When Brian Bloom said in Victor Levin’s film 5 to 7 (2014), “In New York, you’re never more than 20 feet away from someone you know, or someone you’re meant to know.” The truth of the statement hit me. No matter where you are in the world, if you have…

Even When you Share the Same City, They Still Won’t be the Right one for you Call me a cynic, but I don’t believe in “right person, wrong time.” Maybe there was a time in my youth when I did. Whether it was an unrequited crush, a talking stage/situationship that…

A fictional short story about a woman’s struggle to cope with the unexpected death of her mother — “Hold it up to your ear.” her mother said warmly, as the young girl lifted the tiny seashell. “Can you hear it?” “Hear what?” The young girl replied. “The ocean.” She listened carefully, but couldn’t hear a thing. So she jammed the seashell further into her ear until finally, she…

Reflections on a Lost Practice in an Ever-Changing World I walked to the market and picked up a fresh loaf of bread. I know I can make my own bread at home, as I’ve done countless times before. I could always drive to the store and buy bread. It’s not…

Happy New Year! Looking forward to contributing to The Age of Empathy this year! I've enjoyed reading many of the stories featured in your publication so far!

A Short Memoir Immortalizing his Crimes Against a Beloved, Innocent Fruit “Are you coming in or do you want to wait in the truck?” My dad asked before running into the store with his s/o at the time. “I’ll wait in the truck,” I replied. …

Exactly! That's completely valid. People will judge regardless of what you do. I don't know what you teach, but I will say this. I would not be where I am today if it weren't for some of my college professors and mentors. They have had such a profound, positive impact on me & my life/career. And I STILL thank them to this day. So if the risk of being judged is the price you pay to be a teacher that could potentially reach and impact a student in such a way, I think it's worth it, right?

I think it's a very relatable experience/fear! Not to confirm your worst fear, but I 100% told stories from class to my parents back in the day. For me personally, I tend to tell my most horrific lived stories very nonchalantly and casually in VERY public settings. Much to the dismay of the people who happen to be in earshot of my storytelling. You have to think of it as a form of celebrity. Whether we're conscious of it or not, we've probably ALL been the subject of someone's dinnertime conversation or a "tea-time" text chain between best friends. It's inevitable. But if they are talking about you, at least they remember you!

Thank you! Ah, now that is a story for sure! I will say that the man on the train's horrified reaction was entirely justified.