In practical terms, this looks like associating with people by choice rather than out of mere convenience or proximity. Gone are the 2010s, when we all banded together because we drank green juice or listened to Arcade Fire." - Paul, Zeitville Substack I just loved this observation from Paul, because this has been my entire ... read more >
Picture it: you’re given a basket of lemons, and you decide you don’t want the lemons, so you do your best to force those lemons to become brownies. You work as hard as you can, hoping to turn those lemons into brownies. Others give you encouragement by telling you those aren’t lemons; they are brownies. ... read more >
Ever since my mom died, I cry in H Mart.– Michelle Zauner, Crying in H Mart I can relate. I cry every time I hear the Temptations sing, “Silent Night.” We read this book in the Craft of Reading Class I took with UC Berkeley Extension. I was apprehensive about reading this book when I ... read more >
This week I turn 45, and the first four years of my forties have sucked for the most part, but there are signs that this baby is beginning to turn around. Counting my wins I tend to catastrophize, and life seems to be moving in a better direction. The first seven months of 2026 were ... read more >
I have been looking forward to seeing Earth, Wind, and Fire and Lionel Richie in concert for months. This was going to be my first big concert in over ten years, and I was excited to hear my favorite songs from the elements like “Fantasy”, “Reasons”, “Devotion,” “September,” and more. I was also super excited ... read more >
Taking Risks is hard; settling is harder As I turn 45, one of the hardest lessons I have learned is that taking risks is hard, but settling is even harder. Living a life you settled for, choosing the short stick, and never taking much risk may feel comfortable and not require giving up much control, ... read more >
For the last year, I have been lamenting the lost years of COVID. I’ve also ruminated on all the time and opportunities I have squandered. It’s led to a sense of urgency that I need to do something major to get this train back on schedule because ten years is a lot of time to ... read more >
I have been exploring the concept of home. What makes a place or a person feel like home? Is San Francisco my home? San Francisco is technically my home because I was born here and it’s where my family lives. Other than that, there’s nothing that makes me feel like San Francisco is home to ... read more >
Here we are in June, and I am still wondering why my year of yes hasn't been very dramatic, and why I haven't said yes to anything major. I have a theory. In the Bible, when the children of Israel are about to enter the Promised Land, God tells Moses that he will drive out ... read more >
Every year I do what I call my 40 for whatever age I'm turning. This year is 40 for 45. For forty days, I ask myself some deep questions about what I want for the year ahead. I used to do it as a prayer exercise with Mark Batterson's Draw the Circle prayer challenge, but ... read more >
