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Month: August 2025

Gone To Burning Man!

Published on August 24, 2025

From Saturday (8/23/25) to Tuesday (9/2/25), I’ll be off grid.

That means, you won’t get daily emails from me until I get back on grid on Wednesday (9/3/25)-ish.

Rest assured, I’ll still be writing daily—it’ll just take on a more primitive form.

And when I get back, I’ll share what words got stirred up during what I’m expecting to be a wild, curious, mysterious, serendipitous, and nothing-short-of-inspirational week.

Don’t know what Burning Man is? I can barely explain it. But, this video does a pretty solid job.

Thank you to each of you for your ongoing support. I look forward to reconnecting when I get back. ♥

P.s. If you’re feeling generous, you can send a little love via coffee here. This trip will definitely require copious amounts of caffeine. Cheers 🙂

The Secret To A Rich And Filling Life

Published on August 23, 2025

The secret, I think, to a rich and filling life… are rich and filling moments.

…Moments that are made rich and full with an unwavering devotion to the present, what’s real, and what’s right in front of our face.

The idea is as simple, yet as hard as it gets:

When sitting… just sit… be with yourself… resist the urge to chronically be doing something.

When walking… just walk… be immersed in all of the worldly elements.

When talking… just talk… be completely and totally consumed with the words.

When eating… just eat… be mindful of the experience as a whole and savor each bite.

When dancing… just dance… surrender to the pull of your soul… without fear and as un-self-consciously as you’re able.

When working… just work… do the damn thing with as much excellence as you can manage.

…And as much as you can: minimize and subtract all that distracts you.

It’s far too easy to never be where you are.

…Which, I’d say, is the antithesis of the rich and filling life.

Stop Making Little Things Big

Published on August 22, 2025

Know what’s a little thing?

…That argument you’re having with your family member.

Know what’s a big thing?

…That both you and your family member are alive and healthy enough to argue.

Know what’s a little thing?

…The “L” you took at work, in sport, or anywhere otherwise.

Know what’s a big thing?

…That you’re conscious, coherent, and have the ability to improve.

Know what’s a small thing?

…Haters saying hateful things online or in person.

Know what’s a big thing?

…Gratitude expressed, grace given, and love felt.

It’s easy to let the small things take over your perspective. Which is, in fact, what makes them feel so big. But we have to remember what’s REALLY the big thing(s) and worth taking over our perspective.

Otherwise, small things will consume our lives until it’s too late to do anything about the big things…

Arguing For Yourself

Published on August 20, 2025

Exercising with your child present is not the same as exercising alone—even if it’s the same workout.

Going for a walk with an acquaintance is not the same as going for a walk alone—even if it’s the same distance.

Working at home is not the same as working in an office—even if the same amount of work gets done.

An argument can be made in either direction for any of the above mentioned sides.

What’s worth considering, however, is which side makes the most sense for you and your life… and then arguing for it.

Which sounds obvious, but I assure you, is something most of us don’t do.

…Because if exercising with your child present is consuming any of your alone time and making you emotionally exhausted… you should argue for the opposite.

And if walking with somebody who chronically complains is messing up your outdoor recharge time… you should argue for the opposite.

And if working at home is messing with your ability to compartmentalize work vs life balance… then you should argue for the opposite.

…And the same is true for the inverse of each of the above.

The point isn’t to say any one side is better than the other… it’s to remind you that if you don’t argue for what’s best in your life… who will?

Never Underestimate The Power Of Full Spirited Coaching Moments

Published on August 19, 2025

A friend called me tonight and was telling me how he felt weird being thanked for big changes he made in people’s lives… from what felt like small moments of coaching he had with them.

He said it really didn’t feel like much at all for him to stay after a martial arts class and work with people for a few moments here and there…

…And for them to come to him later on—weeks, months, or even years later—and tell him how much of an impact it made on them felt—disproportional.

But, what I told him is that it isn’t the length of the moment that makes the impact on students…

…It’s the depth of energy and attention that’s brought into those moments.

Because there’s a distinct difference between a long, half-hearted effort and a short, full life-force one.

…All it takes is a one degree difference in a plane’s trajectory to have it land in an entirely different country given enough time.

…And the same is true in this example.

We’re not changing people’s lives in the coaching moments themselves—but we ARE changing their direction (or at least that’s the goal). And then they’re changing their lives by following that slightly altered path given enough time. And THIS is the way any real change in other people’s lives is done.

When the student is ready—the teacher arrives…

And when the teacher is ready (to fully commit)—THAT is how and why a student thrives.

P.s. I wrote a 30-day guide that’ll help you build unshakable confidence in your life’s direction. Deets here.

Soft-Spoken Leadership?

Published on August 18, 2025

I invited a young martial arts student of mine onto my school’s Leadership Team tonight.

…And yet she is one of the most soft-spoken students in the entire school.

She doesn’t project her voice or speak with conviction… she doesn’t try to claim the spotlight or do things that give off “main character” energy… and she definitely doesn’t cause a ruckus or make sweeping impacts on the vibe of an entire class…

And some of you might be confused by this… because isn’t that what leaders do?

But, I learned long ago that leadership is influence, nothing more and nothing less.

And what I’ve noticed is that she’s always on top of her curriculum… and people tend to go to her for help… and she’s one of the first people I go to when I need help helping another student… she comes in early and stays late… she’s selfless and takes above and beyond initiatives to help her family, our school, and even other charities… and she always influences the class with a warm, focused, committed energy that may not sweep up every student… but definitely impacts a few each time.

My intention sharing this with you today is to remind you that leadership doesn’t always have to look like what you might see at the top of our local, regional, and national social hierarchies. Leadership is influence. And if there are people around you who are influencing others to act in a way that you (or your organization) would love to have them act… maybe you should consider acknowledging that person, too.

What Fun Costs

Published on August 17, 2025

I went to, what I estimated to be, a multi-million dollar nighttime light display event at my local zoo today.

…And what did the other person, child, and I spend the sweeping majority of our time interacting with the most?

…A puddle of water, a light up floor, and a swing.

Sure, the multi-million dollar event itself made for an incredible experience, offered awesome scenery, and gave all of us plenty to talk about.

…But, don’t think that the multi-million dollar budget was (or ever is) necessary for fun and entertainment.

A little imagination, or maybe more appropriately said—zoo-magination—is (and always will be) all that’s ever truly necessary.