I haven't done a recipe in a long time! I love food and think about it pretty much constantly, so this is a tragic oversight. Sadly, I just don't make enough deliciousness these days that's worth sharing. Lately it's just "get home, throw some stuff in the oven or in a pot and hope for … Continue reading Triple Garlic, Smoked Chicken Sausage, and Fennel Soup
These are some heavy (rim shot!) thoughts to be having at the gym, but I kind of like that. It's a good reminder to me that everyone here is going through their own stuff and situated deeply in their own minds. Maybe I can use this to learn to be more gracious about what people … Continue reading In-Between Thoughts 3.15.19 – Grief
There's a tension between standing up for what is right, unapologetically and strongly, and the need to "meet people where they are" to have a productive dialogue and, frankly, to having the best chance to change their minds. The first works well for policy changes, the second better interpersonally. I don't have much to say … Continue reading Changing policies, changing minds
I did sumo deadlifts today! I am enjoying this lift so far. It really targets the glutes and inner thighs, so it's slightly different-feeling than my regularly-scheduled deadlifts. I've had the same routine for a while now, so even this little modification is a nice, invigorating change. Now onto thinking thoughts of the thinker variety... … Continue reading In-Between Thoughts 3.11.19: Meaning-making
Diane and I recorded a new podcast episode exploring the relationship between happiness and pleasure. I really like how Martin Seligman, one of the creators of the field of positive psychology, characterizes happiness: an overall state, the arc of a life that includes more positively-valenced feelings than negatively-valenced feelings. AOV Episode 24: Happiness/Pleasure The three … Continue reading Happiness and the meaningful life, and how Hawaii both helps and hurts (new-ish AOV episode)
Oh hey, guess what? I like philosophy! I'm taking two classes this next semester, one on early Indian Buddhist philosophy and one on David Hume. Indian Buddhist philosophy is very, very new to me, so it's been interesting to approach a really new, different philosophy. Interesting and frustrating, as I feel more like I'm intellectually … Continue reading Thoughts on approaching philosophy
How about a listicle to end the month?! WHY NOT. I'd like to start collecting some of the best things I read the previous month. Shameless easy-out on a blog post? MAYBE. Delightful romp through my learnings of the past 30 days? MOST DEFINITELY. Ok, enough shouting. On to the good stuff... what I read … Continue reading The best things I read in February
You know that feeling where you get so annoyed by the mess in your house and by the person who leaves his stuff EV-ERY-WHERE, then you go on a tear and start cleaning everything and realize that it's actually YOUR stuff that is EV-ERY-WHERE and that it is actually YOU who is the slob, and … Continue reading ANNOYED AT MYSELF
At the risk of overselling the power of mantras (I am no big fan of The Secret), practicing my three mantras has really changed the emotional tone of my days. I've always struggled with anxiety, and speaking these to myself throughout the day has done something pretty marvelous to my sense of peace, calm, and humble … Continue reading Grateful for the struggle
There is such beauty in those friends who think well of us enough to believe we have the potential and ability to be better than we are. Friends who exhort us to be better, not in a shaming spirit ("you are not good enough as you are") but in the way that sees what we're … Continue reading Finding the sweet spot for challenging our friends
