Skip to content

Category: Living Well

On Mowing The Lawn

Published on May 11, 2023

I wasn’t able to finish mowing my lawn… again.

While I was out traveling the past several weeks, and while everyone else in my neighborhood was getting in their first mow of the season after a long, cold, and arduous winter—my grass invited over all the neighbor’s weeds, had a party, and got its grow on.

And then, of course, when I committed to getting in my first mow, it rained and cut my mowing time short (pun definitely intended).

Now, my grass is two, and in some areas, three times the size of the mower itself and pushing the damn thing feels like I’m doing weighted sled sprints at the gym.

Part of me is cool with this and mentally adds a tally to the workout column for the day.

But, the other part of me sighs in frustration because I know that this is what happens when you procrastinate.

Getting the job done on a regular mowing day is no problem. Sometimes even therapeutic.

Waiting to get the job done past that ideal mowing day doesn’t just add to the challenge of the mowing… it multiplies the challenge.

And the same is true with so many of the things in life that we’d be much better off doing in regular, well-timed intervals rather than in a singular, herculean interval done once every when I feel like it.

A little bit done often, is oftentimes much more effective than a lotta bit done too late.

Insist On Fresh

Published on May 8, 2023

No day should pass without fresh content for your mind to wrestle with.

And no, I don’t mean social media posts consisting of selfies and superficial intentions. I mean content that’s been carefully observed and documented within the pages of a book, scenes of a documentary, or bites of a podcast—starting, maybe, with the highest rated ones.

There is too much certified fresh content hidden with pages, scenes, and bites that’s just waiting to paint color inside the sometimes graying and dull walls of your mind. Not because we’re graying and dull, but because we prioritize too heavily comfort and oftentimes unknowingly submit to a type of color-draining redundancy.

We must insist on something fresh every day. Whether that comes from new experiences lived or past experiences shared carefully from others. Otherwise, gray becomes our reality.

P.s. I share fresh insights daily from the pages, scenes, and bites that I consume. To read those, you can bookmark and check-in regularly with this page.

Spoken Passion

Published on May 6, 2023

What’s something you could speak passionately about without needing to prep?

Could that become something you write passionately about without needing to prep?

The thing about the latter is that it multiplies the strength of the former—they are not the same process.

Writing is talking typed… then edited.

And the thing about spoken passion—that has also undergone a careful process of editing—is that there is essentially no more powerful tool for influencing a socially interdependent society.

Want to make a difference in the world? Your world? Start here. With where your deep-seated passions already lie. And slowly iterate your way to a clear and unquestionable conviction that you would be thrilled to share.

Little Big Things

Published on April 27, 2023

I see you…

  • Person who smiles when you could’ve chosen to frown.
  • Person who lets people in the lane when you could’ve chosen to cut them off.
  • Person who pays a compliment to a random stranger when you could’ve carried on and pretended like they didn’t exist.

You might not think you’re seen… but you are. Maybe nothing is said, no acknowledgment is paid, and maybe some things are done when none of us are looking… but have no mistake—goodness gets seen.

And while I (we) couldn’t say thanks in the moment for doing your part to improve our world—for whatever reason…

I’d (we’d) like to do so now.

Because it’s the people like you, doing the little things like that, who make big differences in the little lives of those living on this big planet.

Thank you.

P.s. If someone came to mind for you when you read this, forward it to or share it with them. There is no greater feeling than that of feeling seen.

Don’t Force The Pen

Published on April 19, 2023

Oftentimes, my best writing comes from situations when I’m not thinking about writing (or what to write) at all.

I just open myself up to new experiences, new people, new perspectives, etc… and let curiosity guide the pen across my mind.

Inner work prompt: How long have you been following the same general routine? When was the last time you were uncharacteristically spontaneous? Can you do or plan something now?

Recognizing the Dream in the Moment

Published on April 16, 2023

“I dream of days like this…”

…Was said to me by an older gentlemen I play basketball with.

It was the first outdoor game of the season. It was sunny, seventy, calm (no wind)—and filled with the type of meditative chaos that 15 guys playing basketball would bring.

And it wasn’t until he said it that I realized… I, too, was in the midst of a moment that I dreamed of during the long, depressing, wintry-mix months that dominate Buffalo weather.

And all-of-a-sudden, I started receiving the day from a whole new perspective.

P.s. In case you missed it, you can read the best of what I posted to MoveMe Quotes last week, here.

Salsa

Published on April 15, 2023

When you’re out to eat at a Mexican restaurant and the casual dinner vibe unexpectedly transitions into an upbeat dancing vibe—fully equipped with a live DJ and Salsa dance instructor—you squeeze the juice out of that moment and get up and take the Salsa dancing class.

P.s. And if you can’t get yourself to dance… reflecting on why is a great inner work prompt.