Today feels like a momentous culmination of a journey that started when I simply followed a thread of something that inspired me. Back in 2004, I attended a talk at UC Berkeley by Paul Graham, who was promoting his innovative new investment firm with a funny name, Y Combinator. His idea was to give hackers like me some hands-on guidance and a small sum ($6K

I'm not sure if I've ever really felt comfortable in my adult body. I've consistently muted my physical expression out of fear of judgment. The few times I've been in situations where I couldn't avoid dancing, I've felt tremendous awkwardness and shame. Lately through meditation and by consulting with my guides, I've felt called to start exploring moving my body as a way of celebrating

Two years ago I was sitting in my truck, sobbing with intense feelings of betrayal. I felt so confused and lonely. Compounding my isolation, I didn't know how to express my feelings safely with my person. I felt unloved and unlovable. These feelings led me to say and do things that I now regret but were a portal of insight that ended a relationship that

I’ve come to realize that I don't have a great track record of knowing what will actually make me happy. Not that I’m generally unhappy, or particularly hard to please, but that the achievements I thought would result in my happiness seem to have about the same chance as any random event of yielding happiness in my life. The fact is, life is inherently complex,

There is no role of greater importance or service to humanity than that of being a parent. It is not only the fastest track to your own healing, but is also the fastest track to the healing of the whole world.Richard Rudd, The Gene Keys #48 It’s unavoidable to be human and not be living with some form of internalized shame (times when you feel

Last night I found myself choking up while reading a Thomas the Train book with the kids. The story itself wasn't sad, but I had the hardest time getting through bedtime because something was welling up in me. Why was I feeling so sad? It certainly had been a frustrating day, with news of an annoying setback clouding my thoughts. But this sadness felt far

My children have three basic food groups: fruit, mac and cheese and chicken nuggets. I don't know what is so magical about mac and cheese, but it seems like the collective preschooler consciousness just can't get enough of it. My kids would eat mac and cheese for breakfast if I let them. While I do my best to buy only organic and have even found

If I feel good about my parenting, I have no interest in judging other people's choices. If I feel good about my body, I don't go around making fun of other people's weight or appearance.Brene Brown There are times in my life where I have been judgemental of others. I've also caught myself filtering my actions and words to avoid others' judgement. It's not just

I like to dream up simple changes that can have far reaching effects on the world. I think this simple rule could have a huge impact: One of the powers that we consumers have in a capitalist society is deciding which products to buy. In a sea of choices, we can choose to patronize the businesses that align with our values and produce products that

As a parent of two young kids, I watch what my children eat without a second thought (mostly just looking for opportunities to expand their diet beyond variations of mac and cheese). I also limit their digital media consumption, while at times guiltily relying on such to get personal time for myself. I recently witnessed something that underlines the importance of paying more attention to