Insights
#156 Making the future just a little brighter
A compelling vision of who I want to be doesn’t just guide my present actions and brings me toward a fulfilling future. It also helps me deal with the suffering that’s part of living in a complex physical body with a complex mind in a complex society in a complex, uncontrollable world. Because no matter
#154 When results have become irrelevant
When technology and AI outpace us and we can’t be the best, smartest, fastest, strongest on the planet anymore – will we still care about our economic output? When results have become irrelevant, what are the things I will still want to do? Maybe we’ll rediscover value in our actions themselves and the pleasure and
#153 When most of the learning is lost on us.
Playing the guitar hasn’t taught me to move my hands and fingers across strings. It has taught me to persevere whenever I’m failing over and over again until suddenly, it all clicks and the words, music, or movements flow. Yoga hasn’t taught me to put my body in awkward poses. It has taught me to
#155 Questions that lead to intentional living
Am I doing this because of who I want to be? Or in spite of who I want to be? Do I act a certain way automatically? Who or what made me believe it’s a necessity? Do I even know who I want to be? Questions that lead to intentional living.
#152 When we’re economically obsolete
ChatGPT can write in 10 seconds what would take you hours. We’re entering an era where what makes us valuable is not economic output anymore. We can try to compete. Or we can rethink what still makes our lives valuable when we’re economically obsolete. I write for the sake of writing. I play chess for
#151 Habit hardliners vs Elastic Discipline
If I don’t meditate today, will I ever become a consistent practitioner? If I don’t go for that run today, will I ever become a runner? If I don’t stick to my diet today, will I ever get in shape? There’s a time and place for being a hardliner about your habits – the first
#150 AI can write like us – but why do we write?
AI may write like us – but why do we write in the first place? AI may translate what we say – but why do we say what we say in the first place? AI may do what we do – but why do we do what we do in the first place? Does AI
#149 Day 150: I started a podcast
Day 150: I started a podcast First, I focused on becoming good at publishing my writing every day. Then, I started focusing on getting better at writing—a never-ending story. Now, 150 days later, the cycle starts over. First, I focus on becoming good at publishing a podcast every day, narrating the daily insights from the
#148 It’s not a choice
When everyone starts using AI chatbots to write, but the insights inside your body and mind scream to be poured on the page – writing is not a choice. When everyone dreads yet another practice session, but you know running the same route for the millionth time is all it takes to make you feel
#147 Purposeful Passion vs Compulsive Addiction
Working on your business so hard you neglect your health – and end up in bed with a burnout. Being so absorbed with selflessly helping others you forget to set boundaries – and end up drained and resentful. Being so focused on the practice your neglect your friends and family – and you end up
#146 Shadow Artistry
Shadow writer – someone who holds a secret desire, maybe even an irresistible urge to write but is afraid of being criticized – so their words never even make it on the page. Shadow runner – someone who’d love to run a marathon but doesn’t believe they could train consistently enough to make it happen
#145 The practice becomes the identity
I write every day until I’m a writer. I paint every day until I’m a painter. I practice the guitar every day until I’m a guitar player. I love my family every day until I become a family person. I prove to myself that I can take one daily action aligned with who I want