culture
Fiction can mean more than “real” stories
Every now and then I run into one of those misguided people who think fiction is not serious reading. But even those of us who like fiction can take it for granted.
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Uncategorized
It takes a spark to start a movement
The people who have changed things in the past weren’t especially brave or rash: they just have a moment happens when something sparks them to take action. That’s all it takes: a spark.
productivity
The slacker’s guide to habits
When you get stuck, more knowledge isn’t helpful—it’s more frustrating, even. What you need is figuring how to come unstuck. Here’s how.
Communication
How to have an essay for everything
The short—and obvious—answer: write a ton. The long answer—how I wrote the ton—is this essay.
Human nature
Say yes, not no
If you’re struggling to say no to something maybe you should try saying yes instead. Not to the same thing, of course! But instead of focusing on what you don’t want, why not focus on what you actually want? Because, let’s face it: every no in one
Human nature
Peace in our time
We're only as whole as our relationships—to be healthy, physically and mentally, is not something we find inside, but around us: in the richness of our connections to the people and things that surround us.
Human nature
The power of a decision
"I don't know if I can." I hear those words all the time, in my work and from friends. They often come as the person is feeling challenged to take a step in a new direction, to make a hard decision. And by "hard"
Empathy
Good art demands good critics
All frustrating criticism to one main issue: dishonesty. And the fundamental dishonesty at the core of poor criticism is self-centredness.
Uncategorized
On insecurity
A person is secure when they have two core convictions in place: 1. That something belongs to them 2. That it won't be taken away without their permission. When either of these convictions is shaky, we have what I call “ownership uncertainty”, which is what leads to the
Christianity
The church’s fear of losing power
Shortly after the US elections, I posted on a WhatsApp group I’m on that I feel sorry for any Christian who hasn’t seriously interrogated their faith in the last few years.
Human nature
We take change for granted
It's sometimes too easy to take for granted how amazing the times are that we live in. But it's also quite natural for us to.
Communication
We believe what we find believable
People on both sides of every argument throw facts at each other, certain any reasonable person must draw only one conclusion from these facts. But that’s not the case.