All Posts

Sometimes you strike out. That's part of the game.

"You become what you give your attention to." -Epictetus the thinker We like to think we’re good at multitasking. Checking email while working. Scrolling social media between sets at the gym. Answering messages in the middle of a conversation. What if we got it wrong? What if multitasking is really just another way of saying, doing multiple things poorly. A lack of attention, or giving attention to everything at once is corrosive. The quality of our work declines. The richnes

"Do not wish that all things will go well with you, but that you will go well with all things." -Epictetus the shifting sands of time We do not choose the hand we are dealt. We do not decide the circumstances of our birth. The time, place, and conditions of our arrival are not ours to command. Even as we move through life, much remains beyond our will. Health may falter, wealth may vanish, and fortune may turn without warning. These things bend to forces larger than our will.

There once was a Mexican fisherman. A small fishing boat resting by a Mexican village shore I first came across this story many years ago, and it has stuck with me. Since then, I’ve retold it more times than I can count, to friends, coworkers, and probably a few strangers. So the legend goes: "An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tun

Technology has given us access to almost everything. We can see distant galaxies, walk through cities we’ve never visited, and hold entire libraries in our hands. We have almost unlimited information, entertainment, and connection at our fingertips. We no longer ever need to be uncomfortable or bored. And yet, despite this incredible abundance we are walking in a monochromatic world. Our senses are starving. Not completely, just enough to matter. We live in a climate controll

Who am I? a ship at sea in a storm Many people answer this question with what they do. Their job. Their income. Their accomplishments. Their family. These things become the shorthand for identity. When someone asks who we are, we reach for the most visible markers of value. But who are you really? Ask yourself: Who am I without my job? Without my strength? Without my income? These are uncomfortable questions, which is why many people avoid them. Yet ignoring them leaves ident

You finally move into your dream home. It has everything you ever imagined. For a moment, it feels like you’ve made it.

“Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” -Dylan Thomas I have been working at a long term care and skilled nursing facility. Although the residents are treated well and the staff exceptional. A long term care faculty is a difficult place. Most individuals do not have the intention of ending up in this sort of place. The residents come from many walks of life, each with a unique story of h

I noticed something recently. I was out at a social gathering with a mixed group of people, some who knew each other and some who did not. Among the people who did not know each other, only a few even acknowledged the others. Almost no one properly introduced themselves or took a second to tell the other person their name. They didn't offer a handshake while looking the other person in the eye, and neither did they bother to ask for their name in return. Sound old-fashioned?

Growing up I remember my dad did a good bit of wood working. Or as he called it, "making saw dust". “Cut with the grain” he’d say, “not against it.” Cutting against the grain of the wood is more likely to cause tear out, splitting or burn the wood. It is more difficult on the saw and results in an inferior final product. Cutting with the grain allows for faster cuts and enables a smoother finish. Cut with the grain. The idea is to minimize the number of factors working agains

If you are looking for a template to become an incredibly wealthy influencer, a high performance finance CEO, or the next tech billionaire overnight, this is not for you. These are not secrets. This is not a get rich quick scheme. This is the well worn path of timeless principles for the regular guy that is looking to build wealth over time. a pile of $100 bills Rule 1: Live below your means To do this you may need to increase income, lower expenses or a combination of both.

It's -15 Fahrenheit outside as I lay down to sleep for the night; warm for winter this close to the arctic circle.

Stories shape character. Character shapes culture. Culture shapes our children and our nation.

Choose your attitude. Enter the arena.

a balanced scale The Weighing of the Heart In Egyptian mythology, after one's death, before they could pass into the afterlife, their heart was weighed on a scale by Anubis, the guardian of the underworld and the afterlife. The heart was weighed against the feather of Ma'at, representing truth and justice. If the heart was heavier than the feather due to a life of bad deeds, it was consumed by the monster Ammit. If the heart was balanced against the feather, indicating a life

Life often feels like a series of challenges designed to break us down. Yet, what if those very challenges could make us stronger?

When you measure your value by your net worth, the size of your house, or the luxury car in your garage, you risk missing what truly matters. These external markers can feel impressive, but they do not define your worth or bring lasting fulfillment. The pursuit of personal success alone often leads to loneliness and emptiness. Real meaning and purpose come from something deeper: responsibility, connection, and serving a cause greater than yourself. firefighter enters a buildi

"I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of a man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor" - Henry David Thoreau a simple log cabin among the woods The Myth of Hercules at the Crossroads In Greek mythology, Hercules, encounters two women at a crossroads. Kakia, the goddess of vice and Arete, the godess of virtue . Kakia offers Hercules a life of ease, pleasure, and immediate gratification. Arete offers Hercules a more difficult path, promising

1. Morning Clarity: Define What’s in Your Control Before the world pulls at you, set the terms. A simple morning check-in: What’s in my control today? What’s not? What matters most? This gives direction and eliminates reactivity. 2. Negative Visualization (Premeditatio Malorum) Spend 1–3 minutes imagining potential challenges for the day. Not as anxiety, but as preparation. The Stoics used this to harden their minds and strengthen their composure. You become unshakable becaus

"Once you let your appetite exceed what is necessary and useful, desire knows no bounds." -Epictetus In a world where consumerism pushes us to want more—bigger houses, fancier cars, and the latest gadgets—many find themselves chasing a happiness that never arrives. The endless pursuit of material wealth often leaves people feeling empty, overwhelmed, and disconnected from what truly matters. The philosophy of Stoic wealth offers a powerful alternative: the idea of enough . It