Stories Told. Lives Changed.
…don’t allow yourself to be seduced by their songs or soon you’ll be making love to yourself in front of a full-length mirror, in the dark. Be well, Jay
Daily life is ripe with struggles. The glowing check engine light, the dismissive coworker, slow Wi-Fi, the wavering religious faith, a snarky Facebook comment. Yesterday’s struggles have been replaced with today’s struggles. And today’s struggles will be replaced by tomorrow’s struggles. However, you must learn to separate struggles in two categories: empty and meaningful. Empty […]
You develop a meaningful idea that excites you. A practical idea with positive benefits. An idea, you’re convinced, people will appreciate and support. So you write an email, send it, and wait. And nothing happens. Nobody replies. Don’t take it personally. Remember, just like you, people are busy. They have they’re own passions and pursuits. […]
You will not love all of your subjects. You will not love all your teachers. You will question the importance of the subject and it’s significance on your current life, your future life and the world-at-large. In fact, you will rationalize some subjects are pointless and insignificant. You will fall asleep in class. You will […]
People often ask how I could teach teenagers. Stereotypes find teenagers to be arrogant, rude, and scary. If I learned anything from performing stand-up comedy it’s to survive on stage, you have to disarm the audience by criticizing yourself and your absurdities. When teaching, I’m quick to poke fun at myself. Self-deprecation is one way to […]
I was the head coach of a boys’ high school varsity soccer team for nine years. In those days, I was quick to yell the referee. Quick to criticize. Quick to question. Quick to verbally announce my presence on the sideline. I felt if my players, the parents, the other coach heard me yelling then […]
Many young people think the answer will be found in a magical land known as out there. They can’t wait to graduate high school, move out of their parent’s house, leave the confines of their hometown behind and get out there. Older now, I realize the answer is not out there. The answer has always […]
A simple greeting is such an easy way to humanize yourself at the workplace. Saying hello costs nothing and requires no commitment. Your greeting could spark a smile, which could lead to a conversation, which could result in a good day at work. Remember– you and your coworkers are in this together. Be well, Jay
The seminal scene in The Breakfast Club occurs when the five students are sitting in a loose circle sharing the truths of their lives. For the first time in the film, each character exhibits the courage to be vulnerable and truthful with their peers, with themselves. And for that, each character matures and becomes a better […]
I’m sure you can relate. During a performance review, my supervisor told me that my teaching style, a fusion of storytelling and instruction, was not practical and measurable on state exams. “You’re job is to teach reading and writing skills not to tell bedtime stories.” At the time of our meeting, I’d been teaching for […]