Essays

Hallowed: 1) holy, consecrated <the church stands on hallowed ground>

2) sacred, revered <the university’s hallowed halls> <hallowed customs>

Hollow: an unfilled space : cavity, hole

It seems that institutions that once seemed paramount to a “civilized”, prosperous and growing culture are crumbling – or at least being brought into question – like never before.

Or maybe we’re just more aware of it because of the scale of the problem and speed of the news cycle. …

As I will probably say in many blogs, I’m all too aware that there are people that know way more than I do regarding just about everything I write. Generally, I’m just making observations as a casual but curious (and concerned) bystander. Often I find that my thoughts about a lot of things haven’t changed that much from when I was, say, four years old.

So with all that being said. This is what my four-year-old self thought this week.

I’m surprised that we’re not further along in our …

My book, Life is What You Make It, has been received very well. It’s been translated into over 15 languages and sold over a half a million copies. But every time I’m asked to speak about it, there’s a small part of me that just can’t get behind the title.

For many of us, it’s true. We’re defined by the choices we make and the stories we believe. Wrong turns become unpredicted life lessons that help us find our way. Seemingly impossible odds become just the thing that propels us into …