Making a list of failures is never an easy task. I mean, who wants to look at what went wrong? Who wants to recall the low points? Who wants to revisit the times you tumbled down the cliff and landed at the bottom, broken and bleeding? I do. Not because I’m a psychopathic sadist, but…
Ask just about anyone who keeps up with Broadway, and most people will agree that it’s having a bit of a teen musical Moment. Broadway musicals for and about teenagers are a relatively new phenomenon in the grand scheme of things. 2006’s Spring Awakening was arguably the turning point, at least in terms of offering a musical…
I was having a conversation on relationships today and got pretty triggered by a comment from my partner, Mr. Brooks. He said, “I don’t believe relationships should be work.” His mother warned me at a dinner earlier last month of this belief he held; she and I had a laugh over wine at the thought…
I’ve been running regularly for almost 18 years. Before today, believe it or not, I’ve never actually reflected on this amount of time. It honestly took me by surprise. I began to think: what’s kept me interested all this time? Through injury and setback, trial and tribulation, success and accomplishment, why have I continued to…
Deadlines. New demands. Rising expectations. If you’re like most accomplished professionals, you spend most of your day fighting off requests from other people. They want your time, energy, and expertise. Since you’re a loyal team player, you’re happy to give it. Perhaps you’re also the last one to leave at the end of the day…
In school, perfectionism is often rewarded, but in life, it can hold you back. Perfectionism served me well in the 1980’s American public school system. I checked and double-checked my answers on tests so I didn’t make careless errors. I turned in highly polished work and received bonus points for good presentation (usually by adding…
There’s a tradeoff between fitness and socializing, but you can have it both ways. If we’re being honest, most of us aren’t into fitness for our health. Sure, if you’re obese maybe your doctor told you to lose weight. But for the rest of us, fitness is really about looking good. We want sixpack abs.…
Here’s a puzzle: You’re sociable. You’re fun to be around. You’ve got self-deprecating stories and an archive of jokes that lighten the mood of any group. You’re spontaneous. You’re good-looking — so much so, in fact, that a night out often turns into a semi-romantic escapade. You’re genuinely interested in other people, and you always…
Dear Thin Friend, we’ve been planning this trip for months, and the day is finally here. I’m so excited to be embarking on this adventure with you. It fills me with joy to be traveling with you to far-off lands to experience new cultures and reach a level of relaxation neither of us has felt for…