#299 – What can be hiding behind high productivity?I learned a new term today: "high-functioning depression." It's the sort of depression that hides behind a highly productive, often successful, and always full life.Listening to a psychiatrist discus...

#298 – How does the Ego cover up its fear?The Ego fears two things: not knowing, and knowing it's wrong.When it doesn't know, it floods you with second-guessing, flip-flopping, brain fog, or endless polling. Anything to prevent you from trusting...

#297 – What's cozy about keeping an enemy list?Clinging to our grudges seems to put us in a position of power. If I'm the one holding the grudge, I am the one shunning you from "my land," and therefore, I have some power over you. I limit you and, by...

#296 – What part of you resists being "on hold?"Waiting for something to happen––a process to end, your phone to ring, a lab result to arrive––can feel like torture. The uncertainty is unnerving: will it happen? When? What will be the outcome? A...

#295 – Is your mind a true democracy?I don't know of anyone, personally, who doesn't believe democracy is the most beneficial form of governance.But I know many people (myself included, if I'm not vigilant) who allow their minds to be governed like a...

#294 – What has fear cost you so far?My first paid job (after babysitting) was writing for a music magazine. Yet, I didn't go to journalism school.I also loved film and storytelling; I dreamed of making films (writing and directing them). Yet, I...

#293 – What's the key to emotional resilience?This morning I was feeling lonely and sad, as I wrote in my morning pages. Of course, seeing my current situation (son, ankle, underemployment), anyone would understand.Yeah, but. What about the "joy...

#292 – When do high standards turn into "sticklerism?"Caring for quality is one thing; putting others down because we think our work is better is another. That's what I've recognized in myself lately.In my AI project's iterative revision system, I no...

#291 – How does "emotional re-ticketing" put you back in charge?Your emotions are created by your body. They feel like they're imposed on you and there's nothing you can do about it. Feeling afraid? Well, what you're gonna do, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯, that'...

#290 – When did fear make you wiser, wealthier, healthier, or happier?If you ask me, the answer is never.Why, then, do I cling to "fear" as though it were the most reliable compass?Because I'm wired like that––and so are you.Our brain is a prediction...