Chinese Food, Serenity and Five Years of Sobriety

Of course the thing about beginning again — about starting over midway through is that you have to be willing to watch yourself die.

I learned that from writing this newsletter.

Next week, it will be three years since I launched the cereal aisle, and I think the most important thing I have learned in the time since is that rebirth is on the other sid... See more

On my one-year sober anniversary, I decided I had finally gotten the hang of this thing called “a present life.” I started a new job and threw myself into challenging projects. I felt productive, focused and in control. And then, something utterly unexpected and exciting happened: I met someone.

Anything meaningful takes five years to do, whether that’s getting a company off the ground or mastering a skill.If we start working at 20, that’s 60 productive years — or 12 five-year blocks to do new things, then move on.Instead of living one life or career, why not live a dozen instead?This ebb and flow of interest and desire feels natural to me... See more

I thought getting sober would feel like a punishment. Instead, I feel like I’ve been given an opportunity to live a meaningful, intentional life—like my world cracked wide open.