The age of sadness—just an age for some, all the ages for others—hides the truth in its midnight hour: life, this life, is for the living. Yes, only you, the living, can partake in this habit we call life. And as the living we must do what only the living can: live. In this age, [...]
On Winning
Dancers Practicing Routine, Photo: PeopleImages.com LeBron James is putting on a showcase for the ages. In his final Olympic run at age 39, he is still the best player in a young man's sport. He's also a winner. His recent Nike commercial narrates his thoughts on winning: Being a winner is a curse.It doesn't matter [...]
Creativity and Creation
“How much do I appreciate my creativity?” When I think of creativity, what first comes to mind is creation: artifacts, works, and ideas. I now realize I’ve severely under appreciated creativity’s role in my life. To say creativity creates works and ideas is to say food only creates nourishment. When it’s so much more. I’ve [...]
Reading for Immersion
Long ago I wrote about immersion as the secret to how I learn. I don’t just skim a topic, or a reading. I dive in it. I converse about it, I critique. I learn the language and its rhythms. In doing this, the facts and figures of the thing don’t matter. What matters is the [...]
Pleasure v. Enjoyment
For some, a good life is a life of pleasure. I’ve come to believe that instead a good life is a life of enjoyment. Mihaly Csikszentmihaly writes in Good Business: The experience of happiness in action is enjoyment—the exhilarating sensation of being fully alive. Seeking out pleasure is also a powerful source of motivation, but [...]
Still Bill, I Wish You Well.
Everyone has an artist who is a giant of soul, an artist who's work uniquely speaks to you. Not a song or a single work, but an artist who can communicate a range of this human experience that just reaches you. I have a few, such as artists Tracy Chapman, Curtis Mayfield, and Gil Scott-Heron, [...]
Some things I’ve learned about myself
The past three years have been among the most challenging I’ve experienced in my life time. This time, unlike the challenging times that came before, I’m amazed at how I’ve been able to be myself through it all. The challenges have accelerated my own faith and learning journey. In the process here are some things [...]
From Creative Block to Research Thesis
Mikal shares a journey from creative block to inspiration by shifting focus from purpose to curiosity. This shift led to a research thesis and a newfound passion, suggesting curiosity as the key to creativity. Encouraging readers to define their curiosity and pursue it, the author emphasizes the transformative power of inquisitiveness.
The Quantum Mirror Problem
It’s January 2nd. Two days too late for reflective writing about the year past. One day too late for goals and promises to be left unfulfilled. Today, is the beginning of tomorrow. Just another day. Because it’s just another day today is a perfect time to begin quiet habits. The habits which are unheralded. The [...]
We are perhaps too ready to accept the conclusions of the scientist when he philosophizes. T.S. Elliot, Introduction—Leisure, The Basis of Culture
Mikal-El 