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Category: Thinking Clearly

Life Is Always Fresh

Published on July 16, 2026

What if you started believing that repetition didn’t exist?

Even in—especially in—the moments that seem to repeat themselves day-in and day-out.

Are you waking up again to the same alarm, at the same time, in the same way again? …Or is something different? …Have some things evolved? …Have some things regressed?

Are you seeing the same people at the same times and in the same ways again? …Or are they different? …Has your connection evolved? …Has it regressed?

Are you perceiving your world in the same ways at the same times and in the same ways? …Or it just because your perception is boring? …Or maybe it’s fatigued? …Or maybe it’s lazy?

The thing is: repetition doesn’t exist.

Life is always fresh.

We never step into the same river of reality twice. Both the river and us—the stepper—are constantly changing. Evolving. Regressing. Learning. Unlearning. Absorbing. Releasing. Crashing. Flowing…

The reality is we stop investing into the freshness of our perception so, of course, it goes bad. Spend a little time looking closer, however, and you might start to see that the changes aren’t even tiny… but are profound.

Sometimes The Simplest Moments Hold The Most Profound Truths

Published on July 15, 2026

Like that moment when your serious and grave focus at work gets interrupted for something completely goofy and ridiculous… like a child running into your office with flower sunglasses on, a lay around his neck, his shirt off, no shoes, all while laughing hysterically as he tries to escape from mom.

…It ain’t that deep.

Or that moment when you do something completely goofy and ridiculous… like get out of your car and dance foolishly in a parking lot with music blasting because the song that came on is too good not to.. and the person you’re with gives you the same goofy and ridiculous energy back.

…Surround yourself with people who make being you easy.

Or that moment when you sit down to relax after doing something really hard… like show up to the gym or your workout class after an already long and challenging day and still giving it your best effort even though you felt like getting into the car itself required more energy than you had… and feeling accomplished and proud and completely content in doing so.

…Nothing worthwhile comes easily.

What are some simple moments from your recent days and what might those profound truths be for you?

The End Or The Way?

Published on July 12, 2026

I wanted to watch a fight on tv tonight.

…But I didn’t have the right subscription.

…What a great opportunity to reach out to friends to see if they wanted to watch it together at a local spot or house that had the right subscription.

Are the obstacles in your path the end of that journey? …Or are the obstacles in your path actually the way?

Getting Triggered Is An Invitation

Published on July 9, 2026

If I comment on something 100% of you knows isn’t true… it won’t affect you.

“Your green skin is ugly.”

“Your shoulders are stupid.”

“Your grass is lame.”

If I comment on something you haven’t fully worked through… it may trigger you.

“You’re ugly.”

“You’re stupid.”

“You’re lame.”

Inner work allows you to explore thoughts like these and build a foundation of truth around what’s actually true.

“Am I ugly? Or are those person’s comments ugly?”

“Am I stupid? Or is there a depth to me that this person will simply never get to meet?”

“Am I lame? Or am I in alignment with my circadian rhythm, aware of my needs/desires, and have boundaries that I’m not afraid to enforce?”

Remember that getting triggered is an invitation.

It’s possible that some part of you still believes in what was said.

Or maybe it’s something else?

3 Promises I Made To 2 Strangers At A Music Show

Published on June 26, 2026
  1. You’re going to have the best time.
  2. Nobody is going to dance more than us.
  3. You’re going to get gifts from strangers before the end of the night.

And what an incredibly fun mission that was to fulfill.

Some promises I’ve heard other people make to themselves and others at music shows:

  1. Nothing better go wrong tonight so I can have a good time.
  2. Nobody is going to be as messed up as us.
  3. Strangers better not tick me off.

Choose your mission; choose your destiny.

…Because what you choose to focus on is what you’ll see and work to problem solve.

And making it your mission to “Not have a bad time” is not the same as “Having the best time.”

Where The Magic Happens (At Work)

Published on June 23, 2026

I’m pretty busy at work these days.

I could pull an 80-hour work week and still have plenty left to do—all things I’m trying to cram into my 40-hour work week as best I can.

…Maybe you can relate.

Add on top of that the fact that oftentimes as I’m working, I’ll get interrupted.

I’ll have kids peek-a-boo into my office, parents stop in to ask questions, instructors ask for advice or guidance, staff share daily happenings, students want to talk or chat the chat with me… and so on…

And it makes getting all of the busy done, as efficiently as I’d like to, challenging.

…But you know what?

The inefficiencies are where the magic happens, isn’t it?

It’s those moments spent peek-a-booing with kids… chatting with parents about life… giving instructors guidance… interacting with my staff whom I’m so proud to have on my team… and chatting the pointless chat with students… that make all of the damn work I’m trying to efficiently get done—worth it.

Without them, I’d be clacking away at a keyboard… for what? For whom?

…Maybe you can relate?

Which “Candidate” Are You?

Published on June 22, 2026

Black Belt Candidate #1:
– Showed up early to every practice, pre-test, and test
– Trained, rehearsed, and started drilling curriculum requirements early
– Got his/her curriculum approved to the highest standard
– Wrote an earnest black belt essay that reflected careful, deep thought
– Completed a service project that made a lasting and meaningful impact on both them and others
– Received a glowing letter of recommendation from an individual who could attest to character demonstrated over the course of years
– Courageously shaved their head/participated in a physical demonstration of humility
– Fasted before their test for the challenge and ritualistic cleanse of the body
– Gave their 100% best effort at each step of the testing process

Black Belt Candidate #2:
– Showed up late to every practice, pre-test, and test
– Waited until the last minute to train, rehearse, and start drilling curriculum requirements
– Got his/her curriculum approved according to the bare minimum standard
– Used AI to write their essay and added minimal thought and/or editing
– Did a last minute service project that they made sound better than it was
– Received a short, generic letter of recommendation
– Decided against participating in a physical demonstration of humility because of fear
– Didn’t want to feel hungry so didn’t fast for their test
– Did just enough to get by at each step of the testing process

…You may not be a martial artist. Heck, you might never even step into a martial arts school. But the contrast in decisions outlined above and what results apply universally. Candidate #1 and candidate #2 are going to feel completely different about their belt, the testing process, and themself… my question for you is: which candidate are you in your domain of life?