I believe in artificial deadlines. As May approached, I decided that May 7 was the day I was going to start getting serious. Psychologically, we are inclined to think of life in milestones, in groupings of calendar years and age years, in life events like moves and job changes.

So seis de Mayo came. The months leading up to it had been monastic meanderings to coffee shops in Los Feliz feeling the feels of self-inflicted isolation. I had turned inward and went on some bad dates. Nothing seemed in alignment except my connection to myself to some extent. I have to admit I was dealing with some anger management issues and inexplicable fatigue. Some places just drain you. Some practices just drain you.

My list of goals became less objective. Instead of “lose 15 pounds,” it became “stop giving people second chances.” Continue reading Life plans →