--> Core Identity Exploration | Art of Adversity

When Values Hold You Back

We all have aspects of ourselves that we proudly define as virtues. These are the traits that we believe are central to our identity and essential to our success. But what if some of these “virtues” are actually rooted in fears that, over time, hold us back from...

Kinetic Imperative

Have you ever needed to do something that just didn’t make sense yet? What is that compelling force that’s nudging you towards something different and maybe even irrational? Despite efforts to suppress it with logic and reason, this is a persisting stirring feeling...

Freedom Mentality

I’d imagine if you’re reading this right now, you hold freedom (or autonomy, flexibility, etc) as a top personal value. But what is freedom, really? We often live as if joy, happiness, and even freedom, are dependent on external sources—a vacation,...

A Case for Initiation Later in Life

I was watching Tom Cruise in the last Mission Impossible the other day and I had a brief moment of defeat accompanied by a thought. I wish I was Tom Cruise. I quickly shook it off and thought, “…am I really jealous of a fake caricature of what I used to do for a...

A Keen Sense of Versatility

“A keen sense of versatility”: having a strong ability to adapt to different situations, tasks, or roles with ease and effectiveness. This person is highly flexible, can handle a variety of challenges, and can switch between different activities or responsibilities...

The Risk of Living

“There is always a certain risk in being alive, and if you are more alive, there’s more risk.” —Henrik Ibsen, A Doll’s House” This is a sentiment that feels deeply true to me especially as I come up on my 43rd birthday. There’s something about creeping into your...