In his book The Creative Act: A Way of Being, Rick Rubin explains the Power of Curation: If you choose to read classic literature every day for a year rather than the news, by the end of that time period, you will have a more honed sensitivity for recognizing greatness in the books rather than in … Read more

Wonder is the heaviest element on the periodic table. Even a tiny teaspoon of it can stop time. Diane Ackerman, describing the Power of Awe. Songs of the Humpback Whales After many years studying moths, Tufts University researcher Roger Payne headed to Bermuda to study whales. There, he met a US Navy engineer who, while … Read more

“I’m not a control freak. I know exactly how things should be done, and if you’d all just do it my way, everything would be fine!” This article in the NY Times describes a micromanager who was so much of a control freak that she “cleaned out employees’ desks when she felt that they were … Read more

The paradox of moral licensing: the more we pat ourselves on the back for our goodness, the easier it becomes to turn a blind eye to our lapses. “I worked really hard this week. So, I deserve to binge-watch five episodes of The Crown this weekend.” “I ran 6 miles today. What’s the harm in … Read more

The difference between a lady and a flower girl is not how she behaves, but how she’s treated. I shall always be a flower girl to Professor Higgins, because he always treats me as a flower girl, and always will; but I know I can be a lady to you [Colonel Pickering], because you always … Read more

Wabi-sabi is a character skill. It gives you the discipline to shift your attention from impossible ideals to achievable standards—and then adjust those standards over time. Adam Grant, Hidden Potential According to legend, as a young boy, Sen no Rikyu sought to learn the art of the Japanese tea ceremony from the esteemed tea master, … Read more

According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Beavers are meticulous groomers. They use the preening toe as a comb to prevent their fine, soft fur from matting to maintain its waterproofing and insulating properties. In an alternate universe, I think I’d be a Beaver. Far from glamorous, I know. But I feel … Read more

“If life were a board game, moving the goalpost would be the equivalent of flipping the board and shouting, ‘New rules, everyone!’” Moving the goalpost “Moving the goalpost” is an English expression for changing the terms of an agreement midway through a contract. Imagine promising your child a dollar a week for additional household chores … Read more

“What good is an idea if it remains an idea? Try. Experiment. Iterate. Fail. Try again. Change the world.” Simon Sinek, explaining the art of iteration.  Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky famously said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” In retrospect, it’s a profound statement—one that transcends the world of sports and is … Read more

The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller.” Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, emphasizing the persuasive power of stories and its ability to inspire people. The NY Times piece Why we tell stories, featured this short essay by Hikaru Nakamura, one of the world’s top blitz chess players and a popular Twitch … Read more

The path to a more meaningful and fulfilling life lies in simplifying and embracing the power of intentionality. In a world brimming with abundance and distractions, we quickly lose sight of what truly matters. Many of us fall into the trap of accumulating possessions, commitments, and busyness, mistakenly believing that these are signs of effective … Read more

Many of us find the words meaning and fulfillment esoteric and highfalutin and decide to worry about it when we retire from life’s obligations —work, raising and overseeing our kids, pets, and plants—and have little else to do. Apparently, that’s not what we’re supposed to do. In 1946, Austrian psychiatrist Viktor Frankl chronicled his experiences … Read more

Steven Wright aptly described the word progress when he said, “I’m writing a book. I’ve got the page numbers done.”  Progress journeys From the time we’re born until we die, life, for most of us, is an incessant search for progress. The details vary. As toddlers, walking a few feet without falling flat on our … Read more

People, especially the rich and famous, often get asked what they regret most. Their answers vary. Some are truthful. Others makeup stuff that sounds erudite but, in reality, is quite banal. And then there are those who say they never look back and have no regrets. Good for them, I guess. A lot of self-help … Read more

It’s actually pretty easy to be contrarian. It’s hard to be contrarian and right. Reid Hoffman. The Great Debate On June 30, 1860, seven months following the publication of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, a debate took place at the Oxford University Museum in Oxford, England. Referred to since as The Great Debate, … Read more

Marx is quoted as saying, “I used to think that all lawyers were crooks. Then I met one who was a liar.” The quote is funny because it takes a common stereotype and turns it on its head. But more importantly, it illustrates why it’s absurd to overgeneralize about people or situations. All generalizations are … Read more