sustainable systems & storytelling
Time rages like a river, rushing by, offering momentary glimpses into the truth of reality. The days pass by in steady succession, marching towards some yet-unknown destination. I have spent the last several years coasting along the ebb and flow of some evasive ailment. I've spent portions of the journey violently kicking and other stretches... Continue Reading →
Popular advice states that we should refrain from comparing ourselves to others, instead focusing our discerning eyes on who we are currently versus who we were before. Generally speaking, we make strides forward. We fall in love, get the promotion, become more spiritual, achieve a new personal best and learn an important lesson along the... Continue Reading →
Someone recently asked me whether I tend to think in terms of systems or stories. I thought about it for a brief moment before responding, "both." My blog's tagline is "sustainable systems & storytelling," while that of my previous blog was "the subjective perspective of an analytical optimist." If my ten-year-old self had a blog,... Continue Reading →
"It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live." — Marcus Aurelius Yesterday, we went on our evening walk and discovered a two-day old gosling that had been abandoned by it's family. After following it around for over an hour, observing a man sic his dog on... Continue Reading →
I've always been one to follow the rules. I don't jaywalk, cheat or take shortcuts. I read through the instruction manual and then carefully build the plywood furniture, one piece at a time. The internet if rife with guidelines, instructions and unsolicited advice. How do I find a job after college? What will help me... Continue Reading →
the tin awning pings, repeatedly a call from the clouds: look around you pay attention the pitter-patter of precipitation striking lightly, then violently a mile-wide percussion band tap dancing on the rooftops established trees reach upwards twirling gracefully at center stage until their arms grow weary bowing down to the dampened earth ... Continue Reading →
In recent weeks, the topic of tension has been repeatedly showing up in my life; specifically, the idea of intentionally creating tension. Life is already filled with some much chaos and uncertainty, so why would we want to add more into the mix? The idea is that modern life has become cushy, with easy access... Continue Reading →
This past weekend, I was reminded of the duplexity of life, as well as my power to choose how I respond. Rather than labeling the incidences as "good" or "bad," I'm trying to practice non-judgement--the events are inherently meaningless until I attribute meaning to them. On Thursday, I met my aunt for dinner and it felt... Continue Reading →
Novice gardeners often claim wilting plants on inexperience, weather conditions, or being born without a "green thumb." An expert gardener will tell you that limited experience, extreme heat, and inconsistent watering routines matter less than we think. The key to a thriving garden is nutrient-rich soil. Healthy soil prevents disease and supports long-term growth. One... Continue Reading →
The last several months have been a chaotic whirlwind of scary medical diagnoses, home flooding, heartbreaking pet loss, gnarly medical treatments, shitty contractors, an overwhelming sense of loneliness, and thousands of dollars in unexpected expenses. A few weeks ago, on a particularity rough day, I woke up to a bouquet of flowers and a card... Continue Reading →
After a brief hiatus, I am continuing Elizabeth Gilbert's online course, What is Creative Living? The third portion of the course involves identifying the ways in which we serve our creative life, and the ways in which we needlessly sacrifice joy. Humans have been making art for 30,000 years, and you can bet that the earliest artists... Continue Reading →
Spring is the season of new birth, followed closely by the child-rearing months of summer. Over the last several months, I've been watching as miniature animals pop up everywhere. The number of quail, geese, ground squirrels, night hawks, and king snakes seem to multiply as mothers give birth to the next generation. Yet, the increased... Continue Reading →
existential ergonomics 