Welcome to the X.

Nothing is easier than reacting to a feeling or thought. Our brain chemicals unleash a need for speed—the result of which may lead to anywhere from mistake to disaster. I’m not talking about avoiding danger or threats; I’m referring to those internal thoughts that cause…

We are good at living in our heads, grinding our thoughts to dust. In my own case, I want to make sure that I have thought through all the possibilities and potential outcomes before I come to a decision. But honestly, there’s a time and…

The rhythmic ‘brush, brush, brush’ of broom against the deck can be hypnotic and relaxing. So there I was, on a breezy afternoon with leaves raining down, sweeping my deck. Several thoughts crossed my mind as I moved broom across the wooden slats, pushing detritus…

“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down "happy". They told me I didn't understand…

  It’s difficult not to draw parallels between our lives in Chapter X and autumn. After all, to put it bluntly, it is the autumn of our lives. Sounds terrible, right? Well, it doesn’t have to. Consider the following: Take some time and watch leaves…

If my mind is focused on a specific task and something or someone disrupts my progress, I tend to get annoyed. Not screaming, raging, aggressive annoyance, but a feeling of uuuugggghhhh. You know that feeling, right? But interruptions can be fuel for growth. They can…

I took a walk. My mind swimming with the news, with work, with all the chattering of my over-filled brain. I was alone. No phone—no music. Just me and the trees and whatever small (or large) animals occupied the surrounding woods. Just me and the…