When You Just. Can’t. Stop.

When You Just. Can’t. Stop.

On the overnight train to Cape Town, Essie and Albert filled up the cabin next to mine. Essie ~ a large breasted woman in her 60s, able to get around slowly with a stick, called out to me: “’Elloo! Can you help us open the window?” Her husband, Albert, sat slumped on...
What To Do When Intuition Fails You

What To Do When Intuition Fails You

Recently, my intuition failed me. Epically. Miserably. Actually… shockingly. I had just moved into an apartment in Senegal’s capital city, Dakar. Handed over four months for rent, deposit and commission. After ten days my chest was tight and I couldn’t breath...
Be Careful Who You Talk To About What You Want

Be Careful Who You Talk To About What You Want

A STORY “You live where?!” her voice had a mix of surprise and concern. “Ouakam (pronounced: Wa-Kam). I want to live in a more bustling, Senegalese area. It’s one reason why I came to Africa.” I was excited! And now I was starting to explain myself. I wasn’t sure why....
Keeping True Ideas Alive

Keeping True Ideas Alive

You know those days when a certain flavor of idea rolls into the town of your psyche? Ideas such as Right, that’s it, no matter what I’m getting paid it’s time for a job change, or I’m going to tell him exactly what I think, or Diet starts tomorrow,...
Change v. Transition

Change v. Transition

Author William Bridges differentiates between a change and a transition. “One of the most important differences between a change and a transition is that changes are driven to reach a goal, but transitions start with letting go of what no longer fits or is adequate to...
Change Invites Quiet Bravery

Change Invites Quiet Bravery

What do you feel at the end of your day, when you step away from your work? Tired but accomplished? Fulfilled and focused? Resentful and depleted? Full of hope or hopeless? Sarah used to sit in her car, often in back-to-back traffic coming north up the freeway, and...