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Category: Living Well

Pockets Of Heaven

Published on July 1, 2025

I’m in Bosnia on vacation.

It’s a beautiful country with gorgeous scenery, friendly people, and a culturally relaxed vibe—especially in comparison to my New York, USA, hometown.

In fact, one of the first distinct differences I noticed was how easy it was to just sit down and not do anything… for hours.

It has happened several times already (and it has only been two days) where I’ve just sat on a porch, sat at a café, sat by the water… and did nothing for hours on end.

When you can find little pockets of complete presence and contentment like that, it can feel like pockets of heaven.

But one of the reasons I think I’ve been able to appreciate it as much as I have is because of the full time commitment I’ve devoted to my work.

I’m sure it’s possible to have a lifestyle complete with presence and contentment, maybe that’s even what enlightenment is… but I don’t think it’s plausible to expect to have pockets of one without the other and pockets of the other without the one.

In other words: wherever you are, be there.

Don’t wish for a work-free life, but don’t live a work-only life either. Appreciate work in full and appreciate (and work hard to create) heaven-like moments in full.

Pockets of work are what make pockets of heaven—heavenly.

…Without it, they just become an expected norm.

On Changing Everything All At Once

Published on June 27, 2025

One of my martial arts students tested for her first belt tonight.

At the end, I asked her what she wanted to improve in her life as an accompanying challenge with the new rank.

She said, “I need to improve my Work/Life Balance, I’d like to work on my strength, …” and before she could list anything else I stopped her.

“Just one thing.” I told her.

And so we talked about work/life balance.

We made a specific plan that had a singular focus to it.

And she’s going to work the plan for the next three months up until her next belt test.

Then—and only then—after she tests for her next belt, will we discuss the next “just one thing.” And only if, of course, this current challenge has been successfully completed.

Regardless of whether or not you’re a martial artist, you should try following a similar protocol.

As much as we want to improve everything at once, just one thing at a time is how anything is ever really changed.

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.

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.

My Toilet Is Broken

Published on June 17, 2025

Speaking of gratitude, my toilet is broken.

It won’t stop running and YouTube wasn’t helping, so I’m manually opening and closing the stop valve after each use—which is now leaking when open—and my plumber won’t be here until Friday.

It’s incredible how much we can get used to modern miracles and how removed they can get from our consciousness day-in and day-out.

Like, I can’t tell you the last time I stopped and felt gratitude for having a working toilet.

Imagine how different the day might be if we were able to notice and actually appreciate even 10% of the modern miracles we’ve unknowingly been taking for granted?

…Imagine how different the day might be if that percent jumped to 20? Or 30?

Imagine if you replaced 10-30% of your anxious or worrisome thoughts with gratitude and presence instead…

Might be worth trying to do throughout this very day.

Don’t Take These Two Things For Granted…

Published on June 17, 2025

I experienced a powerful moment of gratitude today after having spoken to two parents in the martial arts school I teach at.

One of them was telling me that after finally getting his medications correct, he was able to take a deep breath for the first time in about a month and a half.

…A month and a half.

And another one, who was sitting next to him, was telling me about her foot surgery and how her plans of halving the estimated recovery time, was actually looking more like it was going to be double what was estimated… and that, after getting her other foot done, she wouldn’t be able to walk normally again until around summer next year.

…Summer next year.

We’re talking about breathing and walking here.

Two things I know I take for granted more than I’d like to admit.

But, at least in that moment and maybe this one right now, I didn’t.

I walked a little more mindfully and took a deliberate and fulfilling couple of deep breaths.

…Something maybe you can try and do throughout your day today, too.