Last week, my wife and I spent a lovely seven days in Little Traverse Bay, Michigan, where we walked the beaches, watched some sunsets, had terrific meals, and generally relaxed. About halfway through the week, my wife turned to me and said, “You know, I like VACATION BRAD.” I paused for a minute to think…
As you’re reading this, I’m out on what I call my “yearly walk.” For me, that means I’m somewhere in the mountains or on a beach, pushing myself on a long, strenuous hike. I’m in unfamiliar territory, soaking in new sights, and leaning into a different rhythm. In our busy lives, where the to-do list…
Our most persistent opposition doesn’t come from external forces. It comes from within. It’s that voice in your head, the one whispering doubts, planting seeds of fear, and telling you all the reasons you can’t, shouldn’t, or won’t. I hear it too. Especially when I’m pushing into uncharted territory, starting something new, or – and…
Because AI is such a hot topic and the frontier of its use seems to be continually changing, I’m periodically sending out an update about how I’m using AI today. (You can compare to my use cases from 9/2023.) I would love to hear back from you about how you’re using AI, also. Some of…
Last night, discovered an interview with Mandy Patinkin on YouTube. The interviewer posed a question that honestly stopped me in my tracks: “What do you know now that you wish you’d known then?” His answer resonated so powerfully with me, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Here’s a version of what he said…
Last week, I went on a fishing trip to Canada with some guys from my neighborhood. Let me tell you two stories about that trip. They’re both true, but they focus on very different things. Story 1: The vacation that went wrong It’s a 12-hour drive to Lake Windemere. We spent all day Sunday traveling,…
Transformation usually begins with desire. I’m not going to set out on a new journey unless I’m either in a tough spot or see the promise of something much better on the horizon. We can’t go chasing after every impulse that comes to mind. But if a desire persists and keeps coming back to “haunt” me. These…
“Wake up Neo…” When those words appear on Neo’s screen, everything changes. Neo would have ignored all of this, except for one fact. He was looking for a wake-up call. He’d been searching, digging for answers. Something was drawing him, something that wouldn’t let go. What are you looking for This story is universal, which…
The other day, my wife showed me Rembrandt’s painting of The Storm on the Sea of Galilee. It wasn’t just beautiful; it spoke to me deeply. What captivated me wasn’t just the oil and canvas, but the unmistakable soul of the artist pouring through every brushstroke. It reminded me that the true masterpiece isn’t always…
I was sitting on the edge of a lake last week, watching some swallows swoop down over the water, picking up tiny insects as they buzzed by. It was an incredible display. They are so fast, and so acrobatic. I sat on that rock for 40 minutes doing nothing but watching them. How did they…