On August 31st, I will officially complete my goal of becoming my perfect weight, shape, and fitness level. It’s a goal 20 years in the making. I’ve always been ‘big-boned’ and ‘someone who liked meat and potatoes’. I have an early memory of someone my dad was buying bales of hay from commenting on meContinue reading “Why I’m ‘Giving Up’ My Goal of Losing Weight (Right When I’ve Achieved It)”
Category Archives: Mental-Health
The Difference Between ‘Just Right’ and Almost Right
A lot about these recent days have been perfect. The late spring weather in Bend, Oregon. Spending more time with my sister. Getting to focus on writing and exercising, eating good food and learning the banjo. On paper it sounds ideal, maybe even — if I could have told my 2019 self about this timeContinue reading “The Difference Between ‘Just Right’ and Almost Right”
Touchstones of Good
I have been trying, like most of us during this time, to do something. Make some progress. Accomplish stuff. I have written things, even written good things. I have gone on walks and cycle rides. I have sometimes been caught eating well — Hey! A Brussel Sprout! And I have struggled. And I struggle still.Continue reading “Touchstones of Good”
Why it’s okay to feel how you feel — and why you should move past it
It’s okay to feel tired. Sad. Scared. Tired again. It’s alright to read too much news, talk about things you can’t change, and eat junk food. It’s fine to play too many games and watch all the TV. It’s okay not to be okay. But what comes next? After. Above and beyond this moment? WhatContinue reading “Why it’s okay to feel how you feel — and why you should move past it”
The Great Things About Turning Forty
Forty is awesome. I know you hear a lot of talk about it as a big scary number and I admit I’ve thought so too. Which is why I’ve been working hard for a couple of years to get my life to an exciting place for the big 4-0, just so I wouldn’t feel disappointed.Continue reading “The Great Things About Turning Forty”
These 500 Words Will Make Your Life Awesome
I’m almost 40, which isn’t too old — I’ve got lots more adventures planned. But I’m also aware that I’m moving toward being ‘an adult’ if not yet quite an elder statesman. In some ways I’ve always felt this mature; I remember being 20 and thinking I felt my ‘true age’ was 42 (the answer toContinue reading “These 500 Words Will Make Your Life Awesome”
The Ocean is Still Out There, Magnificent and Wide
It had been over 20 years since I had seen a beach. I had had good intentions several times over the past few years (“We’ll go for my birthday”; “Let’s cerebrate New Year’s on the beach, watching the sun rise”) but each time bad weather, illness, holiday retail worker craziness, or just the idea ofContinue reading “The Ocean is Still Out There, Magnificent and Wide”
To Honor the Failing Darkness
Trying new things is hard. Returning to old things is hard. Doing anything worth doing is probably hard. 😉 But as the darkness of ignorance falls away we become more comfortable, less afraid, less annoyed. The new is always challenging, which is why we rush past it — getting to know that new boyfriend, wantingContinue reading “To Honor the Failing Darkness”
To the Young, Broke, Lost, and Extraordinary: Part Two
A young man named Karl wrote me asking for advice. In Part One, I talked about Jobs vs. Careers and how to be the kind of person anyone would love to know. Here, in Part Two, I answer the rest of Karl’s questions. Will I be able to pay my own bills? Like I saidContinue reading “To the Young, Broke, Lost, and Extraordinary: Part Two”
To the Young, Broke, Lost, and Extraordinary: Part One
Hi readers! I got an email a few weeks ago from a young man in Asia who had questions about his life and hoped I could help. I answered him as best I could but his questions were really interesting and made me ponder what I would tell myself if I could talk to aContinue reading “To the Young, Broke, Lost, and Extraordinary: Part One”
Stay Extraordinary 