The Everyday Human

January: On Existence  January 7  Today's reflection was inspired by a quote from Gwendolyn Brooks--from a book called Conversations with Gwendolyn Brooks. We explore the value of accepting things and people for what and who they are rather than always seeking reason or purpose. Reflection title: A Flower Is a Flower, and You Are You Creative inspiration: Gwendolyn Brooks, Conversations with...

January: On Existence  January 6  Today's reflection was inspired by an interview with Dr. Edith Eger from the Feel Better, Live More podcast with Dr. Rangan Chatterjee.  We look at what it means to acknowledge our limits with the understanding that humans are limited in our capacity in every regard, which isn't a bad thing. Reflection title: Limitless? No Such Thing Creative inspiration...

January: On Existence  January 5  Today's reflection was inspired by the Super Nintendo JRPG, Chrono Trigger . We look at what a video game from the 90s can teach us about living in the present moment, while at the same time, building toward a brighter future. Reflection title: Live As if Tomorrow Will Not Come, but Trust That It Will Creative inspiration: Chrono Trigger Reflection Question:...

January: On Existence Quick note: I wrote this (all of these reflections) last year. It is not in direct response to current events, though it could easily be read that way. It goes to show how timeless Shelley's poem and the lessons we can learn from it are. January 4 Today's reflection was inspired by Percy Byssche Shelley's poem "Ozymandias." We explore the fleeting nat...

January: On Existence January 3 Today's reflection was inspired by Clarice Lispector and a line from her novel, The Passion According to G.H.   We explore: The idea of existence being both a blessing and a curse  The concept of freedom existing within fate Choosing to fulfill or not fulfill our fate Reflection title: To Fulfill or Not Fulfill, That Is the Question Creative inspiration: Claric...

January: On Existence January 2 What can a frog and an old pond teach you about what it means to be human? Today's reflection was inspired by Matsuo Bashō and his poem "The Ancient Pond." We look at what it means to make a splash in your own pond--those positive effects and consequences of your actions in your life and the lives you touch. Reflection title: Make a Splash  Creative i...

January: On Existence To kick off a year of reflections, we begin in January with looking at the meaning of existence.  Today's reflection was inspired by Stephen Crane and his poem "A Man Said to the Universe." We look at what it means to be here and ask whether or not we're owed anything by the universe just for existing. Reflection title: That Strand of Hair on Your Head Cre...

This is an introductory episode.  You'll learn: More about how the beautiful, mysterious, and sometimes chaotic nature of our existence inspired this project.  How the overuse of labels and titles and the compartmentalization and oversimplification of our lives was the impetus to shedding such labels and uncovering the humans beneath it all. Why I turned to literature and poetry as well as ot...