When Steve Jobs returned to Apple after a 12-year absence, the company was facing a crisis. Quickly running out of cash and close to bankruptcy, Jobs explained his plan to get the company going again. “Apple is not about making boxes for people to get their jobs done, although we do that well. Apple is […]
8 Reasons to Travel While You’re Young
Shortly before I became a new parent, I heard a lot of people tell me how my traveling days were over. “Traveling with kids is too expensive,” they said, or “it’s too difficult to arrange.” When my son was two months old, I got his first passport. He’s almost one year old now and he’s […]
This Too Shall Pass: Why a Peaceful Life is Found in Impermanence
In ancient Persia, a sultan called upon all his wisest men and asked them if there was a mantra he could follow that would help him get through any situation, no matter the time or place, in every joy and sorrow, defeat and victory. After thinking for a long time on such a puzzling question, the […]
7 Reasons Why Helping Others Will Make You Live a Better Life
A few years ago, while I was teaching a writing class abroad in Morocco, one of my student’s parents asked to talk to me. She noticed her son had made major progress in his writing and wanted to let me know she appreciated my effort to make the work fun and engaging. Her appreciation was […]
Stop Worrying About Making the Right Decision
Through the course of our lives, we’re confronted with a lot of big decisions. Who should I marry? Should I quit the job I don’t like or stay in it? What major do I want to pursue in college? We worry about such decisions because they have a huge impact on our lives. The major […]
9 Things People Who Love Their Lives Do Differently
“Your mission: Be so busy loving your life that you have no time for hate, regret or fear.” – Karen Salmansohn I love the way this quote describes loving life as a “mission”. This word infuses the search for a life you love with the sense of purpose and importance it deserves. Building a life […]
This Powerful Mindset Helped John Steinbeck Write His Greatest Novels
During John Steinbeck’s long career as a writer, he created some of the most beloved and acclaimed works in literature including such masterpieces as Of Mice and Men, East of Eden and The Pearl. I’ve always been fascinated by his work so last year I set a goal to read every book published under his […]