My father died twenty-four years ago today. As I drove to the airport this morning — I’m on a short trip to San Diego — my mind drifted back to him and what he was like. I don’t think of Dad often anymore, and when I do it’s mostly superficial stuff: Dad was fat. His… Continue reading A self-made man
Category: Relationships
Permission and Control
As children, we’re conditioned to ask permission whenever we want to do something. You need permission from your parents to leave the dinner table or to go outside and play. You need permission from your teacher to use the bathroom. Even as adults, we feel compelled to request permission. You need permission from your boss… Continue reading Permission and Control
In Order to Lead, First You Must Follow
To prepare for two upcoming projects (an Entrepreneur article on work-life balance and my upcoming Pioneer Nation presentation on time management), I’ve been re-reading Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography. This morning, I happened upon Franklin’s story of starting the Philadelphia public library. When he publicized the “scheme” (as he calls it), he had trouble selling subscriptions. (In… Continue reading In Order to Lead, First You Must Follow
The Lottery of Life
Note: Today, as with every Monday during 2014, I’m publishing a short “chapter” from my unpublished ebook about fear, happiness, and freedom. Astute readers will recognize that much this particular chapter appeared as blog post at this site last September. My work nowadays involves meeting and chatting with folks from all walks of life. They… Continue reading The Lottery of Life
Winning the Jackpot
Seven years ago, taught myself to say “yes” to the opportunities life presented. My newfound willingness to meet people and try things has paid off in some big ways. In 2008, for instance, I received an email from a blog reader. He’d be in Portland the following week and wanted to know if I had… Continue reading Winning the Jackpot
Giving Without the Expectation of Return
Well, it’s official. Yesterday I signed the contract to resume writing at Get Rich Slowly. I’ll be supplying a minimum of two articles per month, though I hope to write more. In return, I’ll be paid nothing. To some, this seems crazy. To others, it seems like I’m being a sucker. To me, it sounds… Continue reading Giving Without the Expectation of Return
Expertise and Expectations: Thoughts on Success — and What Comes After
One of my favorite parts about working on the World Domination Summit is getting to know the speakers. This year, for instance, I fostered friendships with radio journalist Tess Vigeland and blogger/entrepreneur Jia Jiang. Earlier this month, both spoke from the WDS main stage. Tess shared her story of leaping without a safety net; Jia… Continue reading Expertise and Expectations: Thoughts on Success — and What Comes After
The Gift Economy and Social Capital
On Friday, Kim and I had dinner with Jason and Kyra Bussanich. Jason is a chiropractor in Lake Oswego and his wife Kyra owns a popular gluten-free bakery. (Kyra also won an episode of Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars”.) Over dinner, we touched briefly on the notion of a gift economy. Wikipedia has a great definition… Continue reading The Gift Economy and Social Capital
Four Years Later
Four years ago today, my best friend killed himself. Paul (aka “Sparky”) and I didn’t see each other much in the years leading up to his death, but every time we did, I learned something about myself and about life. I miss him. To commemorate Paul’s passing, today I want to share the eulogy I… Continue reading Four Years Later
What is Love? Looking for a Definition of Love
For most of my adult life, I’ve been a pretty rational guy. I’ve prided myself in a scientific mind, one unclouded by spirituality and mysticism. Yet as I’ve experienced profound personal changes over the past few years, I’ve found myself more and more fascinated by abstract (or “spiritual”) questions, the likes of which I haven’t… Continue reading What is Love? Looking for a Definition of Love