Sometimes before I can explain my understanding I can feel something is true. I know feelings aren't proof. And the scientist inside me always wants to register some heavy doubts about this "feeling of truth."

But I've grown to trust these feelings of truth more and more.

It's been a while since I shared what books I've been reading. To be honest, my reading slowed down a bit and I had a lot of books in my queue.

But I've got some fresh momentum now and I'm excited to share!

I really, really enjoy that moment when I've landed on the "real" problem.

Humor me then as I suggest that it's not just more money causing problems...it's more life experience too!

Have you noticed yourself getting more (mentally) rigid as you age?

An advanced train engine design WAS completed in 1853.

The efforts to discover this design propelled railway travel further in significant ways.

What dream is propelling you forward right now?

I've got some longing in me for more practice, play, and creativity with my writing. And I've also got a (secret, until just now...) dream to publish a book.

Maybe you do too?

One of the big teachings is how deadly criticism is for creativity, play, aliveness….even improvement.

But then another prompt is how powerful and important feedback is.

Who else out there has been thinking feedback and criticism are roughly the same thing?!?!?!

Have you been dutifully figuring out how you can change yourself to be more happy, comfortable, or successful in your current situation?

Maybe you've been:

Working on your mindset. Sharpening your skills. Changing your perspective. Adding more joy & play. Increasing your presence. Delegating. Taking a day off. Adding more self-care.

In other words...you've been doing anything in your power to feel better.

When I first heard this story, I felt a surge of alertness, interest.

I needed to be reminded that - already within me - is the capacity to meet the world with kind curiosity.

Our brains do have a strong tendency to find fault & problems - it's true.

But we also have the wiring to bring a gentle and appreciative attention to life.

When you think about stress - do you have a generally negative or positive reaction?

Many of us have the general attitude: stress = bad.

Headlines (mine included!) about burnout, overwhelm, etc... tend to emphasize the troublesome sides of stress.

Would you be willing to loosen the grip of your inner critic to make room for more creativity, aliveness and flow?

I'm living a lifelong love affair with freedom. In practice, freedom isn't really declared. Freedom is something we must commit and recommit to - again and again.