Lately, I have been trying to figure out the direction in which my life is heading. Part of the learning process has been looking at what I am most passionate about. In examining where I invest my time and energy, I’ve found that I’m drawn to novices: people who are just getting started, but are… Continue Reading
the subjective perspective of an analytical optimist
Category Archives: Thoughts and Musings
The Cocktail Party of Life
There are many truths that permeate our lives. Some we embrace or adapt to, others we ignore, and still more we fight to conceal and destroy. How often do we see on the news that the victim of a house fire had died of a slit throat, rather than suffocation? How often have you entered a public restroom and… Continue Reading
Fixing Things That Aren’t Exactly Broken
“What is that horrendous sound?” my mom asked as she watched me pull into the driveway. I scrunched my face, as if dulling my other senses would heighten my auditory perception. As she pointed towards the tires and muttered something about “clanking” and “scraping,” I scoffed. In a small mouse-like voice, the car had been squeaking, on… Continue Reading
How Technology is Revolutionizing Human Behavior
Driving to work, I realized that my phone was still on my desk charging. I spent about ten seconds musing whether I could go nine hours without my social tethering device. No, the answer was a definite no. I made a U-turn, grabbed my phone, and all was well in the world. We live in an… Continue Reading
I was going to write, but instead I saved Jimmy
For several weeks now, I’ve been feeling sick and uninspired. It’s difficult for me to write simply for the sake of writing, so my spirits lifted when my week was filled with the same recurring, writable theme. I am always trying to understand people–figuring out motives, guessing next moves, and jumping out of the way… Continue Reading
Finding Calm Amid Chaos
In the seventh grade, my teacher would play Enya during our math tests. I don’t know why that feels so profound. I’m not sure why I still remember that. Perhaps that experience taught me that tranquilty can be found admist anxiety; the two are not exclusive, as common sense would have us believe. Within the eye of the storm… Continue Reading
The Power of Intention
Each December, I collect and package up twelve months worth of challenges, successes, and life lessons and then tie them up with a lovely ribbon. I’ve found that examining my experiences allows me to recognize and perpetuate the wonderful, as well as address and overcome the struggles. What did I embrace? Let go of? Discover about myself?… Continue Reading
The Only Question That Matters
As the year comes to an end, I can’t help but look back on the past 12 months. Where have I been and what have I accomplished? What still lies ahead? A question that always seems to always fall back into my lap is: Where do I fit into the grand scheme of things? What difference could… Continue Reading
Strangers
Conventionally speaking, strangers are those individuals who cross our paths, but whom we have yet to invite into our lives. A faint blip on our interpersonal radar, forgotten in a moment. Yet, within every individual lies a seed of friendship, the potential for some type of meaningful connection. A stranger is just a friend I haven’t met yet.… Continue Reading