Trying to anticipate and prepare for sarcastic or “yeah, but” responses to social media posts is an exercise in futility.

It’s more important to estimate the energy, rather than the time, a task will require.

Viewing perfection as wholeness instead of flawlessness can be hugely transformative.

Unless forced, people usually won’t change when or how anyone else thinks they should.

What constitutes enough money is different for everyone.

Listening to music while driving may not be the most optimal audio experience—but it’s the most enjoyable.

Something doesn’t have to feel like hard work to be valid.

When living without the supervision of parents or guardians for the first time, having ice cream for breakfast can seem like a deliciously good idea. It is not.

Divisions between people can often be traced back to differences in how they interpret or perceive an event, a person, a group or a document.

The passion I had for exploring the woods as a kid has not translated to a love of camping or hiking as an adult.

Middle schools, the wellness industry, and the websites of business publications (e.g., HBR and Forbes) are excellent places for observing fads.

To deeply know someone, pay attention. To be deeply known, show vulnerability.

Frequently, adults treat other adults like children.

It’s impossible to see the full beauty of something (or someone) without being fully present.

Nothing invalidates extensive professional experience like a lack of wonder and curiosity.

Sadly, customs at the airport is not where they teach people about a country’s customs.

You can tell a lot about how well someone knows you by the presents they give you, the people they set you up with, and the kind of support they offer when you’re going through a tough time.

Feedback reveals a lot more about the person giving it than the work or behaviors of the person receiving it. That’s why feedback and advice are almost always subjective.

Contemplation can be a playful exercise, but playing requires getting out of one’s own head.

Hardships can help you learn and grow, but so can happiness.

It takes a lot of time to determine one’s unique purpose, values and style. No exercise, book, podcast, class, event, coach or consultant can instantly reveal those truths.

Creative energy is not limitless, so save the big creativity for the clients or customers who truly want it.

Nurses probably aren’t being paid enough.

No one can predict the future. Not psychics. Not meteorologists. Not financial advisors.

Pizza can solve many problems. Pizza parties cannot.

A relatively small number of people know—without asking Google—which movie includes the line, “Come closer so I can tell you something…my coconut is empty.”

Knowing the difference between equality and equity matters.

Better is a subjective word dressed up as an objective one.

In and out lists belong in the out column.

Any time someone tells me about how they experience life and I find myself feeling defensive or dismissive is exactly when I need to be quiet and actively listen.

A first trip to Disneyland is magical at any age.

Drinking enough water is harder than it seems.

Running while listening to music makes the experience feel more like dancing.

Knowing why is helpful in many situations. The end of a relationship is not one of them.

No group or person attracts more vitriol than the one calling out the abuses of a broken system.

More often than not, sarcasm is a weapon rather than a joke.

Psithurism means the sound of wind in the trees—and that sound is one of the best there is.

Sometimes money can buy happiness. (I am reminded of this lesson every time I look up from my desk and see a large photograph of a tiger surrounded by balloons.)

Many decisions don’t require explanations—and remembering that makes life feel lighter.

Major life events will create unexpected chasms or closeness with others (and with time and reflection, it might not be so surprising to see who drifted away).

There are no formulas for finding “your person.” Anyone who says otherwise is selling something. Or has been heavily influenced by someone who is.

Flying a kite at the coast is an unparalleled experience.

Because human beings are complex (and often messy), at some point all of us will be hypocritical. Or paradoxical. Or both.

Gen X grew up in the golden age of children’s public television.

Any business with high levels of empire building and context switching and low levels of focus and humility will burn out its employees.

When I paint, I always reach a point where I’m satisfied with the work. When I write, I never do.

When you have an exceptional “in the top five” meal at a restaurant, recommend the restaurant but never go back.

Unless it’s harmful, there’s no reason to criticize what brings someone else joy.

Life is simultaneously simpler and more complex than we think it is, and yes, the hardest to learn is the least complicated.

Everything I think I know to be true is subject to change—and often will.