Finding Sanctuary in Writing
As a teenager, I found myself meandering along winding paths of education and expectation. Fortunately, before I became too lost in the wild, untamed chaos of human society, I stumbled upon a peculiar and powerful refuge nestled within the cozy corners of my own mind. This became my favorite sanctuary, seemingly sculpted from the ether […]
The Stars Above Were My First Love
Having quite literally grown up with Star Trek the Next Generation playing on the TV in my living room, it should come as no surprise that the stars above were my first love. Popular culture has long been fascinated by the idea of extraterrestrial cultures. Yet, mainstream science has often scoffed at the notion. Still, […]
When We Were Gypsy Moth Caterpillar Keepers
As a third-grader, for me the world was never more a place of endless fascination and wonder. It was then that along with a small group of classmates, I stumbled upon a curious creature that would capture our imaginations and bring us closer together for a time. That creature was the gypsy moth caterpillar. One […]
Revising in Spirit
Have you ever stumbled upon a forgotten drawer while cleaning and found it filled with old letters, photos, or even mix tapes from the ’90s? That’s sort of how it feels whenever I dig through what I call my “Death Pile,” a digital treasure trove containing many previously discarded works. It’s much like a graveyard […]
Writing at Breakneck Speeds
As a child and later as a teen, I adored writing my words in spiral notebooks. I was also rather fond of composition books. Over the years, I’ve collected many notebooks. While I do know how to write fairly adequate cursive, my brain often operates at breakneck speeds, especially when it comes to writing. So, […]
Who Has Helped You to Flourish Today?
I’ve always wished for my words to touch people’s hearts and minds in a way that will lead them to improve both themselves and the lives of others. The truth is, we all have words that can do that, right here, right now, wherever you are, what ever it is you might be doing. I […]
How Forever is Composed of Nows
One of my favorite Emily Dickinson poems, and I have so many, is one often referred to as “Forever” or Poem #690. I’ve always been particularly fond with her poems that deal with two of her favorite themes, time and mortality. But when it comes to the line “Forever – is composed of Nows,” that’s […]
If You Were To Enter This Mind
If you were to enter this wondrous mind of mine, I must warn you, dear reader, that you may not be fully prepared for what lies ahead. The thoughts that race through my head are like a never-ending stream, with each one jostling for attention and clamoring to be heard. Some are bold and daring, […]
Thoughts on Laozi, Taoism, and Leadership
Leaders should do what they feel is best for their people, whether or not the leader believes that decision to be popular. It is a leader’s responsibility to use force as little as possible, and violence as the ultimate last resort. In the use of force, lives are often put at risk and risking lives […]