The Happy Mistake: God Taking Care Of Us Or Dumb Luck?
A Creative Leave of Absence
So my muse decided to take a holiday recently. He packed his bags and went to Hawaii or somewhere. And I know he’s been sitting in the sun drinking Pina Coladas the whole time. That smug bastard. Now, I should say I told him to take a break. The problem is, I’ve found it hard to get back into the flow of things. It turns … Continue reading A Creative Leave of Absence
Service…With a Smile
Guilty–as charged! Yes, the title of this article is cliché, but there’s good news: the content isn’t. As you may have guessed, the content relates to service–the real kind; not the smarmy “have-a-nice-day” (insert roll of the eyes) kind. On a deeper level, service can be interpreted as Purpose, with a capital P. Through wisdom, we learn that Being, Life, and Purpose are all so interdependently woven that one thread cannot be withdrawn … Continue reading Service…With a Smile
Trying To Get Organized
There are people, and you’ve likely met some of them, hell, some of you may even be some of them, who are, and there’s simply no polite way of saying it, organized. You know the type. The types who always take out the correct recycling on the right night. Who never misplace their car keys or ATM cards or young children. And these people, when … Continue reading Trying To Get Organized
How to Find Your Inner Motivation at Work
“How’s at work?” it is a question that is often asked to us by our loved ones and when we answer, we probably think about the difficulties we face or the discomfort/distress we feel towards our work. If this is your case, don’t worry because you are not alone. The work environment has changed a lot in recent years and has become a source of … Continue reading How to Find Your Inner Motivation at Work
The Artist
I believe that we all yearn to create. To nourish our unique gifts and bring something new and authentic into the world. This is how we affirm our identity and find meaning in the world. The role of the artist is to show us the way, and point towards the vast possibilities that are available to us. Great art can reignite our imaginations and awaken … Continue reading The Artist
Remembering The Bison & Confronting Our Hateful Past
The only reason I stopped at that particular gas station was because they had a giant, brightly painted wood sculpture of a squirrel (or maybe it was a groundhog) all dressed up in backpacking gear, out front. You could see it from the highway. My usual instinct when I need gas is to keep driving and fill up later, playing chicken with an empty gas … Continue reading Remembering The Bison & Confronting Our Hateful Past
“Right,” Where I Am
Strange; this life can feel so strange. We are born into an environment that seems to compel us to reach and continue to reach. As children, we learn the rules early: kindergarten is meant to lead to Grade 1, Grade 2, and so on. We are taught, explicitly and implicitly, that we should strive, reach, become more, and make something of ourselves. And to that … Continue reading “Right,” Where I Am
Fear of Imperfection, AKA Atelophobia
The etymology of “atelophobia” comes from the Greek atelophobia, a word composed of atelés (meaning imperfect, incomplete) and phóbos (or fear, phobia) and it means fear of imperfection. A large number of people suffer from atelophobia, a constant feeling of imperfection and inadequacy. Discontent with one’s own aesthetic appearance, search for a perfection that does not exist, fear of never being up to it. For … Continue reading Fear of Imperfection, AKA Atelophobia
Pardon Me While I Ramble
I’m a busy guy. I manage two writing centers at a community college in San Antonio, Texas, USA. That takes fifty hours per week. My wife has a business that I help with. I take care of her purchasing, public relations, and I occasionally assist her with sales. On top of all that, I write, make art, and engage in my own entrepreneurial activities. As … Continue reading Pardon Me While I Ramble
Hope
Hello there! How are you doing today? How was the week? I had a relaxing week. This is the last calm week before the storm so I am trying to make the most of it. Here is the question for today: If you were to to explain what keeps us together and helps us going in one word, what would that word be? I would … Continue reading Hope
On the Duality of Life
Emerging through hardship Continue reading On the Duality of Life