• If You Agree to Disagree, Then Understand Why

    Years ago, a friend of mine and I discussed an important idea about human relationships. He argued that we should focus on where we agree with others, rather than where we disagree. This struck me as a good concept to ponder further. Eventually, my thoughts on the matter grew into what became this essay. Basically,…

  • Celebrating Infinite Diversity

    Why We Should Embrace Our Differences In the world we live in today, it’s tempting to try and force people into cookie-cutter boxes based on their race, gender, or sexual orientation. But, we must remind ourselves that every person has their own unique set of circumstances, experiences, and perspective on the world. Only by embracing…

  • The Road Worth Taking

    As a child, I often spoke out of turn and perhaps it was only because I had so much to say and a desperate need to be heard. I spent so many years speaking in circles, never able to turn off the roundabout in my mind, wondering which road was worth taking. Eventually I chose…

  • The Mindless Things

    Too many nights, I find myself wide awake. Most of them are spent mindlessly mulling over pursuits that, on the surface, are the intellectual equivalent of scrolling through memes that fail to amuse me. Somewhere in the back of my mind, there’s a small, tired voice gently reminding me that maybe this isn’t the best…

  • Not All Qualifications Are Created Equal

    When we think of qualifications, we should not think of pieces of paper. It’s not that these certificates, Diplomas, awards, and whatnot are bad. They are affirmations that represent the completion of particular tasks or goals. They are useful symbols but in my experience they can be greatly overrated. Like with anything else, not every…

  • Creativity, Genius, and the Nature of Understanding

    I’ve been labeled a “genius” by various well-meaning folks over the years. Some of them even dared to slap on the more flattering “creative genius” tag. I suppose I should be flattered, but honestly, I’ve always found it a bit bewildering. Maybe it’s my tragic flaw, but I just don’t see it. Sure, I’ve got…

  • Midnight Muses

    There’s a particular kind of madness that strikes in the dead of night. When sleep eludes me, my restless mind decides to throw a parade of fleeting thoughts. Sheer brilliance flashes in those moments but, by morning, rarely do I remember what any of it meant. My unconscious mind, in its infinite wisdom, occasionally gifts…

  • What Makes a Master Photographer?

    As a master photographer, Emily Slatin has a wide-ranging array of both color and black & white photography since 1998 on her personal website, RescueGirl557. She’s an expert at both film photography and digital photography, the latter which she currently takes with her two Leica digital cameras.   Recently, I spoke to Emily about her passion…

  • The Poetic Nonfiction and Photography of One Emily Slatin

    This was the first sponsored post that Emily ever paid me for, and therefore I must preserve it in spirit in these pages. Back as I was wont to do every day in 2020, I ran one of my typical morning threads on Twitter. Typically, they were of the #writerslift variety. My hope with these…

  • How Winnie the Pooh Surpassed Star Wars as the 3rd Highest Grossing Media Franchise

    In a plot twist more unexpected than Jar Jar Binks’ continued existence, Winnie the Pooh has quietly slathered honey all over the ambitions of the Star Wars franchise, emerging as the third highest-grossing media empire. Yes, you heard it right. That honey-obsessed bear, who can barely put on a pair of pants, has outperformed lightsaber-wielding…