Is there an antidote for the weariness and repetition? — There’s an old Charlie Rose interview with the late author and political commentator William F. Buckley that is utterly honest and immensely sad. Buckley is in his later years and ailing from diabetes, hearing loss, and other medical indignities. Rose asks Buckley, “Do you wish you were twenty?” “No, absolutely…

There are bigger reasons at play than an insane madman flexing power — In August 2008, the geopolitical intelligence company I worked for went on red alert. Red alerts were an internal code for “All hands on deck. Something in the world just exploded.” That day, I got to work creating maps of Russian and Georgian troop movements in Abkhazia and South Ossetia…

I blame him — It’s amazing how a single article can jar one’s thinking loose. I wouldn’t advise reading this … 10 Judo Tips For Struggling Writers The premium Medium editionmedium.com … but in it, Carlo Zeno first applauds readers for “… swallowing [his] ten bitter truths [for struggling writers], then challenges writers with, “What are your judo tips for [struggling] writers?” Carlo’s story…

An ecosystem that works hard to keep us alive. — I was not at all convinced this poor root would survive its new home. As many on Medium would know, this inherited garden has turned out to be a challenge for me. The first owners of the garden knew exactly what they were doing. There’s firm evidence of that, but…

The liberating realisation that I’m not the problem. Others are. — Growing up as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, I was always taught to see the best in people, and that no one is bad or evil. They simply do evil things when times get hard. But it turns out that’s bullshit. The majority of people these days act immorally and inconsiderately…

Notes on the “true self” within which “all this” appears — “One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful.” ― Sigmund Freud “There’s a place in the soul where you’ve never been wounded.” ― Meister Eckhart “Not seeing mind and space as differing ― this is as dharmakaya as it can be” ― Milarepa …

Wisdom promotes personal and social well-being. Here’s how to gain some. — Asked by researchers to reflect on the disagreements they have with others, an astonishing 82% of people said they were usually right and the other person was usually wrong. …

It’s paying attention to what I’m actually doing — I’ve started noticing the astonishing extent to which I’m busy worrying about how well I am doing instead of focusing on the task at hand. Not to brag, but I can distract myself with angst-ridden self-evaluation while doing almost anything, including but not limited to, writing cartoons, playing guitar, doing…

Vincent’s floral vision for his studio in the south — In August 1888, Vincent van Gogh wrote to his friend, the Post-Impressionist artist Émile Bernard, with the idea that he was going to do up his house with sunflower paintings: “I’m thinking of decorating my studio with half a dozen paintings of Sunflowers. A decoration in which harsh or broken…

It’s harder to be average than to be extraordinary. — By definition, being average is more competitive. It’s where the majority of the population lives. You compete for the same mediocre jobs. You compete for the same raises that don’t match inflation. You compete for the same status signals — biggest house, newest car, latest iPhone. The average is safe…

I can’t imagine anything less interesting in business than maximizing shareholder value. Yet this is what public companies are pressured — if not legally required — to do. A lot of non-public companies follow the same path towards performance and results. To take it further, maximization as a concept just…

We can be our own worst enemies. But why is that little part of you so hell bent on f*#king things up? — By Hazel Gale, Cognitive Hypnotherapist & Performance Coach. More at hazelgale.co.uk, or Facebook, Twitter & G+. We’ve all been there. The late night chocolate binge just as your diet was starting to pay off. The crappy decision that ruins your chances of promotion. …

Finally I Get Another Opportunity — Oh my, the world has certainly been in a downward spiral since last I was allowed a platform to proffer my words of wisdom. Perhaps a causal effect there? What is wrong with you humans? Did most of you flunk “plays well with others” in kindergarten? Why are your packs…

A cognitive hypnotherapist shares “the secret ingredient” — Some people are simply a joy to be around. The conversation flows effortlessly. You laugh. You’re genuinely interested. You look forward to seeing them, and when you part ways you feel like their company was a valuable use of your time. Obviously, this connection has partly to do with how…

This is not our world with trees in it. It’s a world of trees, where humans have just arrived. ― Richard Powers * A physicist visits a colleague and notices a horseshoe hanging on the wall above the entrance. ‘Do you really believe that a horseshoe brings luck?’ he asks…

I have this friend who considers himself a professional in his field. When he encounters other professionals acting unprofessionally, he reacts with some reserved disgust, as well he should. I’m like that too. Everyone I care to know is like that, because it’s a sign of pride; frustration at a…

Racism and micro-aggressions toward mixed-race individuals “No offense, but what are you?” The blonde-haired girl leaned in wide-eyed, as if she could figure it out by staring. “I am mixed-race,” I told the girl. “I’m Caucasian and Hispanic.” She shook her head. “But that doesn’t make any sense.” “What do…

How tell a different story — Everyone has a story about “the way life is.” That story is never entirely accurate and you can spend a lifetime getting it closer and closer to correct. The problem is, the story feels true at every stage. Especially when you are young it feels truer than the truest thing…

His story mattered, but will never be properly told — My next-door neighbour died yesterday. His name was Victor. I didn’t know his last name. I want to tell you a little bit about him, the neighbourhood that ignored him, and how the smallest acts of kindness can really matter. Victor was probably in his mid-70s. He lived alone since…

The other day I sat down to write. But it didn’t happen. It just wasn’t there. The words. The momentum. One thought leading into the next. I knew I wanted to say something. I knew what I wanted it to be about. …