Simplistic Solutions
Oftentimes, when life presents us with a perplexing puzzle, the answer appears too elementary, too simplistic to be true. Our minds, fickle as they can be, often betray us, leading us astray with misguided comparisons and irrational judgments. We end up overcomplicating situations where the answer is actually straightforward if we just take a step […]
Failure of Democracy
As the clock ticks down on the 2024 Presidential Election, the United States stands on the precipice of another political firestorm. With a convicted felon and a clearly overwhelmed and incompetent current president being the only options, clearly democracy is on a slippery slope in America. This pair of non-choices to lead our nation is […]
How Many Words is a Picture Really Worth?
Some time ago, I analyzed a quote by famous photographer Ansel Adams. Naturally, this means I needed to also discuss one of the most famous photography related sayings ever, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Unlike some sayings, such as “set the bar,” which have a clear and specific origin point, the origins of […]
Seeking Authenticity Over the Pursuit of Hollow Numbers
In my quiet corner of the world, I’m always laboring over some creation borne of my overactive mind. Whereas I used to simply share barely edited first drafts just to keep my weblogs active, I’ve stepped back to consider what product I’m giving the world. Now, each word I write is carefully chosen; each sentence […]
The Hardest Part of Writing
The hardest part of writing is knowing what not to write. Writing is often as much about what you leave out as what you include. It’s much like sculpting; as a sculptor removes pieces of marble to reveal the form within, a writer discards words to uncover the true essence of their message. When you […]
Why Your Personal Traits Matter More Than You Think
I was taught at many points in my childhood that character determines your fate. The common consensus is that nothing can be more true when it comes to your personal success and happiness. Ultimately, it’s not what you know or even how hard you work that determines your success – it’s who you are. If […]
Why We Must Challenge the Status Quo of Reading Comprehension
Even in elementary school, I felt that reading comprehension tests were little more than exercises in restating the obvious. These tests often seemed to measure little more than our ability to regurgitate facts and details rather than allowing us to truly engage with the material. For me, the sign of good writing is if you […]
Restlessness and Fatigue
Restlessness and fatigue are not good companions with one another. Together, they cause all sorts of mischief, a dangerous pair that significantly affects my well-being. As someone who deals with chronic fatigue syndrome already, restlessness is the worst thing I can have. If I’ve just had a particularly unproductive day, I find myself with my […]
What Does it Mean to Be Melancholy?
I’ve spent most of my life dancing with shadows. They’re always with me, silently stretching and shrinking, mimicking my every move. But, sometimes, I’ll walk with a shadow that isn’t just a play of light and dark, but a persistent feeling. It becomes a silent ghost that clings to my soul like dew on early […]