• Share Messy, Not Perfect

    It’s hard to share with others. In particular, things we care about or have put effort into. Not the weather, but something you’re passionate about. Yet involving others creates the best results and is the most rewarding. Social media bloomed as I grew up. And I’d have the most outrageous AIM away messages when I…

  • Be Big in Small Roles

    You’ve been to someone else’s thing. A wedding, housewarming, shower, or another event for someone. One where you’re there, but someone else is calling the shots. I’m breaking it to you, star; you’ve played the supporting role. And it’s hard. Every day, we do things our way and call our shots. But occasionally, we give…

  • Why Mass Shootings and Violent Acts

    Mass shootings are everywhere – eleven a week in mid-May 2022, a 10% increase from the previous year. I make a concerted effort to avoid news media; no thank you to the anxiety. But I see these tragedies – Buffalo, Uvalde, and America’s Independence Day from fireworks to gunshots. The victims of these acts and…

  • Fear but Opportunity

    Fear is insidious, both for what it causes us to do and avoid. It’s easier to recognize fear-driven actions. For example, fear of extremist groups and terrorism drove the U.S.A.’s Muslim Ban. It’s more difficult to realize what we don’t do because of fear—for example, not asking for a raise because it may be denied…

  • Pride and Prejustice

    38% of U.S adults are ‘extremely proud’ to be American, which increases to 65% when including very proud. From 2002-2004, U.S. adults were ~70% extremely proud and 90% extremely/very proud. Pride in who Americans are is decreasing. Happy Independence Day? Now, that increases to 87% when including 22% of moderately proud folks. So, I’m going…

  • Weakends

    Weekends are a fan favorite. Time for ourselves, hooray. It’s what we look forward to, how we get through Mondays and humpdays – the weekend glistening on the horizon. And I’m obsessed with weekends. Not because I anticipate them for freedom of my time, I love weekdays, but because I’m obsessed with how to spend…

  • Identity of Choice

    When a decision arises, we’ve already chosen. I’m not preaching fatalism. Instead, I’m saying we make choices ahead of the moment of choosing. Let’s make that concrete. You’re taking an exam. You’re in the room hearing pencils scribble, pages turn, and a chronic cough is coming from a far corner. As you examine the multiple-choice…