When we moved to the city I tried commuting by car, bus, and train. They're all OK — driving is quick, you can read on the bus, and the train laughs at weather and traffic. But the best option, if you're not fussy about ironed shirts, is biking. After two years of it, here's what I've learned. … Continue reading Seven things I’ve learned about biking to work
Category: Sevens
Seven Things I’ve Learned About Starting to Exercise
(1) It doesn’t fit my lifestyle. I like to eat and I’m too busy. (2) It’s worse than boring. It’s uncomfortable. There’s nothing to think about except how awful you feel. (3) It’s necessary. Eating cake and French fries makes you feel lousy. So does wearing tight pants. Plus, if climbing stairs is exhausting, there’s … Continue reading Seven Things I’ve Learned About Starting to Exercise
Seven things I learned from The Giver, by Lois Lowry
1. Choice creates risk. With choice come wrong choices, and wrong choices bring harm. Given the harm, it’s tempting to eliminate choice. But choice brings joy and maturity. Better to equip the chooser to choose than to remove the choice. 2. Pain is something we avoid. Superficial avoidance is easy — simply find something to take your … Continue reading Seven things I learned from The Giver, by Lois Lowry
Seven Things I’ve Learned About Commuting
(1) If you work from home you have zero commuting costs. Or wardrobe costs. Or going-out-for-lunch costs. You also never leave work. (2) If you work a mile from home you can walk, ride your bike, drive, or take a longboard. Pretty nice. Also pretty easy to work evenings and weekends. (3) If you work … Continue reading Seven Things I’ve Learned About Commuting
Seven Things I’ve Learned About Communication in Marriage
(1) It’s the water that keeps your relationship hydrated. You’re friends. You trust each other. So talk about what you’re thinking, feeling, planning, doing, learning, and believing. That’s what friends do. (2) Do it with love. Affection is nice, but love goes the distance. It reaches deep and rouses kindness — a reliable guardrail for steering … Continue reading Seven Things I’ve Learned About Communication in Marriage
Seven Things I’ve Learned About Writing Fiction from The Hunger Games
(1) Tension. Something’s not right about all this. (2) Respect. A strong, competent hero. (3) Empathy. Characters I care for. (4) Conflict. Most of these characters are in mortal danger. (5) Enemies. Opposition that is believable and overwhelming. (6) Romance. Between characters I’m rooting for, but with plenty of #1, above. (7) Resolution? Wrap things … Continue reading Seven Things I’ve Learned About Writing Fiction from The Hunger Games
Seven Things I’ve Learned About Doing Right from Psalm 15
Not everything done in God’s name brings Him glory. According to King David, author of Psalm 15, genuinely godly people* . . . (1) Walk with integrity. (2) Do what is right and just. (3) Tell the truth. (4) Don’t slander, do evil to a neighbor, or take up a reproach against a friend. (5) … Continue reading Seven Things I’ve Learned About Doing Right from Psalm 15
