When we were great, we believed that we were blessed by God. Or rather, the universal idea of God. We were blessed by God because we were a nation of different people from different places with different religions who somehow got along. And we did more than coexist; we flourished because of our differences. An intricate fabric where every thread had significant meaning and purpose. A place where we were all important contributors. We were great because we adhered to…
“Everything is perfect.” In speaking with a friend who recently gave up Facebook, she cited this as the reason. That seemingly every post by every person she follows is filled with status updates that say, “My life is better than yours.” “It’s complete bullshit.” She said. “Nobody’s life is always perfect. Yet when you visit someone’s Facebook page, you’d think they were in competition to ‘out-perfect’ everyone else.” I don’t disagree. Facebook is a platform that lets you project your…
This week I’ve been in one of those patterns where I can only focus for 15-minute intervals. Max. I don’t know why, but I just lose focus for no reason. Then I get up, walk around, clean something, play with a dog, whatever. Until just a few months ago, I smoked. Smoking was a great way to get outside for five minutes and take a break when I’d lose focus. Kidding. Smoking is stupid. But really, that’s what I used…
7:18 pm in July The thunder passes and the clouds break The cicadas start to sing At a swimming pool in the South Children splashing and playing and doing the things children do at pools Oblivious to the plight in Syria Or North Korea Or of the prostitute at crack hotel down the block Free of worry Filled with hope But not really Mostly they’re filled with merriment Keen to peeking in Marco Polo, but blind to the Apache helicopter…
According to my mother, advertising is evil. She cites false advertising as the culprit. “You see something in the newspaper and then you go to the store, and they do the ol’ bait and switch. That’s more than wrong. That’s evil.” When she found out that I had become a copywriter, she was cool with it. That is, until she learned that this meant that I wrote advertising. Since then, I may as well be a felon. I grew up with…
In a world where we’re conditioned to think big and become giants, it’s easy to feel out of touch with the world. But if you don’t feel a sense of humility at least once a day, you’re living wrong. Aim for twice, and you’ll be happier than you’ve ever imagined. There’s a certain peace that comes from knowing that the world is bigger than just you and your little life. But humility isn’t easy. It takes practice. And a willingness…
