Life is a roller-coaster between fear and confidence, insecurity and courage. We oscillate between both without rhyme or reason, never knowing the intricacies of the hidden triggers that allow us to move from one to the other with seeming ease. One moment we can conquer the world, and the next we cannot get out of bed. One moment we’re convinced …
How to Recover From the Death of a Fantasy
I dared to dream. I dared to believe that it was finally over. The moment seemed perfect. The situation felt right. The story seemed to be reaching a conclusion, and for a moment, I could see the light. At first I couldn’t allow myself to believe it. I said “don’t build yourself up for disappointment”. I’ve learned my lesson before. …
The Secrets of Overcoming Jealousy
The child comes into the world to discover it. At first, he is concerned with the physical environment that surrounds him. Shiny objects, smooth surfaces, and bright colors occupy his thoughts. He touches, he sees, he feels, he laughs and he cries. The senses are alive for the very first time, and there is much to experience. Eventually, he notices …
How to Deal With a Gathering ‘Life Storm’
After a glimmer of hope, a period of peace, and a chapter that announced itself as the “light at the end of the tunnel”, a storm begins to gather. Disaster, not yet materialized, has announced itself. It could threaten everything I’ve built. It could destroy the rewards I fought so hard to receive and only tasted for a short time. …
That Moment When You Lose All the Wisdom You’ve Acquired
Recently, I have been navigating through a major life transition. I’m hesitant to call it a transition because it has been going on for seven years and, at the ripe and young age of twenty-five, my memories of predictable times are slowly dissipating. My plans constantly change, my direction is constantly tested, my desires frequently elude me, and the more …
How a Clogged Toilet Helped me Discover the Secret of Life
One Saturday morning I took myself on a hike on the Hollywood mountains. I had never gone hiking by myself before. That morning, for some strange reason, I had the urge to do so. I parked my car, changed my shoes, and walked up the mountain. The decision was so out of character that it felt like somebody else had …
Do you make these mistakes on your quest for true love?
In our 20s, the search for true love is a mask for the fear of uncertainty. Love, with its undisputed status as human being’s most powerful drug, is the subject of choice most artistic expression in popular culture. The stories we heard as children, the songs we listened to as teenagers, and the films we watched as adults are chalk full …
The Millennial Smoker: a story of unintended professional self-sabotage
I am not going to lecture you on your lungs, your health, or second-hand smoke. I just want to tell you something I wish someone had told me back when I was a pack-a-day-smoker: you are flushing professional opportunities down the toilet. In the past twelve months, I went on a solo trip to Argentina, produced three plays in New …
The 5 Secrets Successful People use to Deal With Enemies in the Workplace
An enemy is someone whose objectives could place you in harm’s way. They either don’t know or don’t care that their decisions could cause irreparable harm to your career. Enemies are never immediately recognizable – they always hide under the cloak of agreeableness until they show their true colors. No matter how pure your intentions or how innocent your heart, …
3 Easy Steps to Discovering Your Life’s Mission in Your 20s
Do you doubt the concept of “an ultimate mission” for your life? Most people your age do. It is common to think about enjoying the present, expecting tomorrow to fall into place on its own. It is common to leave the big decisions for later, expecting the future and present to have some sort of disconnected relationship where one does …