True Freedom: The Courage to Let Things Die
I met my client in the redwoods of the Oakland Hills. For our meetings, we hike together — moving through quiet trails, letting the rhythm of walking open the rhythm of conversation.
I’ve had the great honor of working with him off and on for over ten years. In that time, he’s left the tech world, built his own business, and grown into a leader who trusts himself completely.
Today, as we walked beneath the trees, he shared a story about negotiating a lease for a new store in a Santa Clara development. When the numbers didn’t align, he walked away.
The Sharpest Tool in My Life
I love a great kitchen knife.
On Sundays in Montclair, Oakland, there’s a local farmers market. Sometimes, a woman sets up a small table just outside it. On that table are handmade knives from Japan.
One Sunday, I picked one up and instantly fell in love.
The balance. The weight. The beauty of it as a tool. I had to buy it.
That knife has become a reminder of my consciousness.
It cuts cleanly, effortlessly, with precision.
Energy Never Lies
✧ The Truth Beneath Our Words
It was 7:00 AM.
I was in line at the checkout, holding nothing more than tampons and Advil.
When it was my turn, the clerk smiled and asked,
“How are you?”
With my best smile, I replied,
“I’m fine.”
She looked me straight in the eye and said,
“You’re a liar.”
Energy Never Lies
The Truth Always Leaks Out
It was 7:00 a.m. I stood in line with a box of tampons and some Advil.
When it was my turn, I handed them to the clerk. She smiled and asked how I was doing.
With my best smile, I said, "I’m fine."
She looked me straight in the eye and said, “You’re a liar.”
I burst out laughing—because she was right.
When I asked how she knew, she said the Advil and tampons were one clue.
But mostly, it was my voice. “You sounded miserable.”
She didn’t just hear me. She felt me.
Challenging Times
We Can Do Hard Things (And We Don’t Have to Do Them Alone)
I haven’t written in two months—and it’s been a season.
My daughter had double jaw surgery, followed by an emergency procedure for a rare infection. My partner had heart surgery. In between: a sick dog, a broken tooth, failing appliances, major car repairs, and the discovery of mold and termites in our downstairs room.
And still—here I am, back at my desk, showing up to my work.
What I’ve learned is still unfolding, but I want to share what’s clear—especially for anyone navigating their own version of overwhelm, uncertainty, or burnout in work or life.
Because these lessons—about capacity, intuition, and receiving support—aren’t just personal.
They are deeply professional.