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Category: Archives

The full collection of explorations.

Know A Talker?

Published on June 24, 2025

I was reading an inner work reflection from a chronic talker.

She was saying that she’s the type who, if you let her, would talk your ear off all day.

But, after some careful inner work, what she realized is that a conversation in which people are talking, but not listening, is not really a conversation. And as much as she liked to talk, what she really wanted to do was connect.

…Which I think is why any of us talk.

It’s the following specific examples she gave that I thought were most interesting. She said:

  • She talks about what she does because she craves appreciation and admiration—and she wants to inspire someone.
  • She talks about what’s on her mind because she wants to know that she’s not alone—and wants to feel accepted and validated.
  • She talks about what she knows because she wants to show that she has something to offer.

Talking for her is asking for attention, praise, acceptance, and love.

But, as mentioned at the beginning, talking isn’t always the way there.

What’s needed is listening. What’s needed is care. What’s needed is compassion.

I share this today for two reasons. One, so that you might better understand the talkers in your life and look more mindfully for ways to connect vs just converse with them. And two, so that you might reflect on your own need to talk and question the “why” behind it. Is saying what you want to say going to help you achieve what it is you’re really after? Or is it actually just an empty effort that’ll lead you astray?

On Being A Connection Facilitator

Published on June 23, 2025

A buddy of mine said to me, “Yeah, I’m going to have to plan another get together… because if I don’t do it then it won’t happen.”

…And isn’t this the truth for so many of us in life?

Unless, of course, you’re one of the lucky ones who has a “connection facilitator” in your life that does the inviting, planning, organizing, messaging, and hosting.

Which is essentially what I said back to this buddy of mine: They’re lucky to have you.

Because it takes courage and work and time to facilitate a successful gathering—even if it’s with good friends.

And if you’re one of the rare ones who’s doing this on a regular basis, and is swimming up against the societal norms of digital “connection” and screen time interactions—and is facilitating IRL meet ups and get togethers—thank you.

…You’re doing more for your community than you might ever truly know.

And if you’re not… an inner work prompt to reflect on is… what’s stopping you from becoming one?

Day 2,000

Published on June 22, 2025

Today marks 2,000 days of daily writing.

And in each of those days… with only few exceptions… the daily writing was one of the—if not the—most important parts of my day. It’s ranked right up there with exercise, reading, building, and serving…

And nothing, not any of the above mentioned items or anything otherwise, has helped me grow as a person more than these daily reflective pieces. Especially when I think in terms of mental clarity, self awareness, emotional intelligence, general council, and public speaking…

The fact that these pieces have maybe helped others along the way is a bonus.

2,000 days ago, I decided simply to share my thoughts on a quote. And I did so again the next day. And the day after that. And each day, I renewed this simple decision with the intent of doing inward exploration and packaging it in a way that might serve others. And slowly, it evolved into what it is today.

My offering for you today, on this landmark day for me, is a simple one: invest in yourself daily. Simple is better than complex. Direction is more important than speed. And inner work should be prioritize over outward consumption. Package it in a way that serves others only as a bonus and as a secondary intent. And fight like hell to keep the streak alive.

…Because what you’re really fighting to keep alive: is the prospect of realizing the greatest version of yourself. Which only is and only ever has been realized one day forward at a time.

Life “Problems”

Published on June 22, 2025

Nothing will give life “problems” perspective like hearing a good friend with Stage 4 cancer—eyes swollen with tears—say, “I am just so thankful for each day…”

I hope this is never something you have to hear.

But, if you imagine you did, like I did, you might leave this short reading with a life perspective that’s costing somebody else the threat of their life to gain.

…And all you need to do is shut up the noise… and really hear.

Interrupt Annoying Thinking

Published on June 20, 2025

Sitting down to write today, I stared at my screen for around thirty minutes.

…Not a single word typed.

My mind wandered… thinking of people, chores, tasks… and seemed to keep coming back to a task I was dreading that I’d have to do later in the day.

Thirty minutes of thinking about it was enough.

So I reminded myself that, if I wanted to have different, higher quality outputs (in thinking), I needed to interrupt that pattern with new, fresh inputs.

So I read through a few pages of a few books and finished a few thought provoking emails…

And no sooner than when I read those last few words, the idea for this post popped to mind.

Sick of an output? Change the inputs.

Buy For Time Instead

Published on June 19, 2025

Many people like to express their wealth in space—by buying large houses with gigantic rooms on huge plots of land.

But space without time is wasteful.

Real wealth is expressed in time—by having freedom over your calendar to spend large chunks of time doing as you please (in the space you’ve afforded).

Before you buy space… and negatively effect your available time (larger overhead, more maintenance, excessive fees, etc)… maybe you should find ways to buy for time instead.

Sitting First Class Daily

Published on June 18, 2025

People will pay thousands and thousands of dollars for a comfortable seat in an airplane. And, generally speaking, will cherish every moment of it when they think about what they might’ve had to sit in in comparison.

What if you could channel that same appreciation when you sit in a comfortable seat in your house or at work? Generally speaking, the seats you sit in daily are probably more comfortable than even the nicest ones on some airlines…

Appreciation is an attitude. It’s a mindset. It’s a perspective. And you don’t have to pay thousands and thousands of dollars to obtain it. Generally speaking, all you need to do is… change your mind.