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Category: Living Well

Look Good, Feel Good?

Published on April 30, 2026

I’ll never forget when somebody criticized a high school friend of mine on her desire to “look good” before playing in soccer games. The criticism being around the idea that she’s going to play a sport and get dirty and sweaty and messy anyway… so why do all of that extra “look good” work before the practices and games?

She replied simply, “When I look good, I feel good. And when I feel good, I play better.”

And it really does play out like that.

When we’re feeling our outfit… we’re also feeling more confident… and our actions reflect that versus what we might’ve done if we were feeling self-conscious and awkward. And better actions, of course, lead to better results and outcomes.

I recognize a similar correlation when it comes to martial arts. The students who take the time to get their uniform right and look sharp also tend to be the students with the sharper technique. And the ones who arrive disheveled, tend to have sloppier technique.

The reminder today is simple: invest a little more time, energy, and/or effort into feeling good. Whether that’s in your appearance, your fit, your workspace, your room, your wellness routine… it’s all correlated. And by investing into the one… you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised to find some positive returns in the other aspects of your life as well.

Cushy Couches and iPhone Games

Published on April 27, 2026

Another takeaway from the live Imani Perry talk I attended this past Thursday: she said, “Most modern day people have just enough means to entertain themselves away from truth.”

Truth, of course, being the reality of the world.

…And how it’s not cushy couches and meaningless iPhone games.

…But, how it’s war and crime and hate.

It’s not only that, of course—there is so much of the opposite in the world. But, it’s undeniably present in our shared reality.

And the point she was getting to shortly after she shared the above quote is that, if we’re not acting in a way that stands up to the war and crime and hate… then we’re a part of the problem. And if we “entertain ourselves” into ignorance… then we’re a part of the problem. If we stand up, speak out, and act in ways that lead to peace and justice and love… then we’re a part of the solution.

…And what we need now more than ever are people who are a part of the solution.

Two Life Goals I Hadn’t Heard Before

Published on April 26, 2026

I got to train with a Muy Thai Master this weekend.

And at the end of our three hour session, he started speaking about health and wellness and how he wants to live to be a centenarian.

…But not if that meant having a low quality of life where he’s bedridden, lonely, and miserable.

His two very distinct and unique goals he set for himself—that he has attached to this goal of becoming a centenarian are: (1) That he’s able to bend over and pick up his grandkids and (2) That he’s able to walk independently on uneven surfaces.

And so he’s reverse engineering his lifestyle to prepare him for those two goals as he gets older. Which includes a wide array of thoughtful and deliberate strategies that he’s integrated into his lifestyle as protocols that he follows religously.

…And I just couldn’t help but think how refreshing those goals were in a sea of wished for yachts and added zeros.

Don’t Hoard Your Fruit

Published on April 23, 2026

What are you working so hard for?

…Is it for your family? Is it for fancy cars and clothes? Is it for travel and entertainment?

Here’s the thing: once you answer this question honestly… it’s important to recognize the “ends” even while you’re in the midst of your “means.”

In other words, if you’re working so hard for your family, then recognize the moments you have with them—when you’re not working—for what they are: the fruits of your labor.

And the same is true when you’re traveling or relaxing or making an exciting purchase… recognize it as the fruit. Don’t let “labor” contaminate its taste. Savor the bites along the way.

And keep a healthy regiment of enjoying your fruit regularly.

Fruit goes bad when it’s left unattended for too long. And eating a mountain of fruit later in life isn’t nearly as good as enjoying your fruit each day along the way.

Reality Based Testing

Published on April 22, 2026

I came across a sale to learn a new language for 60% off.

For $239, I could learn a whole new language and have lifetime access to the lessons.

A pretty killer deal if you ask me.

But, I didn’t buy it yet.

I’m reality testing my actual commitment level by creating a space for free language learning first.

It has ads and I assume it isn’t as good as the paid option.

…But, that isn’t the point.

The point is I’ve bought similar courses in the past and never finished them.

Because while it sounded great in my head, I never reality tested it to gauge my actual commitment level.

Before you take the plunge and commit to a full on sprint: create a space. Establish a bit of a pace. Test it against your reality. See if you can make adjustments on the hard days. See if it eventually sticks. Then… double down on your investment.

Cleaning Party

Published on April 21, 2026

I was out at a music show dancing not too long ago when out of the sea of people in front of me, a person with a bucket in one hand danced towards me and pointed to a crushed bottle on the ground.

Confused at first, but quickly putting the pieces together, I picked up the crushed bottle and tossed it into the bucket.

…A giant dance party ensued.

Little did I know, the person carrying the bucket was working for the event and had six others trailing behind them who were trying to encourage participants to clean up and help keep the space clean.

And what an efficient, fun, and aligned strategy that was.

All seven workers would circle and dance and hype up whoever helped clean and turned the space into an immediate mini-party. They even gave me a giant blue cape with the music show logo on it as a gift. And I flew to a bunch of others and continued the vide: I mysteriously pointed towards random crushed bottles on the ground, the bucket, and continued the dance party whenever somebody obliged.

Sure, you could just send workers around with buckets and garbage claws. And you can hope they don’t complain and look miserable while they clean.

Or you can get creative in your approach and find a better way… a more fun way… a more aligned way.

Heard And Seen [Poem]

Published on April 20, 2026

Quick to believe in forever

Slow to enter the here and now

Faith in some day in the future

Fill today with delay, delay, delay

Plenty of time for hopes, dreams, and wishes

Let action get eaten by screens

Want to look back and smile?

Make today feel heard and seen.