Newsletter Archives
Take Two—12/11/2025
Ideas and inspiration for a more intentional, extraordinary life.
December 11, 2025
Words to Wonder:
Is It a Wonderful Life?
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes."
— Marcel Proust, novelist (1871-1922)
Perspectives to Ponder
In the timeless film It’s a Wonderful Life, we meet George Bailey. He dreams of traveling the world and living a life of adventure—but he sacrifices those dreams to help others in his small town of Bedford Falls.
When a financial crisis strikes, George is on the verge of losing everything. He feels like a failure and even contemplates ending his life. That’s when he meets Clarence.
Clarence is an angel who shows George what Bedford Falls would have been like if he had never been born. It’s a dark and hopeless place, and the people he loves are suffering. Realizing how deeply he’s impacted others, George gains a new appreciation for his life.
George’s external circumstances didn’t change. He’s still in the same town, facing the same struggles. But his perspective shifts dramatically. Instead of seeing himself as worthless, he now sees a life full of meaning and purpose.
I think we could all benefit from an encounter with someone like Clarence. We all have moments when we question our impact or wonder whether we’re making a difference. But sometimes, like George, we just need to see life from another point of view. A shift in perspective can help us realize our lives may be far better than we thought.
What if the life you’re living is already more meaningful than you realize? Maybe it’s not your life that needs to change—but the way you’re seeing it.
As we move through this holiday season, may we all find moments to see our lives with new eyes. And may you catch a fresh glimpse of the purpose your life carries—and a renewed appreciation for the many quiet ways you make the world better.
From my new book, Words to Wonder, #20 in the Perspective chapter.
REMINDERS WORTH REMEMBERING
I’ve learned that the most meaningful lessons aren’t always new ones. More often, they’re things I already knew but simply lost track of in the busyness and noise of living—like an important note buried somewhere in a stack of papers on my desk. Then I stumble across it again and think, Oh right… this matters. And I move it back to the top where it can actually get the attention it deserves.
Jane Kenyon's poem, Otherwise, is one such reminder.
STORIES WORTH KNOWING
What Krispy Kreme Can Teach Us About Living a Better Life
We live in a world that equates speed with success. But sometimes the very thing we rush toward gets ruined in the process. This week I wrote about Krispy Kreme—a company whose dramatic rise holds an unexpected lesson for the rest of us.
It’s a story about donuts… but even more, it’s a story about how we move through our lives, and what we risk missing when we push too hard or too fast.
If you’ve ever felt the pressure to hurry, hustle, or do more, this short article may offer a fresh perspective.
Read the story HERE
BEFORE YOU GO
This week’s stories all point in the same direction. George Bailey reminds us that our lives may be far more meaningful than we realize. Jane Kenyon’s Otherwise nudges us to notice the ordinary gifts we usually rush past. And Krispy Kreme shows us what happens when “more” and “faster” start to ruin what was already good.
As this year winds down, maybe the challenge isn’t to do more, but to see more—to slow the pace, shift your perspective, and appreciate the life you’re already living.
Stay inspired by the life you’re living,
Kevin
Take Two—12/4/2025
Ideas and inspiration for a more intentional, extraordinary life.
December 4, 2025
Words to Wonder:
When Kindness Rewrites the Story
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
— Aesop
PERSPECTIVES TO PONDER
Two years ago, in Ferrum, Virginia, a fire broke out in a residential neighborhood. The volunteer fire department rushed to the scene and battled the blaze for four hours. The fire was contained to a single home, but that family lost everything. And as if that weren’t hard enough, it happened just a few days before Christmas.
When the firefighters returned to the station, they couldn’t shake the image of the children standing in the cold, watching their home—and everything they owned—disappear in flames. So they decided to do something about it.
They took up a collection, went shopping together, and filled their fire trucks with toys, clothes, and Christmas surprises. On Christmas Day, they delivered everything to the family’s temporary home, determined to help the family still celebrate Christmas.
As the holidays approach, crowds will grow, traffic will slow, and tempers may flare. But even in the midst of the season’s chaos, opportunities to choose kindness are everywhere. And as Aesop reminded us, no act of kindness is ever wasted.
Wishing you a season filled with kindness.
THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE LIBRARY
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant
If you are looking for a book full of thought-provoking ideas and insights, I highly recommend The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson.
The book distills Naval’s most valuable insights on wealth, happiness, and intentional living. It's a book worth revisiting often as you consider how to design a more meaningful life.
Check out my favorite quotes from the book here.
STORIES WORTH KNOWING
The Power of Initiative and the Courage to Act
History often turns on the bold, visible actions of famous leaders. But just as often, it hinges on the quiet courage of someone whose name never makes the headlines.
This week I wrote about Andrew Higgins, an entrepreneur most people have never heard of, yet a man Eisenhower credited with winning the war. His persistence, foresight, and refusal to wait for permission changed the course of history.
Higgins’ story is a reminder that impact isn’t reserved for the extraordinary few. It belongs to anyone willing to notice what others overlook, step into a gap, and take action. If you’ve ever wondered whether your actions can make a difference, this story will encourage you.
Read the story HERE
BEFORE YOU GO
Our stories change with the choices we make. Firefighters chose kindness and gave the gift of Christmas. Andrew Higgins chose initiative and helped win a war. What will you choose this week? This season? In this final month of 2025?
Stay inspired by the life you’re living,
Kevin
Take Two—11/27/2025
Ideas and inspiration for a more intentional, extraordinary life.
November 27, 2025
Words to Wonder:
Alive in the Moments We Notice
"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."
— Thornton Wilder, American novelist
PERSPECTIVES TO PONDER
This week in the United States, we celebrate Thanksgiving. The holiday traces back to 1621, when the Pilgrims of Plymouth and members of the Wampanoag Nation gathered to give thanks for a successful harvest. That first winter in Plymouth had been brutal, claiming nearly half the Pilgrims’ lives. It was the local tribes' agricultural knowledge, shared generously, that made the following harvest abundant and ensured the Pilgrims’ survival.
In 1863, during the height of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation designating Thanksgiving as a national holiday. His message acknowledged the nation’s blessings—agricultural abundance, industrial progress—but also urged Americans to remember the immense suffering of widows, families, and soldiers whose lives had been torn apart by war.
It’s striking that both the origins of Thanksgiving and its formal establishment as a holiday came at times of deep hardship. We often slip into the idea that gratitude is reserved for when life is wonderful. But in truth, life is always a blend—good and difficult, joy and pain, simple and complicated. And it’s precisely within those mixed seasons that gratitude becomes most powerful.
As the year draws to a close, it’s a chance to slow down and really look at your life—to notice the things, people, and moments that have carried you. Not because everything has gone smoothly, but because even in difficult seasons, there are gifts that quietly sustain us.
May you enter this season with open eyes and a grateful heart, recognizing the treasures already in your life—and in the simple act of noticing, become truly alive.
QUESTIONS WORTH CONSIDERING
• What is one thing you did this week that will improve your future?
• What did you do that may hurt it?
• Where did your choices reflect the person you want to become—and where did they fall short?
BEFORE YOU GO
Gratitude isn't about having more—it’s about seeing more. May you notice the many blessings and wonders in your life this week.
Stay inspired by the life you’re living,
Kevin
Take Two—11/20/2025
Ideas and inspiration for a more intentional, extraordinary life.
November 20, 2025
Words to Wonder:
When the Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary
“Life is a matter of contrast. If you only had good things, you wouldn’t notice them.”
— Alan Watts, British philosopher and writer
Perspectives to Ponder
For many years, I traveled to Mexico to help build homes for families who had almost nothing. The conditions were harsh. Even being there for a week stretched me—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
When we finished building the house, we handed the family the keys, said our goodbyes, and began the long drive home. We had a tradition of stopping at Disneyland for the day after crossing the border. The contrast was jarring. After a week in dirt, dust, and scarcity, the place felt impossibly pristine—almost unreal.
It’s not the rides I remember, or even the magical atmosphere—it was the food.
We ate at the Plaza Inn and ordered turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy. It tasted amazing, better than a Michelin-star meal. Of course it wasn’t, but after a week of rice and beans, it felt luxurious.
I’ve felt the same thing after backpacking trips. After days in the wilderness, a simple Coke from McDonald's became an indescribable treat of bubbly deliciousness—like nothing I'd ever experienced.
But the lesson isn’t about food.
It’s about contrast.
Ordinary things become extraordinary when contrast brings their beauty into focus.
A change of environment, a break in routine, a shift in perspective—these small contrasts can wake up your senses and bring your life back into vivid color.
We don’t need dramatic changes to feel more alive.
We need contrasting experiences that make the familiar feel new again.
If you’ve been living on autopilot, maybe what you need isn’t more effort or more discipline—it’s simply something different. A change of scenery. A new challenge. A break in the pattern.
Contrast is the secret sauce of life. Add a little, and the extraordinary begins to shine again.
THINGS WORTH THINKING ABOUT
Approximately 160,000 people die each day around the world—that’s more than 58 million every year.
Of this total, about 4.4 million deaths each year stem from injuries and violence (accidents, traffic crashes, homicide). That's nearly 1 in 12 of all deaths. (World Health Organization)
Two take-aways:
If you’re reading this, be grateful you weren’t one of yesterday’s 160,000.
With millions of unexpected deaths each year, tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone.
What will you do today to live more intentionally and appreciate your one wild and precious life?
THINGS WORTH TRYING
Where has familiarity dulled your sense of wonder and appreciation?
Here are a few simple ways to restore excitement to your days:
Do something for the first time.
Novelty is pure contrast. Try a new restaurant, a new flavor, or a new route home. First-time experiences wake up your senses.
Expand your circle.
Talk with people you don’t normally interact with. New faces bring new stories—and new stories bring fresh energy into your life.
Add one small moment of discomfort.
Take a cold shower, park in the farthest spot, or tackle a task you usually hand off. A touch of discomfort sharpens your appreciation for everything else.
Change your inputs.
Swap your usual media for a podcast, book, or playlist outside your typical preferences. New ideas create new energy.
BEFORE YOU GO
Sometimes it’s good to experience less-than-ideal conditions—they remind us how much we have and how much we often take for granted. I hope you find at least one moment this week that feels exciting and new.
Stay inspired by the life you’re living,
Kevin
Take Two—11/13/2025
Ideas and inspiration for a life less ordinary.
November 13, 2025
Words to Wonder:
The Art of What Comes Next
“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened.”
— Alexander Graham Bell
Perspectives to Ponder
This past weekend, my wife, Vicky, and I went to the Stranger Things premiere at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. It was an epic people-watching extravaganza—the red carpet, the cast, the first episode of the final season, and the after-party under the lights of Hollywood Boulevard.
But it wasn’t until the Duffer Brothers (the show’s creators) spoke that I realized something. For many, a premiere is a glitzy celebration. But for the cast and crew, it’s also a goodbye. After ten years of working together, this was their final bow.
Transitions are fascinating things. We often focus on what’s ending instead of what’s beginning. I’ve felt that myself this week. After 18 months of writing Words to Wonder, it’s finally out in the world—which means, in a way, that chapter is over.
Fortunately, I’ve learned that momentum matters. So, the day after Words to Wonder launched, I started writing my next book, The Rules of Money, The Laws of Wealth. I can’t wait for you to read it... someday... after I write it.
Maybe you’re standing in a doorway too—between what was and what’s next. If so, don’t spend too long looking back. The best beginnings start before we feel ready. A year from now, you might be amazed at where you are... simply because you decided to start today.
THINGS WORTH THINKING ABOUT
Every minute, your body replaces 300 million cells. In seven years, nearly every part of you will be different from who you are today. You are, in a very real way, becoming an entirely new person.
What habits, stories, or fears might you shed to match the person you’re becoming?
Your heart beats about 100,000 times a day—steady, tireless, and unwavering.
What else quietly sustains your life that you rarely notice? Gratitude begins in the things we forget to see.
YOU’RE INVITED!
Join me for a 45-minute live experience—part workshop, part book club.
Thursday, November 20 at 12:00 PM PT.
This is a chance to pause, reflect, and connect as we explore a few of the themes from my new book, Words to Wonder.
Through stories, conversation, and shared insights, you’ll leave feeling inspired to live with greater intention and perspective.
[Register here] — space is limited, so sign up today.
BEFORE YOU GO
Whether you’re in a season of beginnings or endings, I hope you find hope in what comes next. Life will always be changing, but there will always be wonder and possibility—if we choose to look for it.
Stay inspired by the life you’re living,
Kevin
Take Two—11/6/2025
Ideas and inspiration for a life less ordinary.
November 6, 2025
Words to Wonder:
The Value of Anything
“The value of anything is its ability to help you live the life you want. Nothing more.”
— Morgan Housel
Perspectives to Ponder
If you’re anything like me, you’ve got a lot of stuff—tucked away in drawers and bins, stacked on shelves, carried from one stage of life to the next. Books, papers, souvenirs, gadgets, keepsakes. Thousands of things in all.
But instead of thinking about how much we have, maybe we should think about what it’s really worth—not in dollars, but in meaning. Morgan Housel defines value as anything that helps us live the life we want. By that measure, how valuable are the things that fill our lives—our possessions, our commitments, even our relationships?
Author Bob Goff once said, “The more I quit doing things that are distractions, the better my life becomes.” Maybe the path to a richer life isn’t found in adding more, but in letting go—of the things, habits, or pursuits that no longer help us live the life we want.
What’s taking up space in your life that no longer adds value? Maybe it’s time to clear the clutter and make room for what truly matters.
THINGS WORTH THINKING ABOUT
WORDS TO WONDER IS AVAILABLE ON KINDLE
The Kindle edition of Words to Wonder is now live on Amazon! The official launch is Monday, November 10, but as a special thank-you to my newsletter readers, I’m offering early access to the Kindle version this week at a Friends and Family price of just $0.99.
It’s my way of saying thank you for being part of this community and for supporting my work. I hope Words to Wonder inspires you to pause, reflect, and see your life with new perspective.
LESSONS IN LIFE
BEFORE YOU GO
If there’s a thread running through this week’s thoughts, it’s this: value what helps you live well, not just what feels comfortable and safe. The life we want often requires us to let go of what no longer fits. This week I hope you find yourself surrounded by the things that truly help you live the life you want.
Stay inspired by the life you’re living,
Kevin
Take Two—10/30/2025
Ideas and inspiration for a life less ordinary.
October 30, 2025
Words to Wonder:
The Antidote to Fear
“Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the making of action in spite of fear, the moving out against the resistance engendered by fear into the unknown and into the future.”
— M. Scott Peck
Perspectives to Ponder
I have an unusual relationship with fear. There’s ample evidence in my life that I’m willing to do things that scare me. My curiosity has led me to swim with sharks, compete in martial arts tournaments, backpack through the wilderness, jump off cliffs, and—perhaps most terrifying of all—raise kids.
Yet I still get anxious when I fly. I dread going to the doctor. And despite having given thousands of talks to all kinds of audiences, I still face fear every time I share something I write—whether it’s this newsletter, a quick post on LinkedIn, or especially, a book.
When I speak, the words vanish once they’re said. But when I write, they live forever. There’s a vulnerability in that permanence. No one wants to look foolish, and publishing words always carries the risk that someone will find them stupid, irrelevant, or meaningless. And yet, we all want what we create to matter.
So why am I telling you this? Mostly to remind myself (and maybe you) that action is the antidote to fear. Moving against the resistance, into the unknown, is scary—but it’s also where growth begins and new adventures take shape.
Where has fear been holding you hostage from the life you want to live? Where could you take one step forward today, even while afraid?
I’m always grateful for the quiet voices that whisper courage into my own fears—reminding me to keep going. If you need someone in your corner, let me know. I’ll gladly cheer you on as you brave new waters.
THINGS WORTH THINKING ABOUT
MORE TO THE STORY
Last week I shared my disappointment at discovering there was no cherry pie hiding inside the Crisco can in my cupboard. Turns out I wasn’t alone in my pie-related disappointment.
One reader wrote to tell me that when she was four, she dug a hole in the yard, filled it with Crisco, covered it with dirt, and watered it faithfully for days—hoping to grow an apple pie tree.
Turns out, the recipe for disappointment starts with a can of Crisco.
EARLY KINDLE RELEASE—Words to Wonder
The Kindle edition of Words to Wonder comes out next week—one week before the official November 10 launch. For a short time, you can get it for just $0.99.
I’d love for you to grab a copy, enjoy it, and share it with a friend.
LIFE LESSONS IN A LINE
BEFORE YOU GO
If you’re anything like me, you’re probably hoping for a week free of fear. But in the (unfortunately) likely event that we’re not so lucky, may you find the courage to take action — even a small one — and step into the unknown adventures your fears would keep you from.
Stay inspired by the life you’re living,
Kevin
Take Two—10/23/2025
Ideas and inspiration for a life less ordinary.
October 23, 2025
Words to Wonder:
When Life Serves You Crisco
“Disappointment is the ache of unmet expectation—and an invitation to awaken new dreams and travel farther than you ever planned to go.”
Perspectives to Ponder
From the time I was a kid, I loved cherry pie—the flaky crust, the mix of sweet and tart cherries, pure perfection. Unfortunately, cherry pies were rare in our house, as rare as solar eclipses or winning lottery tickets.
One afternoon after school, rummaging through the cupboards for something to eat, I spotted what looked like a cherry pie in a can. It didn’t make sense, but there it was—a bright blue label with a picture of a golden-baked cherry pie practically begging me to open it.
Curiosity (and hunger) won. I peeled back the lid, ready to enjoy a rare treat—only to find a white, pasty substance staring back at me. I convinced myself it must be some kind of astronaut food—a space-age cherry pie reimagined for the modern snacker. So, naturally, I grabbed a spoon and took a big bite.
It was awful, possibly the worst thing I’ve ever tasted. To say I was disappointed is an understatement—a memory that still lingers today, equal parts comedy and cautionary tale.
Years later, I discovered that the “pie” in a can was actually Crisco—lard used to make pie crusts, not pies. Oh, the evils of advertising.
We all face disappointment. No one is spared. We’re disappointed by people, by circumstances, and sometimes most of all, by ourselves. For some, disappointment becomes a way of life—something inescapable. But we needn’t let it derail or drag us down.
So what do we do when disappointment crashes through the door, uninvited and unwelcome? Here are three practices that help me keep it in perspective:
Shift the story. Disappointment lives in the gap between what we imagined and what actually is. When you shift from what’s missing to what could be, its hold begins to fade.
Practice gratitude in the gap. Instead of wallowing in disappointment, take a few moments to name the things you're grateful for right now. Gratitude counters disappointment if we give it the opportunity to compete.
Separate outcome from effort. You can do everything right and still not get the result you want—that doesn’t make the effort meaningless. With the Crisco encounter, my curiosity didn’t pay off—but so many other times, it has.
Disappointment is inevitable. Defeat is optional. Each time we face it with honesty, reflection, and perspective, we take what's undesirable and let it refine us.
So the next time life serves you a can of Crisco when you were expecting cherry pie, smile — and remember: the ingredients for joy are still in the cupboard, waiting to be found.
THINGS WORTH THINKING ABOUT
Wayne Dyer on what comes out when life squeezes you → Watch on TikTok
Instructions for Living a Life by Mary Oliver
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.
19 DAYS TO GO — Words to Wonder
I’ve already read and reread this book half a dozen times. I can’t wait to finally share it.
LIFE LESSONS IN A LINE
BEFORE YOU GO
Disappointment has a way of disrupting our days and distracting us from what truly matters.
But it doesn’t get the last word—not unless we let it. I hope you meet whatever disappointments you encounter this week with perspective and the quiet confidence that for every can of Crisco, there’s a cherry pie waiting to be found.
Stay inspired by the life you’re living,
Kevin
P.S. Know someone who could use a spark of inspiration for a life less ordinary? Share this newsletter and brighten their week.
Take Two—10/16/2025
Ideas and inspiration for a life less ordinary.
October 16, 2025
Words to Wonder:
The Trade We All Make
“The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts... Our life is what our thoughts make of it.”
— Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor
Perspectives to Ponder
When I was about 10 or 11, I collected baseball cards. I wasn’t an expert—I judged a card’s worth by whether I knew the player. One afternoon, while flipping through cards with some older kids, a boy offered me a trade. He’d give me a handful of new cards of players on the San Francisco Giants, my favorite team, in exchange for an old card I had—some guy named Ted Williams. I’d never heard of him, so I made the deal.
Years later, I realized what I’d given away—Ted Williams was a legend, and I’d traded greatness for the familiar, lasting value for something all but worthless.
Looking back, it’s easy to see how naïve that trade was—yet we still make trades like it every day, only now the cards are our thoughts.
We trade gratitude for grievance, patience for urgency, wonder for worry, depth for distraction. And slowly, thought by thought, our inner life becomes colored by those choices.
Marcus Aurelius reminds us that our thoughts don’t just describe our life; they design it. They determine what we pursue, what we see as valuable, and how we experience the world. The quality of our thoughts becomes the quality of our life.
Choose your thoughts with care. In time, they’ll become the portrait of your life.
Not-So-Ordinary Finds
Click Here to read the article.
A beautiful reminder to slow down and notice life as it’s happening. About Time is tender, funny, and quietly profound—a story about love, time, and finding wonder in the ordinary moments we often overlook.
Help Me Launch Words to Wonder
Every book begins with a few helping hands — I’d love yours to help launch Words to Wonder. [Click here for more info]
Life Lessons in a Line
Before You Go
The quality of our days often mirrors the quality of our thoughts. Guard your thoughts well this week. They’re shaping more than your mindset — they’re shaping your life.
Stay inspired by the life you’re living,
Kevin
P.S. Know someone who could use a spark of inspiration for a life less ordinary? Share this newsletter and brighten their week.
Take Two—10/9/2025
Ideas and inspiration for a life less ordinary.
October 9, 2025
Words to Wonder:
Are you brave enough to slowly listen?
“Communication moves in two directions, even when one person speaks and another listens silently. When the listener is totally present, the speaker often communicates differently... Formulating an opinion is not listening. Neither is preparing a response, or defending our position or attacking another's. To listen impatiently is to hear nothing at all. Listening is suspending disbelief.”
— Rick Rubin, legendary music producer and creative sage
Perspectives to Ponder
We have a bias for speed in our communication.
Not just in texting or instant messaging—but in conversation itself. We admire the person who always has a quick, articulate reply. Their readiness feels like intelligence; their ease, like confidence.
But I wonder if our bias for speed sometimes undermines our ability to truly connect. Because if we were to fully listen—without preparing our reply or rehearsing our thoughts—we might have to sit in silence when the other person stops talking. And silence can feel uncomfortable. It can make us look like we don’t know what to say.
Yet something powerful happens when we resist the urge to rush and instead listen with our full attention—without agenda or interruption. In that quiet space, we give others room to think more clearly, to speak more freely, and we vastly increase our chances of actually understanding what they mean.
Rick Rubin’s insight is profound: “When the listener is totally present, the speaker often communicates differently.” Your attentive presence can be the catalyst that helps someone else find their voice.
Listening—real listening—isn’t passive. It’s thoughtfulness and respect in action. It’s being strong enough to give someone else the stage so you both walk away with a deeper, fuller understanding than when you began.
Are you brave enough to slowly listen?
Life Lessons in a Line
Listening is the patient art of making another person feel heard and understood—proof that your presence and attention speak louder than any quick reply ever could.
A New Chapter Begins
I’m excited to share that my new book, Words to Wonder, releases November 10.
Words to Wonder: 100 Quotes with Reflections and Stories to Inspire the Life You’ve Imagined.
A companion to my first book, A Life Worth Living, it’s filled with timeless quotations, engaging stories, and thought-provoking reflections—a daily dose of perspective and inspiration to help you live the life you imagine.
Stay tuned for more soon.
More to the Story
During his eighteen-year career as a Major League Baseball pitcher, Lee Smith was known for his long, slow walks from the bullpen to the pitcher's mound. Most believed it was part of Lee's strategy to intimidate the batters he would face. But there was more to the story.
Smith was friends with the stadium groundskeepers. He found out that they got paid extra wages if the afternoon games stretched beyond 4:30 pm. Wanting to do his part to help his friends earn some extra money, Smith started the practice of taking his time and walking slowly to the mound in order to delay the end of the game.
Lee’s gesture didn’t cost him anything, but his actions were thoughtful and helped his friends. Sometimes it’s the smallest gestures—an encouraging word, a few extra minutes, a simple act of consideration—that leave the deepest mark. What small kindness could you offer someone today to make their load a little lighter?
There’s more to Lee’s story — and it’s worth the read. [Read it here.]
Before You Go
Life expands—or contracts—in proportion to our awareness and attention.
May you live this week with enough stillness to notice the beauty and wonder that hurry too often hides.
Stay inspired by the life you’re living,
Kevin
P.S. Know someone who could use a spark of inspiration for a life less ordinary? Share this newsletter and brighten their week.
Take Two—10/2/2025
Ideas and inspiration for a life less ordinary.
October 2, 2025
Words to Wonder:
Discomfort—The Price of Wonder
“A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are built for.”
— John A. Shedd
Perspectives to Ponder
I’m in Scotland this week—my first visit here. I was excited to come, but I knew there would be challenges too. Driving on the opposite side of the road was one. On our first day, we faced a 3.5-hour drive that turned into an unplanned detour. We relied on Google Maps, only to find ourselves hopelessly lost on narrow, winding backroads. Already tired from a long travel day from London, it felt overwhelming. At one point, I honestly wished I could turn the car around and skip Scotland altogether.
But we eventually found our way, and since then, Scotland has been breathtaking—wildly beautiful, rich in history. The ratio of good to bad is overwhelmingly stacked in favor of the good. And yet, those moments of frustration are part of the story too.
Ruins near Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh
Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scottish Highlands
It’s a healthy reminder: you don’t get the wonder without some discomfort. You don’t discover new places without the risk of getting lost. No one’s life is all good, all the time—and in our desire to avoid the difficult, we often miss the magical.
The Quiraing on the Isle of Skye, in the Scottish Highlands
The truth is, life’s most extraordinary moments often come wrapped in a little discomfort. Getting lost means you’re exploring. Struggling means you’re stretching. Frustration means you’re learning something new. If we insist on avoiding the bumps in the road, we also miss the breathtaking views along the way. The challenge and the wonder are inseparable. To live fully, we must embrace both.
Life Lessons in a Line
Every extraordinary moment carries a hidden cost: the willingness to be uncomfortable along the way.
Not-So-Ordinary Finds
The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter
Modern life is too easy—and it’s making us restless, anxious, and unfulfilled. Easter argues that embracing challenge, discomfort, and even misadventure is the key to meaning and vitality. A field guide to getting uncomfortable in all the best ways.
The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
Based on Stoic wisdom, this book flips frustration on its head: the problem in front of you isn’t blocking the path—it is the path. A sharp reminder that every challenge carries the seed of opportunity.
The Problem with Perfection
Still pursuing perfection?
Perhaps you’re looking at it all wrong. I wrote about a man named Wayne whose idea of “perfect” might change how you see it too. Read the story here.
Before You Go
The week ahead may hold its share of bumps and frustrations, but it can also offer the beauty beyond them—the discoveries that only come when you’re willing to be uncomfortable. Here’s to leaning into both, and finding wonder along the way.
Stay inspired by the life you’re living,
Kevin
P.S. Know someone who could use a spark of inspiration for a life less ordinary? Share this newsletter and brighten their week.
Take Two—9/25/25
Ideas and inspiration for a life less ordinary.
September 25, 2025
Words to Wonder—The Cost of Chasing Shadows
“The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there is no cat.”
— Confucius, philosopher
Perspectives to Ponder
Years ago, I offered to pick up a friend from the airport. Running late, I found the first empty spot and raced inside. I met her just as she exited the gate, grabbed her bag, and we chatted as we walked back to the garage. I exited the elevator and went to the spot where I had parked my car… and it was gone.
I resisted the urge to panic, retraced my steps, and thought maybe I wasn’t on the third floor after all, but the fourth. I climbed the stairs to the fourth floor—no car. Then I checked the second. Still no. I checked the fourth again, then the fifth, then the first.
After ninety minutes of circling the garage, I was certain my car had vanished. My friend finally suggested trying higher floors. Even though I was positive I couldn’t have parked any higher than the fifth, I reluctantly agreed. I checked the sixth, and then the seventh. And there it was, right where I’d left it—just four levels higher than I remembered.
Searching for something that isn’t there is futile. It’s frustrating, even maddening. But we do it all the time. We worry about problems that don’t exist, fueled only by fear. We misinterpret someone’s reaction and waste hours obsessing over what we might have done wrong. We ask advice from people who’ve never walked the road we’re on. We repeat the same actions that failed us yesterday, expecting different results. In short, we waste a lot of time searching dark rooms for black cats that simply aren’t there.
Where are you wasting energy on problems that don’t exist? Where are you stumbling in the dark after non-existent black cats? And what might change if you spent that energy intentionally creating the life you want to live?
Life Lessons in a Line
Every hour wasted on problems that don’t exist steals from you twice—first in the peace of mind lost to fear, and then in the life you never lived.
Ideas Worth Stealing
Digital Sunset
In Digital Minimalism, Cal Newport suggests choosing a nightly “digital sunset”—a set time to power down screens and let your mind rest. It’s a small shift that pays off in deeper sleep and calmer mornings.
The Phone-Free First Hour
Leadership coach Robin Sharma suggests guarding the first hour of your day as “sacred time”—no phone, no email, just space for reading, reflecting, or creating. Begin with focus instead of frenzy.
Before You Go
So much clamors for our attention—glowing screens, crowded schedules, endless to-dos, and the constant work demands.
May the week ahead bring you fewer worries and distractions, and more moments of joy.
Stay inspired by the life you’re living,
Kevin
P.S. Know someone who could use a spark of inspiration for a life less ordinary? Share this newsletter and brighten their week.
Take Two—9/18/2025
Ideas and inspiration for a life less ordinary.
September 18, 2025
Words to Wonder—The Pieces That Shape Us
“I am pieces of all the places I have been, and the people I have loved. I’ve been stitched together by song lyrics, book quotes, adventure, late-night conversations, moonlight, and the smell of coffee.”
— Brooke Hampton, author
Perspectives to Ponder
I was reading a book this morning where the author reminisced about his time in law school, living in a tiny apartment. It was rundown—only one burner on the stove worked, which hardly mattered since he had just one pot to cook his meals (usually pasta). Though broke and living in less-than-ideal conditions, he looked back on those days with fondness.
It reminded me of when I lived with four other guys in a dilapidated old house with just two bedrooms and one bathroom. The neighborhood wasn't much better. We had rats in the house and no heat. On cold winter nights, we’d turn on the oven, open the door, and huddle around it for warmth. It was by far the worst place I’ve lived, yet I stayed for years and made many wonderful memories.
Looking back, those moments didn’t feel remarkable at the time. They were messy, uncomfortable, and far from easy. But stitched together, they’ve become some of the richest parts of my story. That’s what Brooke Hampton’s words remind us: we aren’t shaped only by the highlights, but by the whole collection—the people, the places, and yes, even the pain.
What forgotten fragments—messy, ordinary, or joyful—have shaped who you are today? Nothing in your past was wasted. Every piece has added depth and color. This week, don’t just chase new moments—remember the old ones that made you who you are.
Life Lessons in a Line
Regret whispers, "If only," while Courage shouts, "What if."
Not-So-Ordinary Finds
Try Something New for 30 Days – Matt Cutts
(TED Talk, 3 minutes)
A quick, witty reminder that small experiments can spark big change.
👉 Watch the TED Talk here
One Day, Two Wonders
While in Kauai a couple of weeks ago, I set out to watch both the sunrise and the sunset in the same day. Experiencing its bookends—its beginning and end—changed how I held the hours in between. It reminded me that each day is complete in itself, and worth noticing.
👉 Try it sometime: choose one day this month to catch both, and see how it changes the way you appreciate the hours in between.
Before You Go
While reading this week, I came across the word numinous. I had to look it up—it means a feeling of awe and wonder in the presence of something greater, filled with a sense of the divine.
After a week in Kauai—hiking rugged mountains and canyons, swimming in an ocean alive with fish, and watching sunsets set the sky on fire—I was reminded just how numinous the world can be, despite the struggles and disappointments. My hope is that you, too, find numinous moments in the days ahead.
Stay inspired by the life you’re living. Until next time,
Kevin
Take Two: 9/11/2025
Ideas and inspiration for a life less ordinary.
September 11, 2025
Words to Wonder: Truth and Love Will Win
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall.”
— Mahatma Gandhi
Perspectives to Ponder
I try to live with intention—to see the good in people and the beauty in the world. But sometimes, the events happening in the world make that nearly impossible.
Iryna Zarutska was a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee. She was stabbed to death by a stranger on a light rail train in Charlotte. There was no provocation, no encounter. Her murderer, seated behind her, simply stood up and attacked. Onlookers did nothing, and Iryna died alone on the floor of that train.
Yesterday, 31-year-old Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking on a college campus. He was a conservative political figure, and some who disagreed with him celebrated his death. Regardless of whether you agreed with his views, the fact that anyone would rejoice in his murder simply because of differing opinions is shocking and disturbing.
And today marks the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Thousands of lives were stolen in a single morning of horror.
These reminders are stark. They reveal what we’d rather ignore: there is evil in the world—so pervasive and brazen that it feels suffocating.
In moments like this, it’s easy to despair and lose hope. The idea that goodness will triumph can seem naïve. And yet Gandhi’s words remind us: truth and love always win. History bears witness. Martin Luther King Jr. echoed this same conviction: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
Both men spoke these words at great cost—both were assassinated by the very hatred they sought to overcome. Still, their conviction in love and justice remains a light to follow.
I cannot pretend I feel hopeful in this moment. But I know this: my desire to live fully—to pursue a life of purpose and meaning—remains. And that kind of life is only possible when it is rooted in love, purpose, kindness, tolerance, and grace—especially when the world feels overcome by hatred.
So here is the challenge: don’t surrender to despair, nor become indifferent to violence. Instead, let’s stubbornly live as if love still wins—because it does. Choose to respond to cruelty with compassion. Speak truth with grace. Stand firm in decency. Refuse to let hatred have the final word.
The world needs more people who live like that. Let’s be among them.
Life Lessons in a Line
An extraordinary life is impossible if you allow despair to write your story—but it flourishes when you choose to live with compassion, hope, and love.
Not-So-Ordinary Finds
A Short Guide to a Happy Life – Anna Quindlen
In this brief but powerful 64-page book, Anna Quindlen reminds us that happiness isn’t found in achievements or possessions, but in noticing life as it is.
TED Talk: “The Art of Stillness” — Pico Iyer (15 minutes)
Travel writer Pico Iyer explores why the greatest adventure isn’t always moving faster or farther, but learning to be still.
Before You Go
Even in dark times, glimpses of beauty and kindness remind us that goodness still breaks through. May you notice those moments in the days ahead—and let them renew your resolve to live with compassion, hope, and love.
Stay inspired by the life you’re living. Until next time,
Kevin
Take Two—9/3/2025
Ideas and inspiration for a life less ordinary.
September 3, 2025
Words to Wonder
“You cannot change the seasons, but you can change yourself. Therein lies the opportunity to live an extraordinary life, the opportunity to change yourself.”
— Jim Rohn, motivational speaker and author (1930–2009)
Perspectives to Ponder
Like it or not, seasons change, circumstances shift, and challenges arise. The secret to living an extraordinary life isn’t resisting these inevitable cycles, but recognizing your power to adapt, grow, and thrive through them.
Too often, we focus on what we can’t change. We blame the economy, our upbringing, the past, or the people in power. But the real question is: What are you doing with what you can control?
Your thoughts, your habits, your reactions—your ability to learn and adapt—these are yours to shape. That’s where extraordinary living begins.
Stop waiting for things to improve. Be the reason they do.
Life Lessons in a Line
Distraction is the thief that steals life in small, unnoticed moments.
Not-So-Ordinary Finds
Sometimes it’s the simple things that add spice to our lives—adding wonder to an otherwise ordinary day. Here are a couple of things that have sparked joy for me lately:
Music:
🎶 Let Me In by Dermot Kennedy - soulful and stirring.
Celebration:
🎉 Walter’s Birthday Party. Celebrating with his neighborhood pals.
Before You Go
There are 120 days left in 2025—each one filled with possibility, depending on how we choose to live it.
Whatever season you find yourself in—whether challenging or easy—I hope you uncover reasons to celebrate along the way.
Stay inspired by the life you’re living. Until next time,
Kevin