Context is everything is one of those phrases that sounds so obvious it almost feels meaningless. It’s a cliché. But it’s also something people say when they want to sound wise but don’t take the time to get specific. And yet. I’m increasingly convinced it’s the truest and most useful cliché we have. Because nothing we decide, believe, buy, justify, defend, or regret exists outside of context. Every choice lives inside a story. And most of the time, we’re responding to the story more than the facts. When […]

This morning I went to meditate and realized I only had my fancy candle left. Not the regular candle. Not the “this is fine for a Tuesday” candle. The special one. The one I’ve been saving like it’s a limited edition relic from a lost civilization. The candle equivalent of good china. Normally I light a candle before I start meditation. Then I blow it out when I’m done. It’s a small ritual and a comfort. A tiny line in the sand between my real life and the