Personal Growth & Longevity

generational curses

145: Unloading Generational Baggage

Baggage tracks as a description given the amount of emotional weight that's often carried from one generation to the next. Worse, your baggage forces its heavy burden, in some instances, onto the shoulders of more than one generation. And the burden often leads, unfortunately, to emotional trauma, physical

resilience

144: If You Hear the Music, Why Not Dance?

Dancing isn't something that comes naturally to most people. But once you hear the music, talented or not, something in you wants to move. That's why I think the dance is a perfect analogy for the life you live whatever decade you're in. Sure,

reading

143: How a Re-Reading Mindset Can Sharpen Your Wisdom as You Age

I recently joined Ryan Holiday's Read to Lead program. The stoic philosophy writer, speaker, and independent bookstore owner believes that leading an impactful life begins with being well-read. One of the program's modules involves re-reading a book you love. The reasoning behind Holiday'

reinvention

142: Is Reinvention Still Possible...for You?

Answer the title's question for yourself. And as you're processing it, perhaps a reminder from a previous essay will help. I truly believe in the wonder and power of being a renaissance person or defining your second-half as your personal renaissance era and your time

aging

141: "Yes, and…" Your Approach to Aging

A season four episode (Episode Seven) of a favorite streaming series, Apple TV's Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis), introduced me to a fresh way of thinking about life, and certainly about the aging journey. Coach Alice (Tanya Reynolds) for the AFC Richmond Lady Greyhounds was attempting to reframe her

emotional health

140: Are You as Prepared Emotionally as You Are Financially While Aging?

Thoughts of the later years typically trend towards wondering if you'll have enough income to enjoy life in the so-called retirement years. I've used a phrase through the years to describe the desire for financial solvency: "I don't want to end up

legacy

139: A Slight Adjustment to How I View My Legacy

I'm rethinking my approach to legacy. Not a major overhaul rather a slight adjustment to the timing relative to how I perceive it's value. I'll let Jim Collins explain. Collins' latest book (as I'm writing this), What to Make of a

strength

138: Gather Strength as You Go

Ryan Holiday shares the following compelling insight in his book, The Obstacle is the Way, "Margaret Thatcher didn’t become known as the Iron Lady until she was sixty years old. There’s a saying in Latin: Vires acquirit eundo (We gather strength as we go). That’s how

dolly parton

137: What a Legacy! Thank You Dolly

Dolly Parton. What can you say about her that hasn't already been said and will continue to be said following her death on August 25, 2026? While talk of her music industry legacy is an obvious part of the global narrative, Dolly's consistently down-home, unpretentious,

music

136: Listen to the Music

I'm into music. Always have been. And my music tastes vary depending on my mood or the moment I'm in. I'm partial to the 70s and consider that music decade to be unrivaled. Even so, I'm keen on current artists—especially if

resilience

135: Do You Have Enough?

What's enough? I'm not talking about possessions, money, or friends? I'm more interested in the essence of what gives your life meaning, contentment, and purpose. Enough came to mind recently as I was reflecting on an article I read that considered the word "

action

134: Are You Living at the Wishing-Well?

Wishes are typically kept a secret. You blow out the candles, attach a wish to a falling star, or stand at a wishing well with coins in hand and make a wish that only you're privy to. There are wishes that those who've aged past you

legacy

133: Be a Builder

Some people are planners and some are builders. My father-in-law was both: a meticulous planner and a skilled builder. Although, I think craftsman is a much better description than builder in his case. But build he did... Of utmost value relative to his faith driven legacy, he built

worst-case scenarios

132: The Cognitive Relief of a Plan-B as You Age

Anticipation (positive or negative) plays all kinds of mental games with us as we age. One moment you're feeling mighty fine and in the next moment a physical twinge or a hitch in your lifestyle signals an uh-oh moment. Could be nothing, but then your mind opens

life span

131: 3 Actions That Keep Time on Your Side

We often think about our life in spans of time. New days, birthdays, next month, a new year, or a new decade. And if you approach or cross the 100 year mark - a new century! Spans of time, while a useful measurement, shouldn't represent the end of an

time

130: Where Did the Time Go?

The Stoic philosopher Seneca argued that, "life isn't short, we just waste a lot of it." I tend to agree although I'm still amazed at how a decade passes and I wonder, "didn't I just..." Social media has a way

aging

129: As I Age, There are Three Things I Just Don't Get

Culture these days, has me (and perhaps you) scratching your head more often than not and saying, "I just don't get it!" That simple phrase is another way to imply that something is off or that something's missing that would otherwise be a better

longevity

128: Build a Longevity Mindset That Improves Your Life, Today

"Longevity is having its 15 minutes of fame."1 That's one writer's conclusion on the subject. I'm all-in on longevity though not the trendy, viral, click-bait-y, "15 minutes of fame," brand of all-in. My interest, research,

change

127: How to Future-Proof Your Mind in a World That Changes Fast

Do you ever wonder about the prediction that we would have "flying cars" by now (in 2026)? Sure, we have EVs (Electric Vehicles) but I haven't spotted any with wings yet. Whether or not we're in the flying car era, the future has and

finishing strong

126: It's a Finisher's Attitude That Counts

It's been a little over a month since I completed my second half-marathon in as many years. Post-event drag is common but not permanent as I'll be back out running the streets again soon. Motivation to run drifts on occasion and then I read

One of Those Weeks

You've had them too - am I right? A week when something beyond your control creeps in and you're forced to limp along. I've been a bit "under the weather" this week. But I'll rally. I hope you're staying

facing challenges

125: Facing a Mountain?

I returned from a long road trip earlier this week. Our travels included a variety of terrains: rolling hills, flat grasslands, and mountains. Each have their own appeal but the mountains are the scenic front-runners in my opinion. The thing about mountains is their majestic yet immovable presence. A

longevity

124: If a Doctor Lived to 103, You Might Want to Know His "Secrets"

Guinness World Records recognized Howard Tucker as the oldest doctor ever. Dr. Tucker was a neurologist for more than 75 years until his hospital closed in 2022. Dr. Tucker recently wrote an essay for CNBC and died shortly after doing so on December 22, 2025 at the age of 103.

feeling alive

123: Are You Merely Alive or Are You...Intentionally Alive? (There's a Difference)

Since I frequently write about longevity, I'm in constant search-mode for longevity hacks. In case you're wondering a "longevity hack" loosely speaking is an idea, a process, or a tip for increasing your aging capacity - hopefully in a way that will improve your

moments

122: Got a Moment?

Wake up. Sip your coffee or your favorite morning beverage. Breathe the fresh morning air - preferably outdoors. Those are priceless moments. Waking, tasting, breathing, each are something to be grateful for. The longer you're alive the more meaningful such moments are. Life is an ongoing series of moments,