Nov 16Member-onlyHow The Struggles Of Opening A Small Town Bookstore Made Me A Better WriterThere was more than one moment in the depths of the pandemic that the decision to open a small town bookstore seemed like the absolute worst idea in the world — a monument to arrogance and self-indulgence. At first we couldn’t open. Then we didn’t feel right opening. Then a…Stoicism5 min readStoicism5 min read
Nov 2Member-onlyThe 16 Greatest Lessons From 16 Years With Marcus AureliusJust over sixteen years ago, I bought Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations on Amazon. Amazon Prime didn’t exist then and to qualify for free shipping, I had to purchase a few other books at the same time.Life Lessons7 min readLife Lessons7 min read
Oct 19Member-onlyIf You Try To Do Everything, You Won’t Do AnythingIn 1956 Harry Belafonte placed a call to Coretta Scott King. With her husband arrested once again, he wanted to check in with her and see how she was doing and what the movement might need. Except they could barely carry on a conversation, because Coretta kept being pulled away…Philosophy6 min readPhilosophy6 min read
Oct 5Member-onlyThe Secret To Avoiding BurnoutTwo years into writing my latest book, Discipline is Destiny, I hit a wall. There is no word other than “despair” for what I was feeling. Doubt? One always has that. This was deeper. No, this was a fear that the book would not come together. That I had chosen…Stoicism5 min readStoicism5 min read
Sep 28Member-onlyThis is the Most Important Decision of Your LifeIt was long ago now that Hercules came to the crossroads. At a quiet intersection in the hills of Greece, in the shade of knobby pine trees, the great hero of Greek myth first met his destiny. Where exactly it was or when, no one knows. We hear of this…Stoicism5 min readStoicism5 min read
Sep 14Member-onlyDiscipline is Destiny: 25 Habits That Will Guarantee You SuccessThe ancients were fond of an expression: Character is fate. It means that character is deterministic, that who you are determines what you will do. Self-discipline is one of those special things that is both predictive and deterministic. It both predicts that you will be great, AND it makes whatever…Philosophy11 min readPhilosophy11 min read
Aug 31Member-only12 Extraordinary Stoic MomentsUnlike the “pen-and-ink philosophers,” as the type was derisively known even 2,000 years ago, to the Stoics, Stoicism is something you DO. They were most concerned with how one lived. The choices you made, the causes you served, the principles you adhered to in the face of adversity. …Stoicism15 min readStoicism15 min read
Aug 17Member-onlyWhy I Pick up Trash at the BeachI have lived on a rural country road for many years. It is unpaved and unmaintained by the county or the state, lined with trees, and more frequently crossed by deer and jack rabbits than people. It’s a throwback to an older, simpler way of life. It’s also a throwback…5 min read5 min read
Aug 3Member-onlyThis Is The Best Career Decision You Can Possibly MakeAt birth, each of us is original. Our DNA has never existed before on this planet. No one will ever have our unique set of experiences. No one will ever have our totally unique point of view. There has never been anyone like us…and there never will be again. We…Careers5 min readCareers5 min read
Jul 13Member-onlyThe Things You Think Matter…Don’tI dropped out of college. When this happened it was a big deal — to my parents anyway. Then it was a big deal when people met me because they were constantly surprised by it. You didn’t finish college?! …5 min read5 min read
