Erin Wicomb

This principle applies to every area of life, though it’s often overlooked. Let’s start by considering the flip side: what happens when we fail to appreciate something? It withers, shrinks, and often disappears. This truth is beautifully illustrated by the classic tale of the goose that laid golden eggs. The farmer in the story became consumed by greed and impatience, failing to appreciate both the goose and the golden eggs it produced. His lack of gratitude led him to kill the goose in pursuit of more, only to lose everything in the process. This cautionary tale reminds us that appreciation is the cornerstone of sustaining and growing value in our lives . Health: The Goose We Take for Granted When we don’t appreciate our health, it deteriorates. If we abuse our bodies with poor nutrition, drugs, alcohol, or toxic consumption—whether that’s excessive screen time, violent content, or pornography—our health suffers. Sometimes the decline is slow and insidious, but in extreme cases, like...

After almost four years of incarceration, I’ve met countless people from all walks of life. Many of them ended up here due to substance abuse or narcotic sales. The individuals guilty of the most heinous crimes—murderers, rapists, and child predators—are kept separate, housed in different classifications or protective custody. Rarely do I come across someone whose presence feels truly out of place. Someone who seems like they don’t belong here. Dennis, you were that man. At 67 years old, this polite, soft-spoken white man stood out immediately in our harsh environment—an oasis of calm amidst a storm of cursing, tension, and bravado. In my years here, I have never met anyone who said “please” and “thank you” with the sincerity and consistency Dennis did. Even in the smallest interactions, he carried himself with grace and humility. Dennis had an extraordinary life. Born one of three triplets, he became a successful entrepreneur in the 1980s. Among his many accomplishments, he invented v...

There’s a widespread misconception that joy and suffering are mutually exclusive—that we experience happiness in one moment and pain in another, and that the two cannot coexist. I’m here to challenge that belief. In fact, joy and suffering are deeply intertwined, and understanding this truth can transform how we approach life. Life is Suffering—But That’s Not All It Is The reality is, life is full of suffering. This isn’t a pessimistic view; it’s a universal truth. Growth and pain are inseparable. A seed must struggle to break through the soil to sprout its first buds. A caterpillar endures the hardship of transforming into a butterfly. A mother endures labor pains to bring new life into the world. Growth always requires some level of discomfort. Even as we age—when the body begins its decline—we still experience profound joy. Yes, the knees ache, the eyesight dims, and the body slows, but there are moments of beauty: laughing with grandchildren, dancing at family celebrations, or enjo...