In his book, Understanding Comics, Scott McCloud discusses “closure”, or the process of “observing the parts but perceiving the whole.” You and I do closure all the time.The swoosh icon associated with a famous shoe brand. Golden arches along a highway.A special “ding” on your phone when an “instant message” is received. When we perceive these Icons/symbols/signs we complete the story.Nike.McDonald’s.Facebook or iPhone message.Your goal is to get your audience, those you seek to serve, to engage in closure with your ideas, work, or art. Nike wouldn’t be Nike if the swoosh became too detailed in appearance. Too much details adulterates the symbol. In the same way, you must work to make your ideas and work the simplest possible. What details don’t belong? What can be cut? How do you make your work so simple that a toddler can understand? Less is more.

Re-posting “Don’t Lose Hope” from September 20 of 2019.Hope is what makes us human.Hope is the belief in a future possible.Hope is what motivates us to create the bigger than ourselves.Hope is what helps us find other people like us.Hope is your story.Hope is our story.Hope is the story of now realized.Don’t lose yourself.Don’t lose hope.

When an opportunity is presented to you:Saying “yes” without qualification is foolish. Saying “yes” and then getting immediately curious about the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the opportunity is smart.Too many of say “yes” and jump.

Inspired by my conversation with Sean.A definition for wisdom could be: a unit of actionable data born from a reflection of the past. Experience is always the best teacher.

My concept of friendship changes. Before, it meant a group of fiercely loyal people that stick with you through thick and thing.Now, it means a connection and commitment between humans that persists even in the absence of presence. I’m thankful to my friends near and far.

It is common for crew members on cruise ships to hold a despedida (des - pee - dee - dah).A despedida is a farewell party. Friends come together, share stories, and say “farewell” to their departing crew mate. Food is eaten, and drinks are imbibed. The atmosphere is fun. Filipino crew, the ones who usually hold these parties, rarely miss their friends despedida. Why? The despedida symbolizes the end; it’s a memento mori. It is a way for people to happily grieve the metaphorical death of their time together while looking forward to the future. Through this event future relationships are forged. I have such friends, one of them is a subscriber. You and I need more despedidas in our life. When we leave jobs ,a project, or a meeting, we need some thing - some event - to happily grieve the loss while forging relationships for the future. We need a despedida before we end our day. Perhaps we make a tea or a nightcap and chat with a friend. Maybe we write in a journal. We need our time with our friends is up. A hug, a re-assuring sentiment, or a smile. I often think that life is more about how we end things than how we begin. Using the despedida as the vehicle to end can certainly help us be happier.

… it’s still the Toughest Time of the Year. I combatted my mind by continuing to slow myself down, to reflect on what I’m trying to do, and to think about what I wanted the next 5 to 10 years to be about. Hope brought me up and out. Keep hope in your sights.

If you are looking for others like you, then ask yourself: What do people like me do?Here’s one way you can use that model:When interviewing for a job, consider asking the hiring manager, “how do you handle things like ….” (insert the things that matter to you).Culture could be defined as a set of behaviors adopted by one or more humans. If you want to find your culture, find people who behave like you.

Have you met people who like to keep it 100? People who live for that hustle life? On one hand, I admire their drive and ambition.On another hand, I wonder how they manage when life demands more from them? How sustainable is keeping it 100? Hustling has its benefits. But I still prefer a thoughtful and mindful hike.

I spoke with my dad today. We talked about religion, life, and what it means to live in the moment. I told my dad, “you know, Dad, God doesn’t guarantee tomorrow.” My dad replied, “no He doesn’t. That’s why you have to earn your ticket today.”Wise words from a man who’s death looms on the horizon. Those words made me think about you. How are you and I earning our ticket for tomorrow? We don’t have to believe in a god to make that reflection meaningful. Tomorrow is not promised. The only thing we have, own, and control is the present.