I set out to live a simple, uncomplicated life when I retired. At the time, I believed that meant cutting out anything that might disrupt that intention.

However, in my effort to curate peace, I found myself swinging between extremes—chasing clarity at one end and total detachment at the other.

It took time to realize that true serenity doesn’t live in either extreme but rather in the quiet space in between. It’s hard to take offense when you’re not planted at one extreme or the other, but instead resting in the middle. From that centered place, compassion and understanding come more naturally, because no one feels too far away to reach.

By all means, seek out like-minded souls for comfort and connection—but also […]

Do you feel like something is quietly stealing your joy? Frustrated by the space between your expectations and what life delivers? It’s good to be hopeful—staying optimistic can be a real strength during uncertain times.

Yet when happiness depends on things going exactly as we imagined, we often become more frustrated. Flexibility allows us to adapt and find meaning, even when the outcome shifts.

The gap between what we expect and can do often leads to frustration, stress, and conflict.

Think of your expectations as a big, bright circle—filled with hope and ambition.

Then reality hits, and suddenly you’re left with a much smaller circle inside, as if your potential just got squeezed down to size.

You’re not alone—dreams don’t always align with reality.

When outcomes […]