Hey there, In this morning’s story (day 3 of The Zen Monkey and the Lotus Flower), Bodhi the monkey gives a simple reminder: beauty without function can become a burden. A gold-plated watering can is useless to a hare with no garden. Nice to look at, sure. But lug it around long enough and all that shine starts to feel heavy. The story resonates, but not because I’m hoarding any ornate garden tools, but because I’ve been doing my best to live with a new piece of anatomy that’s all function,...
1 day ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, In today’s story, an elephant named Ganesha loses his companions and ends up alone, wandering through the forests of Sri Lanka. After months of searching for his friends, he collapses beside a lake, exhausted. A turtle appears and tells him that connection isn’t something you always have to chase from others. Sometimes, it’s already there. Through breath, nature, stillness, and paying attention to everything alive within and around you. It reminded me of what Rick Hanson calls...
2 days ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, We’re putting Resilient on ice and starting something new: The Zen Monkey and the Lotus Flower. It’s a collection of 52 short stories. Probably meant to be read once a week, but we’ll be doing one each day. That should carry us through the next couple months of this daily reflection. The first story is about a young monk named Tenzin. He tells his teacher he can’t stay present. His thoughts keep drifting. The master walks him to a stream and asks, “Where is the water?” Tenzin...
3 days ago • 1 min read
In today’s chapter from Rick Hanson’s book Resilient, he breaks down two kinds of pain: first darts and second darts. First darts are the inevitable stuff, life’s little gut punches. Something hard happens. It stings. You can’t control it. Second darts are what we throw afterward. The rumination. The self-blame. The spiral. I had my own first dart a few days ago. A bathroom incident. Not going to get into the details, but it knocked me off center. The second dart was worse. My brain replaying...
4 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, I started the “Confidence” chapter of Resilient this morning. Most of it ties back to how your childhood shapes you, how feeling safe and loved early on builds secure attachment and confidence. If you didn’t have that, it takes intentional work as an adult. Brains can change, but it’s never easy. One thing the author mentioned that stuck with me was how having his own child allowed him to heal and give his kid what he didn’t get. That felt meaningful. But for me, I mostly think...
5 days ago • 1 min read
Hey there, I’ve got a hitting lesson at 9, a couple calls this afternoon, and the usual low-level packing stress. Monday I leave for Newport, then head west through the Philippines, Malaysia, India, England, and finally back to Florida for the United Ostomy Conference. It’s a long stretch. I’ll need to bring a full setup of supplies. Not just a few extras. A real inventory. Adhesive, wafers, backup bags, support wear, scissors, wipes, stoma powder, belts. It’s a second suitcase at this point....
7 days ago • 1 min read
Hi there, Evan Beard passed away last night. He’d been battling cancer for years. In and out of remission. Always fighting. Yet, somehow still always showing up with that easy smile. That kindness. That way of making every single person feel seen. Anyone that's been to Wake Up Coffee on St. Simons Island knew Evan. Or you felt him, even if you didn’t know his name. He was the heartbeat of the business. He made that place what it was. What it still is. Back in 2013, I was living on the island....
7 days ago • 2 min read
Hey there, Yesterday was rough, but I don’t want to dwell on it. Just one of those moments that reminded me I’m still getting used to this version of me. The new routines, the fatigue, the unpredictability. I assumed that once the pain went down, my energy would shoot up. But that hasn’t happened yet. My legs feel heavy most days. Like I’m walking through water. It’s frustrating. I keep thinking I should be further along. From today's excerpt of Resilient by Rick Hanson: “If a person doesn’t...
9 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, I had coffee with Malan this morning. Fin was heading to the vet. I got to see him before he left. Still his cheerful little self. No idea what was coming. After that, I recorded a podcast with Karen Mitchell from Pickleball England. It was a great conversation. A lot of interesting insights around the national and global governance landscape. I left feeling settled. Productive. Focused. I went to a coffee shop to get some work done. I ordered a refill. Then I headed to the...
9 days ago • 2 min read