There is a curious phonological phenomenon in the English language: the letter “I” often serves as the gateway to our discomforts. When we speak of the irritable, the icky, or the insufferable, the vowel sits at the front of the mouth, sharp and thin. It is the sound of an interruption, a jagged edge in…
The Unfinished Canvas
Aren’t you just a little bit envious when you hear about someone who has found their dream? I watched It’s a Gardening Show last night, and the host met a woman who grew apples. On screen, she seemed entirely at peace. Now, I suspect her farm isn’t nearly as serene as the edited footage suggested—farming…
Slow Start
In the grand tradition of the American pastime, nothing is quite as sacred—or as deeply annoying—as the “Slow Start.” The beginning of the season brings a special kind of existential dread that makes rational people do very irrational things. By this week of the season, every MLB fan base is divided into two camps: those…
Returning To Center
I am no yoga master or spiritual guru, so when I talk about “centering,” I’ll admit I’m still finding my way. But lately, it has become clear that the world, our country, and each of us as individuals are in desperate need of it. We have spent so much time out on the fringes—clinging to…
The Impact of A Single Breath
In many spiritual traditions, the world was brought into being through a single word. If we are made in that divine image, then our speech is our most creative—and destructive—power. I learned this lesson the hard way in school when I told an inappropriate joke. To this day, I don’t know what motivated me to…