Back when I was getting my teaching degree, I learned in detail the steps to creating and carrying out a formal lesson plan. Though this was a process in the art of teaching, the last and very crucial step (once the lesson had been taught to students) was to engage in my own learning and self-reflection. This reflection not only involved gauging what the students took away from the lesson, but what myself as the teacher learned too. This would entail considering the strengths and shortcomings, if the goal had been reached, and where I could improve next time. The teaching and the learning went hand in hand. I love that Corey emphasizes the value of setting aside that time for reflection, and it motivates me to think more about how often I sit back and actually do it myself - whether that means pausing to check in on my relationships, work, my health, and even my spiritual learnings. And the greater self-discovery that could come from doing so more regularly.

- Amanda

Read More

I think perspective is everything, especially while going through a period of transition. I remember during each of my college winter breaks, I generally kept busy with preparing for the upcoming spring semester, while also catching up with friends every chance I got. And not that anything was wrong with doing that. But one break I decided to act more "selfishly" and focus on myself in order to get more in touch, specifically, with my spirituality. And for four weeks, I spent more time in solitude than I ever had before. And I am so grateful to this day that I didn't do what I thought I "should" do while on break to "make the most" of my time, because it became such a necessary step to strengthen my spiritual growth and to free my mind and therefore be able to be more present with others. And Corey's blog reminds me of the importance of leaning into intuition and experiences that will be rejuvenating.

- Amanda

Read More

I love how I can read this and all of a sudden feel like I'm a part of Corey's happily energized morning routine. What a wonderful mindset to start the day in, one that I suppose not only evokes more joy, but also fuels greater curiosity and creativity while in "work mode." Thank you for being open and sharing your lively spirit, Corey!

- Amanda

Read More

I've realized as I've grown older and have had more on my plate that mindfulness really does present itself in the little things while I'm going about my day. I can actually gauge my mindfulness on my daily dog walks... specifically, (and I know this may sound silly) by how much patience I have when my dogs stop to sniff. Some days their stopping at the trees and poles and hydrants feels like foreverrr because I just want to keep moving with a fast, steady pace, so I yank their leash more to keep them going. Which only results in my feeling bad about it after. But I appreciate the days when I feel more present and notice the lightness in my step and thus slow the walk down a bit to fully enjoy it. And it's the best when I run into another fellow dog walker and we both pause to chat and introduce one another and our pups. I like practicing mindfulness with neighbors too, and I think they enjoy it as well.

Thank you Corey for evoking in me a desire to take a small break and reflect here at my desk.

- Amanda

Read More

I am very glad I read Corey's piece below exactly when I did today. As someone who is big on frequently checking the time and planning agendas to the quarter-hour, I often find myself rushing around and feeling quite off if I miss a to-do that I aimed to carve out time for, even a small one. And this week, my first week back after a relaxing vacation, I found myself rushing even more and feeling the need to get ahead especially after "lost time" being offline and away from home. And after a few minor personal injuries which resulted due to literally moving too fast and trying to keep up with the ticking time, I realized by Thursday that I needed to slow down and breathe. So Corey's blog below came at the perfect time (no pun intended) for me as I close out a far too fast-paced week. I've realized sometimes I need to spend a little less time planning out the chunks of time in my day in advance and more on simply enjoying all the little unfolding pieces as they come.

- Amanda

Read More

I love that Corey took what could have otherwise been seen as a limitation or hindrance to his daily tasks and movements, and turned it into something so meaningful - a positive reminder for the overall nature he'd like to embody and go forth with.

Thank you Corey, for sharing all that you learned and re-connected with through your injury... and for tying it to a very compelling Chinese expression that I appreciate you bringing to light.

- Amanda

Read More

After reading Corey's piece below, I thought of a specific chapter from "The Untethered Soul" by Michael A. Singer. It's titled "Contemplating Death," where it actually sheds a very positive light on passing... It discusses how, because death reveals a limit, it can serve to encourage people to live life more deeply and openly. It is as though it is the greatest teacher of all in that it reminds one to journey freely through each day with boldness and curiosity, rather than be lost in mental chatter or trivial annoyances. Corey's writing here reminds me how sometimes having boundaries, or perhaps measurable calculations of time in this instance, can actually be very eye-opening and thus joyfully liberating.

- Amanda

Read More

I was quickly reminded of Joe Esposito's 20 Greatest Hits on Listening, wonderfully written back in 2018, after reading Corey's blog. "Talking less and listening more" was actually one of my new year's resolutions for this year. And Corey's piece has me consider more how perhaps listening, deeply listening, is a skill that takes practice over time to truly strengthen and cultivate. I feel there may always be a bit more to gain and learn and understand from someone's words, even written words as well. For me, it may just take being fully present to access it in that moment, despite a busy world and hectic schedule.

Joe's "20 Greatest Hits on Listening" is attached below as a PDF if you'd like to take a look! I think each and every one of his 20 learnings are unique and hold so much wisdom.

- Amanda

Read More

I love how Corey so profoundly puts into words what happens in between the lines, which may otherwise be scribbled over. And I love the deeper meaning discovered... meaning and understanding found simply within tiny moments shared with others. Thank you Corey, for bringing to light the simple yet sincere ways we cross paths and connect with those around us, even if it's through just a small signal.

- Amanda

Read More

I’m sitting here finding myself feeling a little uncomfortable because of just how much Corey’s piece resonates with me. It’s happened especially recently where a friend has surprised me with little things or gifts when they come over, or even an unexpected holiday card, and I then feel like I need to do something in return. I start to keep score in my head when no one ever actually said that this is a game. The church community I was a part of in college took communion by volunteers standing in the front of the sanctuary physically handing the partakers a piece of bread and the wine to dip it into. I loved this because it was a weekly reminder of how in the Christian tradition grace can only be given to you as a free gift - you can’t do anything to deserve it or to “give back” (although you could pass it on). I think of that image often. Especially in this season of both giving and receiving, I am grateful for Corey’s conviction that it is okay to just receive…and one day I will likely give back perhaps without even knowing.

- Lauren

Read More

I think we live in a world where data is king - the more data the better. And I don’t think we often enough stop to think about why we actually care about some of this data. When I look back at my life, I don’t want to think about how many days in a row I reached my goal step count - I would like to think I would focus on the relationships I made (which very likely may be while I was walking or running!). Corey ponders this below. Have a wonderful weekend!

- Lauren

Read More

A philosopher whose work I admire, Martha Nussbaum, has a theory about human development (and the development of a society) that includes a list of things people could be capable of - and if they are, then we can consider this society developed. Some are the ability to live in good health for what is considered a normal lifespan, the ability to move freely from place to place, the ability to express emotion, and - what I have always found the most interesting - the ability to play. When I think of the ability to play - either as a child or as an adult - I think of having free time. What do you have when you have too much free time? Boredom. As Corey writes below, boredom really is a luxury - perhaps even a metric of a development society. But while boredom may have traditionally negative connotations, it is not necessarily a negative thing. I have probably had more moments of boredom this year than many years past, and reading Corey’s piece has completely rewired how I think about this state of mind. Thank you, Corey! And happy birthday to you!

- Lauren

Read More

I read today that some students at my alma mater have developed a way to create clusters of incoming freshmen with similar interests and then randomize pairs for Zoom calls in an attempt to engineer that serendipity that may occur when standing in line for food at the dining hall. Corey’s piece reminded me of just how much I miss these little encounters, both singular and recurring - perhaps they don’t amount to a relationship where you should, say, invite that person to a birthday party, but they become little backbeats of our lives that I think make us feel appreciated nonetheless. I love how he has gotten creative in also engineering- even strengthening - these encounters. And made me think that perhaps now is even a time to make those “weak connections” a little stronger. Thank you, Corey!

- Lauren

Read More

Corey's piece encapsulates many thoughts and perhaps concerns that have been circulating my brain since March in terms of education. It also renders many memories for me from elementary school... all of which are emotional (the humorous games of tag at recess, the feeling of presenting a hands-on science project I was so proud of, the time my best friends and I made desk mailboxes for passing sweet notes, the time I got in trouble with my first grade teacher for not wanting to share the Legos...)

With the upcoming changes in the structure of schools now and in the years to come due to the pandemic, I'm now thinking this: if it's the case that students remember emotional memories most strongly and fondly (times of joy, sadness, disappointment, excitement, pride, etc.), I wonder if, moving forward, schools could place an even greater emphasis on socio-emotional learning and directly teach kids how to navigate those feelings in order to expand their world/heart and grow individually. I truly believe that when young children can understand/acknowledge their feelings, they can better understand themselves and their purpose. I hope you enjoy this thoughtful piece below - thank you for sharing your personal experiences, Corey.

- Amanda

Read More

"There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.” - Douglas Adams

Three mornings ago, I reached out to Corey. Something is stirring inside me and I thought he would be a great person to connect with. I study change for a living and, in doing so, I recognize a distinction between conceptualization and internalization. I think I am steadily internalizing more and more that a meteor truly has struck Earth. There won’t be a cozy new equilibrium anywhere ahead and that this is what “the other side” will look like.

Read More