NewsBreak Original

My earliest steps were practiced on the sands of Cocoa Beach, Florida. At every turn of my childhood, there remains a beach-infused moment that is enshrouded in nostalgia. I graduated high school in Virginia Beach, and spent my 20s in Coronado, California, only a block away from the cold Pacific Ocean. I am a child of the water.

Nothing struck me as off when I first met Richard. I was walking my usual route through our suburban neighborhood, which was filled with a colorful mix of brick homes, and shaded by a dense canopy of southern live oaks.

Confident people have a quiet intangible self-assuredness you can sense. Confident people are either faking it until they make it or they are actually confident because they know they can handle what life throws at them.

Having a growth mindset is important. It makes us better people, which helps to make us better partners in romantic relationships. Self-awareness, accountability, and empathy are all essential aspects of the growth process.

My sister Shannon and I went to the pool every night with my dad. We were on the swim team, but our coaches left an outside lane open for my dad. In my peripheral vision, I’d see him flying past everyone, doing sprints and underwater kicking.

Brian’s complaining went from a weekly affair, to a daily nuisance. We convened in a shared office gym each day. He was a well spoken and well paid engineer in his late 30s, and was having incrementally larger arguments with his wife over money.

Do you ever find yourself wondering, "What is my purpose in life?" This existential question has haunted many of us at some point. Fortunately, there's an ancient Japanese concept that might provide the answers you seek. Enter "Ikigai," a term that encapsulates the essence of finding joy, fulfillment, and a reason to jump out of bed every morning.

Jen walked through the dimly lit restaurant doors and I was pleasantly surprised. Her beautiful white smile, long auburn hair and pretty eyes far surpassed her pictures. She walked over and said, “Sean?” I stood up and we had an introductory hug. Then our date rolled down a cold and muddy hill of incompatibility.

Do you want to break free from the cycle of grogginess and unproductivity in the mornings? Are you tired of hitting the snooze button over and over, struggling to get out of bed?

“It’s so weird that he has zero social media,” she said with exasperation, “It’s just kind of shady, don’t you think?” My friend was complaining about the new guy she was dating.

It’s a crime that we don’t educate children on cognitive biases. The impact isn’t subtle. They radically alter how we interact with the world. People are excessively hard on themselves. They hang on to ancient grievances. They make misinformed decisions in full confidence.

In a world often overshadowed by negativity and discord, the global movement of random acts of kindness has emerged as a heartwarming and transformative force. This remarkable phenomenon has not only touched the lives of countless individuals but has also ignited a wave of positivity that's reshaping communities and inspiring a brighter future for us all.

Intelligence and conscientiousness (work ethic, organization) are the most powerful predictors of success. Yet the world is full of highly intelligent, unsuccessful people. Many of you, who are reading this very sentence, are also quite smart. After all, you’re spending your free time reading. Such a hobby selects for a very specific crowd. So perhaps you, more than most, should watch out for these pitfalls. Some you can avoid. Others, not so much.

When people make these list articles, they often overstate the obvious:. Don’t be afraid to fail. These things might be good reminders, but they don’t really add to the conversation.

In today's fast-paced and stress-filled world, the practice of meditation has gained widespread recognition for its ability to improve mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Meditation is not just a mystical or spiritual exercise; it is a practical and scientifically validated method for enhancing the quality of one's life. Whether you're seeking stress relief, improved focus, increased emotional resilience, or simply a greater sense of inner peace, meditation can offer a pathway to these transformative benefits.

Life advice should be simple. And mostly, it should easily integrated into our lives. It should help us live happier. Or healthier. It should even show us how to become more meaningful versions of ourselves.

I drank deeply at McDintons that night, a cheap local Irish pub here in sunny Tampa, Florida. We chatted as a big jovial group on a wooden outdoor patio. A few attractive girls mingled among us. An inaptly named friend, Chad, sat on a stool facing us with his half-empty beer as he dropped facts about his life.

In a world inundated with self-help literature and charismatic gurus peddling the allure of a happier life, it’s a common tale to hear of individuals who, despite their best efforts, remain fundamentally unsatisfied. The promise of self-improvement, the quest to piece together life’s puzzle, and the relentless pursuit of happiness have left many pondering a perplexing question: why does following every self-help guru on the planet often lead to perpetual misery?