The Defiant Power of the Human Spirit
A Post-Election Reflection On Moving Forward
Preface
I almost didn’t post this.
Since the election, I’ve found myself writing down some reflections, in an attempt to clear my mind and gain perspective.
Mostly it has been a personal exercise, but I thought perhaps I could stitch together my disparate thoughts into something worth sharing.
But by the time I . . .
Why You Should Dump Out Your Hot Coffee
A quick example of sunk costs:
Keeley and I just stopped at coffee shop, and she bought a coffee to go. Three minutes after we left, she had taken just two sips, and dumped it out.
"I realize I don't want this anymore."
She recognized that the $2.50 she paid for the coffee was a sunk cost.
She paid . . .
What Nature Demands
You don't love yourself enough or you'd love your nature too and what it demands of you.
- Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 5.1
Our nature demands that we get out of bed in the morning.
Our nature demands that we exert our bodies.
Our nature demands that we tackle hard challenges.
Our nature demands . . .
We Gather Strength as We Go
Every runner knows the feeling of finding her second wind.
It's a magic sort of strength that allows her to run better, with less effort, than before.
But the second wind doesn't appear of its own accord. The runner must earn it.
For before the runner earns her second wind, every part of her is . . .
Your Political Donation is Zero Sum
How to think about maximizing impact when donating politically
It's election season, which means there's a good chance you've been asked for money. Or maybe you've been invited to a fundraiser or a phone bank.
Perhaps you've even given money to a candidate or a cause while attending a fundraiser, or after receiving an email with an irresistible pitch.
During this season, I think . . .
The Efficiency Paradox
Those who rush about to save time are bound to waste the time they save.
Think of the man in traffic, sprinting ahead, causing himself angst, and others stress, only to save a minute here or a minute there. He is so unfocused. He is not at peace. He is not present.
While saving time may be desirable on its . . .
The Adjacent Possible
and the exploration of unmapped territory
This is the fourth and final part of a series on learning. I encourage you to also read the intro, part 1, part 2, and part 3.
Isaac was daydreaming beneath the apple tree when one of the ripe, plump red apples dislodged itself from its branch and fell, smacking him right on the head.
As if struck by divine . . .