#47: Wear and Peace.

Wear and peace. Not war--wear. Not tear--peace. Life leaves its lines and blemishes. Reminders of the path we've tread; the reason for here and now. And the invitation to be intentional about the path forward, for through the wear we know more.

With knowledge and intention we make peace with what was and then expand.

#46: Authentic Chameleon.

Authentic chameleon. It seems like an oxymoron at face value but the apparent change in color of chameleons is really an adjustment to how light reflects off their skin as a reaction to external stimuli. A reaction to protect while remaining exposed, while remaining open. Just revealing a new hue in order to meet you where you are.

Different shades of me.

#45: Our Internal Lives.

Our internal lives. Often they are so different from what can be gleaned from the outside. It doesn't mean we are inauthentic. What has been decided shows and what still needs refinement is held beneath the surface, percolating with intensity and desire.

Let us keep watch and shepherd that which is meant to come forth. Ever evolving. Better iterations of ourselves permeating through.

#44: Knowing the Agenda.

Knowing the agenda. Deciphering the reason for the message takes effort and attention. Rarely are the agenda explicit for the inputs we consume though we are influenced by them nonetheless.

Knowing when to care to know the agenda is key.

#43: The Lull.

The lull. Somewhere between anticipation and triumph lives the lull. It’s where transformation happens and the feeling is void of pleasant sensation. There are no fireworks or endorphins. Pure commitment and trust that whatever inspired this journey was an earnest calling.

Stay the course. Stay the course.

#42: Fitting vs. Suiting.

Fitting vs. suiting. It fits because you've done or seen it before, you have experience, you understand it, people who look like you do it, people who have been where you have been do it.

But you have changed. Your frame has shifted and you see yourself in a different position on the board. Where you are no longer suits what is in your mind's eye.

So, take on a new posture and make your move.

#41: Laying the Track.

Laying the track. The commitment to produce something requires that a track is laid to move the train of contribution from its origin to the place where it is needed. Day by day, track by track.

No matter what the day brings, keep laying down good track.

#40: Making Plans.

Making plans. When a set of circumstances on which we make plans changes, the path forward becomes blurry again. The key to a flow state is not regretting the time spent on what was. It built what is now and with gratitude we turn around and look toward what is to come.

#39: Analysis and Intuition.

Analysis and intuition. Like science and faith. I don't believe they are mutually exclusive. Perhaps, an open mind can see how they are supremely complementary.

Smart analysis provides insight into what can be seen. Say, "thank you" and then let intuition be the judge. It knows when to let the numbers lead and when to trust what we can't yet see.

The final analysis of hindsight usually proves intuition right.

#38: New Eyes.

New eyes. Carnations are often seen as inferior flowers these days. But some varieties can be mistaken for a bouquet of roses in full bloom at quick glance. Plus they are hardy, affordable, and full of history. What’s not to love?

Perspective is key.

#37: Landing.

Landing. Looking out of the window when a plane is landing, I feel myself come closer and closer with every passing second to what once was a distant civilization. I watch it in motion from above and it seems so complete. I am humbled by my insignificance. But when my feet touch the ground, I become part of that civilization and will impart something from whence I have come before departing.

Insignificant no more.

#36: Unexpected.

Unexpected.

Learning that someone you didn’t suspect holds you in high esteem.

Learning that someone to whom you thought you were almost invisible was genuinely happy to hear from you.

Discovering that you are good at something you didn’t realize had either come naturally or inconspicuously developed through experience.

Having something to say in a blog post within a few minutes of staring blankly at the screen.

Unexpected has turned into pleasantly surprised.

#35: Camera Ready.

Camera ready. Zooming to a version of ourselves that is pleasing in the way of a bust sculpture. What did the artists of antiquity know? The bust format allows for our 'most distinctive characteristics' to shine. Only now it's not for art; it's for our livelihoods.

#34: Potential.

Potential. A useless possession without psychosomatic kinesis. Move the mind and body toward action lest that caterpillar never become a butterfly. Imagine a world without butterflies, a world without enough plants and fruit. We all have a part to play.

Metamorphosis is key.

#33: Which Way to Go.

Which way to go. No, which way to go? Not sure, so just try something. Then see what happens and decide whether to keep doing it or pivot.

Just be sure there’s always something you can take with you from one step to the next.

#32: If Only.

If only. “I could focus on building a business if only I could be secure in meeting my current financial obligations and healthcare needs through means that do not demand all of my working capacity.” A common refrain (opportunity).

Remove that obstacle and there will be no excuse.

What if those conditions technically exist now? Even if not to an ideal degree, acknowledging an existing path through the obstacle creates an obligation to produce. Or at least to begin planting seeds—seeds whose fruit will widen that path.

Stay in the garden.

#31: Believing.

Believing. That’s not all it takes, but nothing much will happen without it.

Subconscious, deeply seated lack of belief in oneself must be the main culprit for certain valleys we wander. The decision to truly believe in oneself, cellular belief, is the missing link to constructing the ride out of the valley.

Since it’s a decision and not a feeling, how do I express my belief everyday?

#30: Missing Nothing.

Missing nothing. My hope is not to miss any phase of my life but to embrace them as they unfold so that I can look back on them feeling full and satisfied at having had the experience and produced a life that I’m enjoying in a whole new way.

Is this what ‘no regrets’ means?

#29: Compost Pile.

Compost pile. Life can be like this. A mixture of scraps with little to no value on their own become fresh black gold that nourishes the earth. But only scraps of the right kind and proportion given time and air. In the meantime, there is heat and stink and mess. The scraps are our lessons and failures and successes and values that, with time and intent and persistence, make for a sweet life full of richness and purpose and contribution.

#28: Science is Art.

Science is art. At the very least, it’s the foundation of art. They certainly aren’t mutually exclusive. Perhaps, our first exposure to this beautiful phenomenon is the rainbow—the original child art object.