The rabbit holes run deep in my life. I have many priorities that I’ve collected over the years. The past couple of years of regularly meditating on this statement have illuminated this fact. If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today? It’s a profound question that pushes me to think about why I engage in any activity. Two years later and I’m still struggling with too many priorities. ...

I lost a friend today. I used to work with him when I lived in California. Shortly after he moved to Oregon with his wife, I also moved to Oregon with my family. We both talked about meeting up somewhere, but we never got around to it. Adult friendship = 2 people saying "I haven't seen you in forever! We should really hang out more" over and over again until one of you dies ...

Knowing yourself is life’s greatest puzzle. After almost ten decades on this planet, I am still constantly locking pieces and learning that some don’t quite fit. It’s truly a never-ending story that is both frustrating and rewarding. Who am I? It’s not an easy question to answer. Experiences, genetics, thoughts, behaviors, and a multitude of other attributes are what many people use to define themselves. A few people believe we don’t exist, and what people believe us to be is simply a character on the stage of life. ...

Existential threats are plentiful in the modern age. Once upon a time, humans could count their threats on one hand. The threats of antiquity were tangible and easy to understand. Wild animals, poisonous lifeforms, a nearby village, and sharp rocks were the threats of the day. In the modern era, we can indulge in the fear of losing all our wealth at the drop of a hat, a nuclear bomb dropping, a worldwide pandemic, and a multitude of other threats we read about in the news. I wonder what this is doing to human psychology. ...

A vessel is what I am. I’m part of a complex system of connections in a world of connections. Like the roots of a tree, my existence depends on how deep it goes. Have my roots dug far enough to understand the world I live in? Never, for more roots do not take away from the tree. One can learn so much about themselves by understanding the balanced existence of a tree. ...