We seem to be too focused on the short term pleasure of dopamine hits versus what happens after. Nick Offerman, in his book Where the Deer and the Antelope Play: The Pastoral Observations of One Ignorant American Who Loves to Walk Outside, made a brilliant observation when comparing his experiences of conquering a video game … Continue reading The After Effects
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Gratitude
On most days I dedicate a small amount of time reflecting on the previous day and preparing my mind for the day in front of me. I am usually writing in my journal during this reflection time about the previous day's significant events. Sometimes, to force myself into a grateful frame of mind, I will … Continue reading Gratitude
Prodigy Myth
The movie Searching For Bobby Fischer makes it look like Josh Waitzkin look like his chess skills came out of nowhere. The movie has a few scenes of his mother and him walking through Washington Square a few times, a rainy scene in which he finds a knight piece on the ground and decides to … Continue reading Prodigy Myth
Being Wrong
If you want to become whole, first let yourself become broken.Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching Chess game after chess game I lost, after hours of puzzle solving and working through difficult endgame drills to deliver checkmate. The game had taken over my mind, yet I felt as if I were being emasculated over and over. … Continue reading Being Wrong
A Finely Tuned Machine
My philosophy of minimalism provides five major focus points: passions, contributions, growth, relationships, and health. As my good friend Jonathan reminded me last Friday, our lives and bodies are like finely tuned machines that gradually drift out of alignment over time. While I have been focusing on my health in many ways, there has been … Continue reading A Finely Tuned Machine
The Shaw Show 