Often defined as an over-consumption or over indulgence of something, gluttony lurks in the best of us, often rearing its ugly head (and cavernous jaws) in inconspicuous places where it catches us off-guard. Almost always, we are left worse off than before the encounter. And the costs are often not that obvious, especially at first. I…
Compounding Returns
I would keep this one short. Your time and attention is one of your greatest assets that bring in the greatest returns, if used well, so I won’t demand too much from you. At least not today. Everything we choose to do comes with opportunity costs and consequences. That is fascinating enough–but the real magic…
An Easy Life?
Yesterday, one of my younger sisters described my current life as “really easy”—relaxed, flexible, and unstressed, resembling a retiree’s lifestyle rather than the usual up-and-coming 20-something’s. Her comment made my mom laugh, as a “retirement lifestyle” is something she and I have discussed before. (Short version of said discussion: She doesn’t want me to be…
Identity and Reality
The gap between who I saw myself as and who I actually was used to frustrate me, infuriate me, play games with my mind. More than once, realizing that my immediate reality didn’t match the identity I’d so carefully formed and convinced myself was real led me down some heady crises-like rabbit holes. It wasn’t…
A Customized Self
Do you have music in you all the time–a tune, a melody that’s just there, springing from somewhere deep inside your being that isn’t exactly a thought nor is distillable into words–music that is you and that only you could hear? I didn’t, but I do now. And it’s one of the most thrilling realizations…
Thoughts on My Position in Life
Lately there have been voices speaking into my life, commenting on how I’m living my life, whether I’m being social enough, whether I’m truly an “independent adult”, how I could be so unrealistic, why I’m still behind on life–whatever that means. I haven’t traveled much. I don’t have a full-time job. I’m not dating,…
For They Know Not What They Do
I told my older sister one afternoon that I know what sort of a person I’m becoming. I have come to understand that I am on track to something, that I am becoming someone I do not need to be scared or ashamed of, that I could actually be useful, inspiring, strong, and yet vulnerable,…
Growth
I’ve been described as someone with more drive than they know what to do with, a sort of ambitious overachiever. Why strive for so much? Why seek mastery when it’s already “okay”? Why do and attempt so much, when you could just let life happen, go with the flow, take things as they are, and…
To Live and To Die…But For Whom, and As Whom?
A friend once asked me to elaborate on why I disagree, on a fundamental level, with the general definition modern evangelical Christianity gives to the idea of “living for God” (see here for an example); and furthermore, how I intend to disprove it through my life. This is part of the answer I gave. (I…
The Terror of Excellence
Excellence and knowledge terrify the cowardly. Having reached a higher standard, what was once unexpected strokes of greatness amidst mediocrity becomes the ground from which others and self judge you. No longer can you claim inability or lack of insight, for you have proven yourself capable and cognizant of more than what you were and…