The Journal

Perspectives on life, work, and our place in the world around us.

A desk at The Bungaloom with an open notebook, photographs on the wall, books, brass desk lamp, and upholstered chair.
Outline drawing of a bouquet of flowers with leaves.

I've lived enough turns to know that the thing you can see right now isn't the whole story.

What Are You Striving For?
The Porch Shai Littlejohn The Porch Shai Littlejohn

What Are You Striving For?

You know what fascinates me? The idea that a life isn't a fixed thing we're handed or a ladder we're supposed to climb even though sometimes it feels like it is. Life is open. Perspective determines how much of that openness we can see.

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You’ve Come A Long Way
The Porch Shai Littlejohn The Porch Shai Littlejohn

You’ve Come A Long Way

Even if you’re not where you hoped to be, and the people around you may not even acknowledge who you can be, the person you are now in this moment is absolutely worthy of recognition, attention and even celebration.

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I’ve Always Wanted A House With A Porch
The Porch Shai Littlejohn The Porch Shai Littlejohn

I’ve Always Wanted A House With A Porch

“I feel sorry for houses without porches. If houses with porches are the huggers of architecture, the non-porched are those houses that offer a stiff handshake at first meeting.”

— Erin Napier, designer and television host of HGTV Hometown

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Not Everything Has to Work Out
The Study Shai Littlejohn The Study Shai Littlejohn

Not Everything Has to Work Out

You may find yourself sprinting to the door. Or wishing for more time. But people suffer more than necessary when they expect everything to work out. They expect the extra effort to be rewarded. The loyalty to be reciprocated. The sacrifice to make sense. And when it doesn't, they wonder if it was all for nothing.

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Why Achievement Isn’t Enough
The Study Shai Littlejohn The Study Shai Littlejohn

Why Achievement Isn’t Enough

Promotions, titles, salaries, milestones, they often shine brightest while we're pursuing them. Once we've arrived, it's only a matter of time before we're looking toward the next horizon. So what sustains us when the applause is over? When life still feels incomplete?

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Action Creates Clarity
The Study Shai Littlejohn The Study Shai Littlejohn

Action Creates Clarity

Contemplation can feel heavy, ranging from inspiring to depleting, but it's actually light on action. It's easy to get stuck there, where no actual progress lives.

Continuous contemplation is waiting for the perfect moment when there is no perfect moment. Instead, we must weigh our options, decide upon a risk we're willing to take, a sacrifice we’re willing to make, and begin with what we have, where we are.

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Outline drawing of a bouquet of flowers with leaves.

We’re still worthy of beauty, grace, and joy even when life hasn't gone according to plan.