Gary Calhoun

Most of us are running a race we didn't sign up for, fueled by "perceived needs" and a nagging sense that happiness is always one promotion or purchase away. We call it "The When Syndrome"—the trap of believing life starts only when certain conditions are met. But what happens when you stop chasing the external noise and start listening to your own voice?

True productivity isn't about how much you produce for the world; it’s about how much peace you cultivate for yourself. This exploration dives into the "magic" of being comfortable—not as a state of complacency, but as a deliberate, courageous act of self-honesty.

Whether you feel stuck in a soul-dulling routine or are simply tired of working to support a lifestyle you don’t have time to enjoy, the path to clarity begins with a quiet mind. It’s time to stop being a passenger on your own life’s train and start redefining what a "successful" day actually looks like.

When life takes an unexpected turn what does it look like to remain unshaken? The casual observer gazing over the hospital waiting room late at night sees a lone man. In reality the observer is witnessing a masterclass in mindfulness.

I Would Have Been a Poet: Finding Clarity in the Final Chapters

From janitor to psychologist, one man reflects on a lifetime of "doing" to discover a singular, heartfelt truth: the ultimate legacy is found in the words of a poet. A moving essay on perspective and the clarity of age.

"Stop me if this sounds familiar: A 'villain' who wants to destroy our way of life, a 'hero' who is the only one who can save us, and a scripted rivalry designed to keep you angry.
 

No, I’m not talking about WrestleMania. I’m talking about the 6 o'clock news.
 

Challenge the traditional "hustle Culture" of typical New Year's Eve resolutions. The most effective and meaningful resolutions begin with self-reflection and acceptance of your true self.

Over 4000 reads online - A commentary on the emerging "Digital Oxy" epidemic in America

Enjoy the story of this unexpected encounter on a regional train traveling to Siena Italy from Florence.

A short story originally published in the Adelaide Independent Monthly Literary Magazine, No. 56, December 2022 pages 155-159. This is a longer read than my typical post. Here is the story of a young boy tending his father on a sidewalk in the tenements of Jacksonville FL.