The Everyday Human

February: On Life February 12 Today's reflection was inspired by a quote from Wendell Berry's poem "How to Be a Poet." It is a curse, not to grow old, but to grow up. We can all be poets in how we live our lives. We all start as poets, it's just that sometimes we forget. Watch a child in nature--she is the truest poet.  Learn and remember. Leave your screens and your wires...

February: On Life February 11 Today's reflection was inspired by a quote from the little piece of paper at the end of the tea bag--specifically from Yogi Tea (no affiliation to this podcast or me, I just like the tea). Beyond the tenuous structure of routine that we build into our days, life is filled to bursting with the unknown. You have your expectations of how your day and life will go, b...

February: On Life February 10 Today's reflection was inspired by a quote from the anime/manga Demon Slayer. There is growing evidence that some of the trauma we carry with us may have been passed down to us from our ancestors, and that we may pass our trauma down to the generations to come.  We are all connected--here in the present, and to those in the past and future. So we can also inherit...

February: On Life February 9 Today's reflection was inspired by a quote from the anime/manga Kino's Journey . We have grand and wonderful dreams and aspirations when we're young. But then the realities of life storm in and our responsibilities grow and change. Our dreams then shift and those of childhood are replaced. The destination changes, and we don't recognize where we are...

February: On Life February 8 Today's reflection was inspired by another quote from Kurt Vonnegut's A Man Without a Country. The act of creation is one of the best things we can do for ourselves, for our souls, for others, and for the world.  It allows us to stretch, grow, and reflect. And while creating, you needn't worry if what you are making is any good, you just need to do it. ...

February: On Life February 7 Today's reflection was inspired by a quote from Maya Angelou’s poem/children’s book “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me.” When you hear the words courage, bravery, and mettle, you might think of a superhero, a soldier, or a firefighter.  You probably don’t imagine a child putting themself back to sleep in the middle of the night without getting Mom, or a child taking a deep...

February: On Life February 6 Today's reflection was inspired by a quote from the graphic novel  Samurai Grandpa , by Eastin DeVerna (me!) and Shawn Daley. Memento mori.  That's the Stoic practice of reminding yourself each and every day that you will die.  It is a great practice to fall into as it can help humble you and remind you not to waste your time while you are here.  But you must...

February: On Life February 5 Today's reflection was inspired by a quote from Dorothy West's short story "The Richer, The Poorer." In your brief lifetime, and with your limited perspective, there is just so much that you do not know and will never know. That’s a good thing. We weren’t meant to process and retain infinite knowledge.  But to live is to learn, and to learn is to li...

February: On Life February 4 Today's reflection was inspired by a quote from Joe Abercrombie's fantasy novel  The Blade Itself. The dance with Death begins the moment you’re born. And despite the never-ending and creative ways the world could do you in, you're still alive. You're still here.  So the next time you feel a little beat up by others, or worn down by the grind of mod...

February: On Life February 3 Today's reflection was inspired by a quote from Paul Auster's biography of Stephen Crane, Burning Boy. Open your phone or turn on the news and you'll see no end to the many ways humanity is currently failing.  Sure, you could focus on this and complain or despair. Or, you could do what's in your power to make a difference.  And while you're at...

February: On Life February 2 Today's reflection was inspired by a quote from Pascal Mercier's novel Night Train to Lisbon. You might look at the world around you and the places you live and visit and travel through as inanimate, soulless locations. But they are very much alive alongside you. It is inevitable that you leave pieces of yourself with them and take ideas and experiences with...

February: On Life February 1 Today's reflection was inspired by a quote from Seneca's essay "On the Shortness of Life." "Life is short." How many times have you heard others say that? How many times have you said it? But is it really? Or is it just the right amount of time for a human to grow and learn and laugh and love? Today we explore the idea that life is long en...

January: On Existence  January 31 Today's reflection was inspired by a quote from the novel Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez. “People just don’t change.” Have you ever muttered this phrase in response to repeated negative actions or the continued failings of others or yourself? I used to believe this, but I've come to learn that we all change--and that it’s inevitabl...

January: On Existence  January 30 Today's reflection was inspired by a quote from Marcus Aurelius' Meditations. Isn’t it pretty to think that your life is unique? That you are a one-of-a-kind individual whose experiences and perception of world events around you are yours alone? The truth is you’re not all that unique. Nor are your experiences. No one is. We’re all made up of the same bi...

January: On Existence  January 29 Today's reflection was inspired by a quote from William Shakespeare's Hamlet. Life is anything but certain, and while that can be scary, it’s also one of the most beautiful and amazing things about it.  You know who you are now, in this moment, and there is great potential for who you can become.  But be careful. That can go in either direction. You have...

January: On Existence  January 28 Today's reflection was inspired by a quote from Oscar Wilde's De Profundis. Our thoughts and actions are driven by what other people say, what they do, what they wear, what they eat, how they exercise--the list goes on. And this isn't necessarily a bad thing. We are social creatures and mimicry is in our DNA. But it can become a bad thing if we are...

January: On Existence  January 27 Today's reflection was inspired by Anais Nin's poem "Risk." A routine is a beautiful and necessary thing. After all, consistency is the key to making lasting change and achieving your goals. No one ever said, “The erratic and chaotic bird gets the worm!” But when the groove that routine and tradition carve into your life becomes too deep, it ca...

January: On Existence  January 26 Today's reflection was inspired by Zora Neale Hurston's novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. Life is broken up into a series of three cycling phases: a time for questions, a time for answers, and a time for nonanswers (vague and roundabout words in response to said questions or perhaps more likely, not answers at all). But despite being an integral part o...

January: On Existence  January 25 Today's reflection was inspired by Sylvia Plath's novel The Bell Jar.  You are promised a great many things that are supposed to make you happy: money, fame, status, a new job, a promotion, a big house, nice car, the perfect partner, sex, alcohol, food, a new watch, a new phone, a new computer, followers, likes--the list goes on. But look around you. How...

January: On Existence  January 24 Today's reflection was inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche's book The Dawn of Day.  You die every night and are reborn every day. And there is a blessing that comes with this type of death--it offers you the opportunity to reflect on the past, choosing what actions and habits you wish to keep and cultivate, or which ones you wish to leave in the past because...

January: On Existence  January 23 Today's reflection was inspired by another instrumental song: "Travelers" by Andrew Prahlow for the video game Outer Wilds.  You are but a traveler,  moving through the journey of life from birth to death.  You begin small, quiet, unsure, but as you grow and journey onward, you become louder and your melody travels to the ears of others where by som...

January: On Existence  January 22 Inspiration for today's reflection comes from Mary Shelley's novel The Last Man. What they don’t tell you before signing up for this wild adventure of existence is that near most every day you will be encumbered with the irrationality and intensity of love and fear. We will go to extremes to protect those we love from harm--doing whatever it takes. No la...

January: On Existence  January 21 Today's reflection was inspired by a quote from Alan Watts, specifically from  Eastern Wisdom, Modern Life: Collected Talks 1960-1969. We're all rushing around in a great panic, aren't we? Worried about achieving something great, leaving a lasting impact, or gaining the adoration and respect of the masses. But how much do we lose of ourselves in thi...

January: On Existence  January 20 Today's reflection was inspired by a poem from Nazim Hikmet called "On Living." How easy is it to consider ourselves as separate? As individuals? Not connected to everything from the sparrow's egg on the porch to the dead deer on the side of the road to humans experiencing tragedy across the globe?  It is easy, but it is dangerous business to d...

January: On Existence  January 19 Today's quote comes from . . . me. And I wrote it down specifically for this book/podcast, so you won't find it in any of my comics or novels. We are sold the idea that we need so much in this world . . . influencers will have us believe we need a new gadget or device, software, supplement, whatever, to help us become strong, smart, and beautiful like th...