One of my greatest fears is to ruin my kids with my parenting. You don’t have to be a parent to understand that fear. But when you are one, it just makes it more visceral, possible—real. I’ve got two sons. They’re great. They love to play, roughhouse, laugh—all the good stuff kids typically do. There…More
Category Archives: thinking
Dear Mr. Biden, last night was a disappointment
The debate last night was very disappointing. I was rooting for you, Mr. Biden, but you failed to shine. Instead you got mired in the muck. You were easily rattled and resorted to name-calling, making you look weak and childish, not the man we need you to be. Yes, you were dealing with a bully…More
One of the best ways to stay motivated
Many of us push ourselves to stay motivated. We force, cajole, pressure, sometimes even yell at ourselves to get going. But pushing yourself isn’t as effective as being pulled. I don’t mean being yanked or dragged like a prisoner, no. I mean something summoning you by an irresistible force, like being in love, where you’re…More
You are not an imposter
You’re not an imposter; you’re just in-process. You might be a father learning to parent, an employee who is progressing in your career, an entrepreneur hustling to survive, or a couple trying to forge a healthy marriage. That’s good; that’s great. Life is a process. Anytime you try something, do something, go somewhere, you’re not…More
This is the best way to succeed
Failure isn’t an event; it’s a state of mind. No one is truly a failure unless they give up. I’m not talking about quitting because sometimes you need to quit in order to succeed. Not every venture is worth your time: Sometimes you try something and you find that it’s not working, so it’s good…More
Gain More Gratitude by Doing This
He asked for $50. This week my friend told me a story that broke my heart. The man who mowed my friend’s lawn, came up after he finished his work and told him that he really needed money and asked if he could borrow some. He needed $50. Could you imagine working up the courage,…More
This is one of the best ways to look at life
Cascading down a lush green knoll, blanketed by wildflowers, you run free, without care and full of mirth, breathing in joy and exhaling love: You live. Slowing your strides to a saunter, you drink in the beauty that embraces you, enveloped in serenity, bathed in light, wrapped in love. There is no one with you,…More
This is the way to become greater
You have greatness inside of you. It’s there. But it does not speak in a loud, clear voice—but in a purr—slight sensations reverberating in your spirit. It beckons you to do the right thing, help that person in need, go above and beyond—love fiercely. Attune your heart to hear its call. For that is what…More
To succeed you need to know this
Failure is a part of the process of succeeding. You can’t have one without the other. So don’t despair when you don’t see the results you want, make a mistake on that project, or fail to find the right answer. Learn from it. Grow from it. Walk away stronger, smarter, better, and persist in pushing…More
This is one of the smartest things you can do
It’s easy to feel stupid when you’re trying something new. But you’re not. I’ve been there. I felt that when I started this blog, my businesses, and pretty much every other venture I’ve tried. But you are not stupid for trying. It would be stupid not to. There are too many people who’ve lived halfhearted…More
John Pa 