Issues of 7 for Sunday.

  • The courage to wait

    Issue № 138

    The courage to wait

    Can we simply wait? There’s something wonderful in the moments we don’t understand. It can be a bit of conversation, a moving image, or even just a thought. This week, I’ve been thinking about waiting—waiting for something to happen, for understanding, for serenity. I always feel a tension to hurry through the waiting, as if…

  • This is enough

    Issue № 137

    This is enough

    Can we choose attentiveness? I’ve spent my lifetime seeking: knowledge, control, achievement, clarity. Finally, I began to wonder—and have subsequently become convinced—that life is not about seeking. It’s about noticing what’s already here, and being honest about the tradeoffs I’m making with my time, attention, and effort. ‘Dagon’ has all the elements of a classic…

  • In search of meaning

    Issue № 136

    In search of meaning

    Can we create meaning through language, learning, and daily practice? The search for meaning is clearly universal. It may take us a few decades before we begin, but we do eventually take that first step in our search. And one of my goals as the communicator is to make it as easy as possible for…

  • Cherishing dignity

    Issue № 135

    Cherishing dignity

    Shall we cherish dignity in our high-tech world? Everything is fun, until one’s expectations are crushed. I thought I was getting the convenience of online shopping for things that were previously literally unavailable. Instead, the local stores closed and I’ve lost the convenience of local purchasing. I thought I was getting expanded communication via email.…

  • Festina lente

    Issue № 134

    Festina lente

    What is the role of patience? This week I’m thinking about patience. I’m thinking about being patient with others, of course. But mostly I’m thinking about being patient with myself. Stop rushing through the current moment—the next moment is not guaranteed, so enjoy this one. I’ve been trying to stop thinking about the things I…

  • Motivation is only the beginning

    Issue № 133

    Motivation is only the beginning

    What fuels lasting personal change? I’m endlessly fascinated by motivation, habits and processes. As I’m gearing up to start coaching (in the context of movement, at the intersection of mindfulness and longevity) I’ve been thinking a lot about how to help people find their motivation. I’ve realized that motivation, habits and processes are related to…

  • Seriously

    Issue № 132

    Seriously

    Is playfulness the font of humor and creativity? I was recently thinking about humor, and how we intermingle (if you’ll pardon my presuming to know you) two different things when we use the word humor. We say both: One has a good sense of humor, and one is of good humor. That first refers to…

  • The opposite of striving

    Issue № 131

    The opposite of striving

    What if the distractions of imagination are invitations to return to serenity? I spend enormous amounts of time following the train of thought which begins with, “What if…” But I’m not thinking about catastrophes! I’m just endlessly distracted by things I think of which I could do. Cynicism is quite good at masquerading as wisdom.…

  • Purpose and connection

    Issue № 130

    Purpose and connection

    What transforms teaching from a role into a calling? As I prepare to coach (some people would insist I include “finally” before prepare) I am repeatedly finding myself lost in thought. Thinking about coaching, would be great. It’s the “lost in” part which has been troubling me. But I’ve got it backwards. My cat is…

  • Gifts to myself

    Issue № 129

    Gifts to myself

    Will I say, ‘Thank you’? Think about your perception of time: We remember our past (or so we believe.) We have ideas about how our life might unfold in the future. We understand that it is, currently, now. We somehow sense that time passes— that time, somewhat like the water of a river, goes past…