The New Year began in silence. After the temple near my home in Chiba, Japan struck the 108th bell for purification at midnight, silence...

I rest under the tree and feel the breeze caressing my skin. The passing cloud reminds me of constant changes in life. I'm on a retreat...

I love spending time outdoors. I enjoy taking photos of the beauty around me while hiking or just relaxing in my backyard. Lying on the...

You cannot value dreams according to the odds of their coming true. Their real value is in stirring within us the will to aspire. That...

Another gust slammed into my one-person tent, forcefully pushing its wall toward my lying body. The sound of howling wind echos through...

“If you don’t raise the bar, how will you know your potential? - L. Tom Perry As a cloud moves over the sun, the shadow rolls down the...

I have read Matthew McConaughey’s advice about never saying, “I can’t” when dealing with a challenge¹. It is the teaching he received...

“One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, …” A volleyball bounces between us with childlike joy. “Twelve, thirteen, fourteen, …” Our...

Here I am again. I reached a Y junction. I must choose between two options. I go over the numbers once more. The first list shows the...

Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves. — Henry David Thoreau American culture has an aversion to getting lost. Our...

“Don’t make any big changes in the first year of grieving,” my grief counselor warned me. “Relocation, a new relationship, career...

The dancing flames light up the dark yard. The cracking sounds of firewood echo through the night. The light reveals the drawings I’m...

Have you ever wondered what makes people successful? Effort, talent, skills, persistence, resilience — there are many success factors....

My life partner, Kimball, and I recently added the Rummy card game to our pastimes. Kimball is a skilled rummy player with good...

Hiking trails are like life paths. Some parts of them are steep inclines, while others are gradual descents. Some go through meadows, and...

I place the tea bowl on my left palm and mindfully turn it twice clockwise. As I bring the bowl to my mouth, the deep aroma of matcha...

"What are your most important values?" This simple question often stops my clients. Awkward smile, silence, "Ah, yeah, hum…" Some clients...

I love spring. Watching new leaves and flowers emerging is uplifting and inspiring. I open the windows, feel the fresh air, and enjoy the...

“Terima kasih (thank you)!” A joyful voice echoes through my memories of Bali. I was fortunate to live on the Island of Gods before...

White sand rolls over the hills until it meets infinity. Golden rays of the rising sun slide along the slopes. The sheer beauty of the...