Is reflecting on history through today's lens reasonable? Are we responsible for the past sins of our fathers? These are interesting questions because they form a basis for much of the discussion about reparations for slavery, taking lands from the indigenous people, and wrongfully imprisoned people. Reparation is the payment for harm or damage. reparations make sense in the case of a person wrongly imprisoned for several years…

Five reasons Inbox zero is a myth. Are you chasing inbox zero? No emails are left in your inbox at the end of your day, week, or month. Give it up! Getting to Inbox 0 is a myth. It is a part of the myth of perfection. If I were perfect, I could have my inbox at…

Self-development and the Five elements that control the astonishing whole excellent you. Self-development You’re your biggest critic. I’m my biggest critic. But the one thing I have learned over the past x decades is that it’s NEVER as bad as I think it is. …

Meditation and mindfulness: Synonymous or not? The first thing to understand is that meditation and mindfulness are different. Meditation is a tool used to achieve mindfulness. Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present and aware of where we are and what we’re doing without being overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. …

6 ways to live a sustainable lifestyle to slow climate change There must be more to life than having everything! — Maurice Sendak Do you believe in climate change? I do! Can you and I as individuals affect climate change? Yes, we can! Is it too late? Never! How can we do it? The only way for each of us to…

The question that is top of mind for me is, “Why do we accumulate so much?” I’m surrounded by boxes and wondering why I am still downsizing after five moves in 7 years. 2015 was a significant downsizing event, with yard sales and donating a truckload to charity. I thought we had reduced or accumulated goods enough, but I was wrong. Moves two to four were…

Personal speech under democracy and dictatorship Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom — and no such thing as public liberty without freedom of speech. Benjamin Franklin Personal views and ideas We all have them. We have hundreds if not millions a day! We're like a manufacturing plant of ideas. Our beliefs, biases, experiences, and…

The seven elements required in a good note-taking application. “If you wish to forget anything on the spot, make a note that this thing is to be remembered.” Edgar Allan Poe Notes How many notes do you have? I’m older, so I have upwards of 20,000. What things do you keep? What is your note-taking application of choice if you…

Five Steps to Determining Your Moral Compass Living a life of integrity is living a life of TRUTH. And when you are living a life of truth, there’s nothing to hide. When there’s nothing to hide, there’s nothing but pride. You do the right thing, even when no one is watching, not because you’re getting rewarded, but…