A question of authenticity. — “Are you being a parent? Or are you playing a parent?” This was the question my therapist posed to the group. One of the few times we were allowed to focus what we were learning in session on something other than ourselves. I commonly heard something like “Don’t worry about…

Two seemingly competing details can coexist simultaneously. — I stared at the numbers steadily rising on the meter as I pumped gas. Such a loose expression, pumping gas. The grip of the nozle did all of the work while I glazed over and roamed Planet Nothing in a dark corner of my mind. Somewhere between $20 and $40…

Friends, Olivia and I are so excited that you have been enjoying our art so much. The responses to our paintings have been overwhelming. We are humbled, for sure. And we are encouraged! We did not anticipate this, but many of you have asked whether we are selling the artwork…

The elusive sixth star and titles deserving of my award — I have a compulsion for reading. Books contain experiences and I love to rate my book experiences. Ratings serve many purposes. My favorite function is having a sorting system for recommendations. I love it when someone asks me which book they should read next. If they read the book I…

A Chronic Pain Miracle? A couple of years ago, I underwent my second back surgery. Once again, I was told I would trade some temporary pain for the promise of a long-term solution. …

It’s liberating. It’s easy. It’s going to pay dividends. — You don’t have to care. Let me say that again. You don’t actually have to care about what you’re working on. So many times I am debilitated by caring far too much about what I’m writing, how it will be received, who it may offend, and so on. This is…

Planting seeds in your word garden — We’ve all heard this enough times to fertilize our word gardens for a lifetime. My question is, how many of us plant seeds in that garden? More specifically, are we actually borrowing and stealing? Tell me you have a list of personally curated quotes, passages, and turns of phrase. Similies…

How does a parent’s chronic pain affect their children? — As I sat down to dinner with my five-year-old daughter, not long ago, she hit me with a terrific question. She asked, “Dad, why are you blinking so hard?” “I’m still hurting,” I said. It doesn’t get much more observant than a smart kindergartener. The majority of that day I…

We told one another we loved each other. Something men simply didn’t do in America, not that long ago. — Editorial Advisory: I do not, in any way, support Russian aggression against Ukraine. The small taste of war I experienced was enough to turn me away from it, forever. If nothing else, war is an absolute mess. War is horrible and has a long reach. …