It has been a full month. I went to Mississippi to see my mom for a few days and celebrate her 93rd birthday. In that time, I recorded an oral history–asking about her childhood, young adulthood, midlife, and the present.
There was so much to ponder. Perhaps the most striking thing was her willingness to share her observations about challenging times and how she has processed those experiences over time. Some hurt still lingers. Some uncertainty. And yet, there is peace and perspective. Time gives us perspective. It’s hard to have perspective when you are right in the center of a challenge. What is going on? Where is this taking me? How can I respond in the best possible way? At least, those are the questions I find myself asking. I don’t know that my responses are always on point, but I do know that time gives perspective, and I grow a bit with each encounter.
Success in Life
From Shane Parrish
“A lot of success in life is just putting yourself in a position for good things to happen to you.
+ Be reliable
+ Avoid drama
+ Help other people win
+ Take care of your body
+ Take care of your mind
+ Live below your means
+ Treat your job as if it matters
+ Take care of your relationships
Simple, but not easy.”
Gilbert’s Law
from Roya Bloom
“Gilbert’s Law reminds us that problems are not exceptions—they are the rule. And our resistance to them is often the real obstacle.
When we assume things should go smoothly, every bump feels like a failure. Every delay looks like a disaster. But in truth, obstacles are baked into any process that involves people, decisions, and change.
The more complex your goal, the more likely you are to encounter surprises. And the more surprised you are by them, the more energy you waste fighting the wrong battle.”
Emptiness
from Thomas Moore
“Keep some empty easy chairs in your heart, too, so when people come along, there will be places for them to visit and be warmly received. Keep some empty spaces in your head so when a new idea appears, you can entertain it. Be empty so life can happen.
Emptiness may be a profound spiritual achievement, or it may be a quality in ordinary life. The two are related, because a simple empty hour can invite a profound spiritual realization. […] Everything can be empty and therefore open to vast meaning. Even emptiness itself may be empty enough to affect your very existence.”
Resources
This month I’ve added a few resources to the website.
Discovering Your Core Values
It’s time well spent to clarify what actually matters to you—not what should matter, but what does. This interactive worksheet guides you through reflection prompts, value identification exercises, and testing questions to uncover your 3-5 core values. Use it when you’re facing a big decision, feeling misaligned, or simply want more clarity about who you are and what you stand for.
Download Discovering Your Core Values Worksheet
Still Standing: Finding Your Way Forward in the Midst of a Changing Workplace
When your organization restructures or terminates colleagues and you remain, you’re often left carrying an unexpected burden. You kept your job, but something fundamental has shifted. This printable worksheet helps you process what you’re experiencing—from survivor’s guilt to moral injury—and guides you toward clarity about your path forward. Use it when you’re questioning whether to stay or leave, struggling with conflicting emotions, or trying to support others while protecting your own well-being.
Florence Brooks 