For those who prefer to think rather than be told, weekly messages crafted to spur thought, broaden perspective, and foster growth.
Be prepared to reexamine your views on subjects like hypocrisy, generosity, fear, forgiveness, sex, faith, and any other area warranting sincere reflection.
Founder, Purpose Tea
There have been so many times Richard's words...have gotten me through the toughest days along this entrepreneurial journey. If you're looking for weekly inspiration, sign up for 52 Steps Forward. You'll thank me later!
Founder, curiate
Richard crafts a rare combination of gentle, purposeful, meaningful, and incisive thought within each of these pages. I'm left not only with different ways of looking at things, but with means to be a better me.
COO, Blount Fine Foods
Richard’s subject matter and writing style are the perfect combination to provoke and inspire new ways of thinking. I encourage you to read 52 Steps Forward so you can become similarly inspired.
I may have written a message that, despite its accuracy, will disappoint or enflame most. Rather than trying to solve the problem or change your mind, I want to encourage listening to more than the noise and, to the extent possible, receptivity to opposing viewpoints. FactsIt starts with a country’s obligation to enforce its immigration and border security laws. The
The Case for ItWe generally have a good idea about what we want to do. We are decent people laboring at a professional endeavor, taking care of our families, indulging in pleasurable pastimes, and are reasonably happy. However, unless we discover and follow our purpose, we may succumb to the disorienting influence, even if well-intentioned, of family, friends, and society.
Why?Our moms were right; we possess and should use our talents. It goes beyond “to whom much is given, much will be required,” the biblically-inspired obligation declared in graduation speeches. We have an emotional need for challenge, growth, and success, Maslow’s esteem and self-actualization needs. Conversely, inaction, especially when coupled with awareness of unfulfilled potential, causes a corrosive malaise. What?We confuse
Last week, I relished my 2025 successes, but 2025 also had non-successes. While there were lessons learned from the “failures,” the most critical lesson came from selecting and focusing on my highest priorities. The LowlightsFor each failure, ask why and if the objective remains worthy of pursuit. My marketing plan did not adequately promote the book. Effective marketing required much
Reflecting on our 2025 activities goes beyond whether we met a goal; it is learning extracted from our experiences. Immeasurable is OKWe are instructed to set goals that we can objectively measure – how many, how far, etc., but some goals do not work that way. How do you measure a relationship’s increase in love? In this case, the answer
The end of the year marks the time for reflection. My thoughts first turn towards gratitude for the resources to write the blog and those who validate its value by reading it. Next comes a series of questions: What happened? Was it consistent with my purpose? What, if anything, do I change? In 2025, the 52 messages generated more than
Susan O’Brien
Founder, Hail Merry