Relationships & Growth Archives

Relationships & Growth

Why It’s Never Too Late to Start a New Hobby in Middle Age

Many people assume middle age is a season for maintaining life—not discovering new passions. Careers become demanding, children grow up, responsibilities multiply, and trying something completely new begins to feel unrealistic. I believed the same thing until I unexpectedly started taking piano lessons alongside my daughter. What began as a family activity quickly became one of the most rewarding personal growth experiences I've had in years. Learning piano taught me far more than music. It reminded me that becoming a beginner again builds confidence, strengthens relationships, challenges the mind, and brings fresh excitement to everyday life. While much of this article shares my family's journey learning piano, the bigger lesson isn't about music. It's about giving yourself permission to try something new. Whether your next hobby is learning an instrument, gardening, photography, woodworking, hiking, writing, or something entirely different, I hope my experience encourages you to discover that it's never too late to start.

November 15, 2024

How to Build Friendships That Last: 7 Keys to Lifelong Friendships

Lasting friendships are surprisingly rare. While most people have dozens of acquaintances throughout life, very few enjoy friendships that continue growing for decades. The good news is that lifelong friendships aren't accidental—they're built intentionally. One of my closest friendships has lasted for more than 30 years. As I reflected on why that relationship endured while so many others gradually faded, I identified seven principles that consistently strengthen friendships over time.

May 26, 2023

Should You Trust AI for Life Advice? What Artificial Intelligence Gets Right—and Wrong

Artificial intelligence has become one of the fastest-adopted technologies in history. Millions of people now use tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, Gemini, and Copilot every day for writing, research, career advice, relationship questions, and even deeply personal life decisions. That raises an important question: Should you trust AI for life advice? Artificial intelligence can summarize enormous amounts of information, identify patterns, and explain complex ideas remarkably well. But information alone is not wisdom. AI has no lived experience, no conscience, no soul, and no relationship with God. AI can become an incredibly helpful tool—but a dangerous substitute for discernment if we rely on it more than we should. In this article, we'll explore where AI excels, where it falls short, and why no technology can replace wisdom, human relationships, or spiritual truth.

November 16, 2022

Why Most People Struggle to Be Authentic

Most people don't intentionally hide who they are. Instead, they slowly learn which parts of themselves feel safe to share and which parts feel risky. We introduce ourselves by our job title, degree, hometown, or company because those identities are easy for other people to understand. But our interests, dreams, failures, and passions often remain hidden. I've found that authenticity isn't about sharing everything with everyone—it's about having the courage to let people see who you really are when it matters.

November 9, 2022

Common Marriage Roadblocks (And How to Keep Them From Becoming Bigger Problems)

Every marriage encounters obstacles. Most don't appear overnight as major crises. Instead, they begin as small habits, misunderstandings, or unhealthy patterns that quietly grow over time. I've found it's much easier to address a roadblock early than recover from a major setback later. The encouraging news is that many common marriage problems are surprisingly preventable when both spouses learn to recognize them before they become deeply rooted.

September 3, 2022

Most People Don’t Think About Their Legacy Until It’s Too Late

Most people think about legacy near the end of life. I think that's a mistake. Legacy isn't something created during our final years. It's being built every day through our actions, relationships, habits, and decisions. Long before people remember us after we're gone, they experience the impact we're having while we're still here. The way we treat our spouse. The way we raise our children. The way we encourage friends. The way we show up at work. The way we respond when life becomes difficult. Whether we realize it or not, we're all building a legacy. The real question is whether we're building one intentionally.

August 31, 2022

Why We Reject Ourselves Before Anyone Else Does

Many opportunities disappear long before someone tells us "no." We assume the answer will be no. We assume people won't help. We assume exceptions won't be made. We assume asking would be awkward, selfish, or uncomfortable. As a result, we quietly reject ourselves before anyone else gets the chance. One conversation during a trip to Catalina Island reminded me how often we lose opportunities not because we asked and failed, but because we never asked at all.

November 18, 2021

Best Gifts for Men Who Are Hard to Shop For (Including a Unique Beef Jerky Bouquet)

Shopping for men can be surprisingly difficult. Many already buy the gadgets, tools, clothing, or hobby gear they want throughout the year, leaving friends and family searching for unique gift ideas that feel memorable rather than predictable. Whether you're shopping for a husband, dad, boyfriend, son, brother, or friend, food-based gifts remain popular because they combine novelty with something people can actually enjoy. One of the more unusual gift ideas I've encountered is the Beef Jerky Bouquet from Manly Man Co. Instead of flowers, this gift arranges beef jerky into a bouquet-style presentation designed specifically for meat lovers. After trying it myself, here's what stood out.