Comebacks In any competition, early leaders can get complacent and be surpassed by those who started behind. Initial success leads to idleness while adversity fuels creative growth. The rapid success frontrunners achieve early on makes them idle and stagnant. Meanwhile, those counted out early must work harder to catch up, finding solutions and building momentum. […]
To be wholly good True goodness requires more than token acts of charity or empty gestures made for appearances. To be authentically and wholly good demands that we examine our lives and let go of whatever holds us back from fully embodying goodness. Outer performances of virtue mean little if we harbor prejudices, cling to […]
Designing for positive externalities When designing policies, products, or services, we should consider how they can create positive spillover effects or externalities that benefit society. Too often, businesses and organizations focus narrowly on financial returns without accounting for social impacts. But well-designed initiatives can simultaneously achieve an organization’s goals while also improving conditions for the […]
Categorizing analytically versus categorizing in reality Categorizing people analytically can be a useful fiction for understanding broad trends and patterns in human behavior and identity. However, we must be cautious not to let these analytical categories overly determine how we perceive and engage with actual individuals in reality. Each person is far more complex than […]
When things are combined in a seamless way, it allows for new properties and capabilities to emerge that did not previously exist in the individual components alone. Take an orchestra for example. The various sections – strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion – each have their own unique musical qualities. But when brought together and blended in […]
To be relentlessly good requires great inner strength and conviction. It is easy to behave morally when times are easy, but when faced with adversity, many falter. To remain steadfastly virtuous in the face of hardship and temptation, one must possess profound reserves of determination and resilience. The well from which relentless goodness springs must […]
When individuals come together in harmony and flow, something magical emerges that is bigger than any one person. Aligned in purpose, a synergistic energy allows the group to achieve heights unattainable alone. Yet this transcendence requires suspending ego and listening deeply to connect with others authentically. When we embrace diverse viewpoints, synthesizing them into a […]
A baby’s needs are simple – to be nourished, kept warm and safe, and showered with affection. And nothing delights an infant more than a loving caregiver letting go of all inhibitions to play wholeheartedly. Babies beam with joy when we make silly faces, funny sounds, and goofy gestures just to bring a smile. From […]
True excellence calls us to be more in every facet of life. It is not enough to achieve prominence in one area while neglecting others. The highest human potential requires balancing commitments to family, community, work, spirituality, and health. While extraordinary talent in any single dimension commands admiration, we must also attend to the wholeness […]
Doubt is a natural part of any faith journey. A reasonable doubt, born of an open and questioning mind, can actually strengthen faith by challenging us to deepen our understanding and commitment. However, doubt that springs from fear, apathy, or cowardice serves only as an obstacle to faith. Blind faith with no room for inquiry […]