Our lives, when retold, are often grossly simplified.  They become shaped by the stories others tell about us–and by how we behave around them in turn. A collection of assumptions and averages. When viewed from a distance, our life might look like a set of data points, trending in

Given how similar humans are, we live remarkably different lives. Culture is powerful. Some live ascetically, others altruistically, and many hedonistically. But there is no correct way to live. We all operate differently. Our philosophical outlooks are shaped by genetics, environment, age, and condition–not universal truths, but adaptations to

Just as the moon waxes and wanes, so too do we. Our states are as sure to turn as the tide. Yet, when darkness encroaches, we don’t yield to its certain saturation. We exhaust ourselves trying to prevent the inevitable; we cling to moments of bliss as if they