I’ve come to realize that life is far from a linear journey. Sometimes relationships generate unexpected pain. Sometimes harmless decisions cause stress and hardship. Sometimes the most exciting events in life lead to nothing but disappointment. In these situations, I’m often left thinking, “Wow, I didn’t see that… Read More

Sometimes life feels like a never-ending hike. As you make your way up the mountain, you search for something dramatic: a scenic view, a vibrant sunset, a place of solitude. But hikes can be exhausting. Steep inclines slow you down. Rock fields get in your way. Rain showers force… Read More

I’ve spent most of my life building a “road map” of hopes, dreams and expectations. I’ve planned the jobs I need to build a successful career. I’ve planned when I want to start a family (and adopt a dog). And I’ve planned the money I need to buy my… Read More

One of my close friends recently had a baby. For most people, this new arrival would trigger a whole host of emotions from joy to anxiety. But this friend only seems to experience joy. Despite the significance of the transition before him, he appears unmoved. Do you know… Read More

“One moment please!” I pleaded as I pulled the phone away from my face. I began to sob uncontrollably. Again and again I tried to catch my breath and get enough composure to explain the desperation I was feeling to my real estate agent. “Four months have passed, my house… Read More

Can you think of a more infuriating experience than sitting in traffic? Cars jammed into a one-mile stretch of highway. Drivers relentlessly honking their horns. Motorcyclists flying down the shoulder. There you sit, trapped in the middle of an old station wagon and a sluggish 18-wheeler. Wondering what to do… Read More

I don’t always make the right decisions. Sometimes, while scrambling to complete my daily tasks, I say “yes” to a commitment I can’t handle. Sometimes, while eating out with my friends, I order too much food—and spend more money than I want to spend. But when faced with bigger,… Read More

The grass is always greener on the other side, they say. If we reach for something different—something greater—we’ll somehow step into new, better life. Have you ever felt this way, wondering if you could somehow get more out of life? If you have, you’re not alone. In… Read More

I smiled hopefully at the doctor as he felt my right knee for structural damage. “You’ll be fine,” he said, to my relief. “Nothing that seems beyond repair. Just skip soccer practice next week.” A few days later, I began to warm up for my next match. But as soon… Read More

My wife and I are currently reading through J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings.” As we’ve journeyed alongside Frodo, Sam, Pippin and Merry, an epiphany has been lingering in the back of my head: I’m just like a Hobbit. I resist change and hope desperately that things in my life… Read More