Suppose someone gave you a pen - a sealed, solid-colored pen. You couldn't see how much ink it had. It might run dry after the first few tentative words or last just long enough to create a masterpiece (or several) that would last forever and make a difference in the scheme of things. You don't … Continue reading #94: Suppose Someone Gave You a Pen
#87: Sometimes, I Am Startled Out of Myself
This is a beautiful poem of hope and re-birth. Read it slowly, letting the words roll in your mouth, munching on the words and letting it sink in. If a word or phrase strikes you, stay with it and let that be your prayer for today. Think about hope, think about love, think about life. … Continue reading #87: Sometimes, I Am Startled Out of Myself
#49: Savor the Little Things
Do you eat while reading? If so, you might have noticed the phenomenon I’ve noticed: sometimes you can eat an entire meal without even really tasting the food. This applies to a lot of things in our lives: we can spend an hour with our family without really talking to them. We can go to a park or the beach, and not really notice the things around us.
#7: The Holstee Manifesto
The Holstee Manifesto is a list of principles in living life. Holstee’s founders, Dave, Mike and Fabian sat together on the steps of Union Square in New York to write down how they define success. The goal was to create something they could reflect back on if they ever felt stuck or found themselves living … Continue reading #7: The Holstee Manifesto
In Praise of Limits
We live in a world of abundance, often to the point of excess: we can buy anything anytime, consume as much of the Internet as we want, eat anything all the time, work as much as our bodies will allow. With so much available, it can become overwhelming, unhealthy, unbalanced. I’d like to propose a … Continue reading In Praise of Limits
The Power of Delay
‘The greatest remedy for anger is delay.’ ~Thomas Paine I once had a boss who had a favourite strategy for dealing with donations-seekers, demanding colleagues, and basically anyone who wanted anything from him he was reluctant to give. Delay. For example, lots of people would come to our office seeking handouts, and he didn’t believe … Continue reading The Power of Delay
The Empty Container
Our lives get so complicated not overnight but gradually. The complications creep up on us, one insignificant step at a time. Today I order something online, tomorrow someone gives me a gift, then I get a free giveaway, then I decide I need some new tools. One item at a time, the clutter accumulates, because … Continue reading The Empty Container
The Smart Way to Stick to Habits
Sticking to a new habit isn’t easy — but if you set up your habit change smartly, you can make it stick. Starting a new habit isn’t too hard — we often get excited about starting an exercise plan or diet or waking up early, for example. But a number of obstacles get in the … Continue reading The Smart Way to Stick to Habits
