A New City
Relationships with cities, very much like our relationships with people, change and shift. Sometimes, we grow out of them. Or we grow in different directions.
"We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect."
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Reflections
Navigating Your Heart
" Your soul is oftentimes a battlefield, upon which your reason and your judgment wage war against your passion and your appetite. Would that I could be the peacemaker in your soul, that I might turn the discord and the rivalry of your elements into oneness and melody. But how shall I, unless you yourselves be also the peacemakers, nay, the lovers of all your elements?" Kahlil Gibran
Reflections
On Taking Responsibility for Our Unhealthy Narratives
We have to be aware of the storylines that our ingrained in our minds and the ways in which we repeat narratives that no longer serve us. We also need to take full responsibility for these stories and reshape new ones that will lead us to more fulfilling lives and relationships. We have more power than we can even imagine to create the lives we want.
Reflections
My Journey Beyond Fear
Very often we form fixed ideas and expectations of how our lives should unfold, but sometimes for whatever reason, we're drawn to take another direction. We hear a call to change our course that we can't suppress. An unconventional path seems much more appealing. I surprisingly find myself at this juncture right now where I'm planning to move beyond my deepest fears and I'm hoping you'll join me on this journey.
Reflections
Loving Your Imperfections
Somewhat impulsively, I decided to drive to Land's End this morning where I could sit outside overlooking the ocean, feel the fresh breeze and be surrounded by the colorful wildflowers. I wanted to take the time to reflect on how I've been relating to people, if I'm being honest with myself and what I fundamentally desire in a partnership. I also wanted to process some feedback I've received recently that I am far too analytical and that I "should" be better at letting things flow.
Reflections
What I'm Learning About Myself and Others by Hosting Women's Circles
My simple intention in hosting a regular women's circle was to bring women together and, as a byproduct, I hoped our time together would potentially be healing. At that time, I didn't have ideas for the circle beyond that, and I certainly wasn't prepared for how illuminating the circle would be for me.
Reflections
Manifesting Our Dreams and the Blocks that Hold Us Back
Recently, I hosted an event which was facilitated by Erica Venegas, a life coach and owner of Blossom Coaching. Our topic of focus was manifestation, and we explored the unconscious and conscious blocks that can hinder us from living our dream lives. For some people, the word "manifestation" might be unfamiliar. But for myself, manifestation is, quite simply, the process of consciously creating what we desire.
Interview
Gus Tai: Lessons in Mindfulness & How to Recharge Your Internal Battery
Initially, Gus found meditation to be frustrating and thought it was odd to focus on his breath in order to maintain a sense of well-being. Shouldn't I be doing something about this? he wondered. Years later, meditation and mindfulness have become part of his daily practice, not only as a means to fuel his mind, body and soul but also empowering him to become a more aware professional in his work as a venture capitalist.
Interview
Men's Sacred Circles: What are they and why do we need them?
Kirk Akahoshi is psychotherapist, life coach, public speaker and founder of the Men's Collective. In this interview, Kirk shares more about his journey, leading him to the work he's doing now, including hosting a Men's Sacred Circle at The Center in San Francisco. He also shines a light on the issue of masculinity in America and what men can do to embrace and redefine their unique role in the world.
Reflections
Friendship and Love
A few weeks ago, I spoke briefly at my friend Carl's Celebration of Life. While it was difficult to prepare and speak about my beloved friend, I realized a lot about love and friendship through that process.
Interview
Creating Meaning After Loss
Steven Low's solo performance, Tastes Like Chicken, explores loss, depression and mental health. The show is inspired by Steven's personal experience enduring his father's decade-long depression, and the loss of the person he once knew as his father.
Interview
Saeeda Hafiz's Journey from Poverty to Inner Riches
Saeeda Hafiz, author of The Healing: One Woman's Journey from Poverty to Inner Riches, shares her thoughts about writing, finishing her book and how it impacted her family.
Reflections
After Loss: What the Heart Does
In the days and weeks after someone passes, life feels like a blur, with glimmers of normalcy. One walks among those living their normal day-to-day lives, not knowing what to say to you, or knowing the impact of the loss you've just endured.
Reflections
My Mother: Life Lessons on Creative Living
As a child, I never considered my mother to be a creative person. However, throughout the years, the way I define and recognize creativity has changed. With those shifts, I now see that my mother was one of the most creative people that I've ever met.
Reflections
At Home in Noe Valley
I've lived in my San Francisco apartment for nearly six years, the longest I've ever lived in a home in my entire life. On the outside, my building looks like a rather lonely place — a standalone turquoise building with purple awning and a large graffiti mural on the side detailing scenes from this quaint San Francisco neighborhood.
Interview
Pham Kieu Phuc on Design, Inspiration & Spirituality
When I lived in Hanoi, a friend suggested I visit Module 7, a furniture store and art gallery on Xuan Dieu Street in the West Lake area. Little did I know, that walking into that store I was embarking on the beginning of a beautiful friendship with Pham Kieu Phuc, a self-taught designer, who taught me so much about life, design and spirituality.
Guest Post
Hiking the El Camino de Santiago de Compostela: A Lesson on Loss by Sarah Davis
Somewhere, I know my dad is by the water singing this song, by his favorite band The Beatles and wearing one of his signature Hawaiian shirts.
Interview
On Writing with Tamim Ansary
Tamim Ansary, an Afghan-American author and public speaker, shares his thoughts on everything from the current state of the world to the role of the writer in observing and sharing.
Reflections
Dam Gio
Every year around April 26th, the anniversary of my mother's death, I naturally feel pretty emotional. I spend time thinking about how I've grown as a person and what my mother was like at my age. This year, I decided to acknowledge and reflect on her loss in a different way.
