When I was younger, I really enjoyed reading the works of Eastern philosophers. I think it helped counterbalance my thoughts of death and the concept of nonexistence. The Zen Buddhist Thich Nhat Hanh was a particular favorite of mine for a while. His words resonated with me and I found quite a bit of crossover between his beliefs and the aspects of Jesu…

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We began living above our means when our children were born. It’s a conscious decision we made to provide a better life for them. I wasn’t always sure if it was the right decision, though.

Our kids would tell us about how their friends had wonderful experiences on vacations and at their family’s second home. I’d hear phrase…

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Phil Dunphy is a loving TV dad and dedicated husband.

Phil is always there for his sitcom family. He is selfless, a hopeless romantic, thoughtful, a unique blend of dorky yet funny, and deeply passionate. I wish I were more like him.

When my kids were young, I was the fun dad. We’d go on spontaneous excursions, play games, and just enjoy being together. T…

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My hands were folded, my eyes locked on my rapidly tapping toes. I exhaled.

"This is where we’re at now,” my doctor said. “We’ll do the best that we can.”

Though I had no new fatal diagnosis, my existing condition suddenly felt terminal. I lifted my head and took a sip of my water. For the first time in years, I wante…

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I’m tired. My brain hurts, my eyes feel glazed over. Nothing is wrong, nor is anything bad. I’m good at work. I’m good at home. Things are okay, which I haven’t always been able to say. I could use a nap and a quiet day to myself.

I’m an introvert who isn’t much for talking or socializing. School, training, and meetings …

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My dad didn’t call me on New Year’s Eve. Whether it was your birthday or a holiday, he always celebrated you with a song. He had a beautiful voice and loved to sing.

When he was young, he sang on the streets of South Philly with his doo-wop group. I wish he had access to recording equipment, because I’d love to hear the sound of his voice right now.

As a…

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The holiday season is as beautiful as it is treacherous. We surprise one another with thoughtful gifts. We also fight over politics and vow never to speak to the other again. Then, there are the outcasts and the black sheep, the people who never quite fit in and probably wouldn’t be missed or noticed. I’m pretty sure that’…

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How do you define yourself? By your job? Your money? Social status?

What if you’ve never actually defined yourself before?

I’ve always felt as if I was an outcast, someone on the fringes who couldn’t — or shouldn’t — make it into the inner circle. I’m sure my awkwardness, anxiety, and self-confidence always played fac…

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My wife always worked crazy schedules. For the majority of our relationship, she worked overnights. She’s incredibly dedicated, hard working, and amazing at what she does. I’ve always admired that about her.

All of that took a toll on her, though. She was always tired and had low energy. Honestly, it probably took years of…

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When I was in high school, my parents told me that I could do anything I put my mind to, except sing. They were right, but that didn’t stop me from singing and recording music.

I joined bands and eventually started one a few years after college. We called ourselves Parkour, an ill-timed choice as the sport was on the verge of entering the mainstream. It…

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The first face I saw when waking up from post-surgery anesthesia was always my dad’s face. If I needed a ride, a shoulder to cry on, or even some money, he was there for me. He even took me on secret runs to McDonald’s to sneak in French fries, sponsored all of my sports teams, and had me help him with his business.

Wh…

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If we’re being honest, my sense of self-worth comes from the reactions of others. The way people respond to a joke I make, something I write, or a dish I make can determine my mental and emotional states for an indeterminate amount of time. It’s the worst kind of codependent relationship, one that pits me vs. me.

I hav…

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Traversing the digital landscape is treacherous. Nobody is safe. Right?

I guess it depends on your definition of safety. Or, where you fall within varying spectra.

• You’re safe in your right to own guns, but not from them.

• You’re safe to speak your mind, until you’re targeted by bullies’ words.

• You’re safe to hide discrimination…

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I hate my birthday. Womp, womp.

My parents always tried to give me a nice little gathering when I was young, but it was tough. When your birthday coincides with the beginning of the school year, nobody is really around. Plus, I didn’t have friends. So, my parties were mostly with my dad’s aunts and uncles.

The only party I re…

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They say it’s rude not to make eye contact. So, you try. You were raised to be polite, but know that this action has consequences. If the eyes truly are the gateway to the soul, then they reveal that which we hope to keep hidden. Like being a fraud.

Even after the slightest glance, some people can see deep into your so…

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Though I’m not handy, I have a reason to be.
Though I’m not handy, someone may need me.
Though I’m not handy, I want no dependence.
Though I’m not handy, I built a workbench.

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A quarter century ago, I met a girl.

She spoke her mind with great conviction and intensity. It was captivating, my eyes narrowing to a shallow depth of field with her as the sole focus. It grabbed my attention in a way that immediately led me to believe there was something truly remarkable about her. Sh…

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I’m a pretty good cook. It’s true. It didn’t feel like that at my restaurant, though.

To be honest, it might have been a mistake to open a business. One could question if I was ready. I knew how to cook and how to lead. Understanding the nuances of business is an entirely different animal.

How do you price an item? Where do you find sources? Are they rep…

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My first real cook title was Garde Manger, or Pantry Chef.

I handled all cold items, from salads to desserts at a small Italian restaurant. It was the ‘90s, so garnishing mostly meant a useless kale leaf on the plate and a sprig of mint on whipped cream.

Strawberries were sliced down to the stem and splayed like a deck…

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There I am, hand on head. I’m angry. Or sad. I’m focusing my energy in the empty space between my sister and whoever belongs to that right hand.

Let’s look at my hand, clenched into a fist. There are creases in the skin, nails at the ends of my fingers, knuckles in the middle. It’s attached to my arm, which connects to my body.

Classical physics explains…

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