life is short | 17000 Days

What’s holding you back?

Many people have told me they wish they could quit their jobs like I have. Most think it takes magic or special advantages to do that–not true! Here’s the real story on how I followed my dreams, and you can, too.

How to make the most of the rapture (and I don’t mean petsitting schemes)

On May 21, 2011 By Cara Stein Posted in Managing your LifeTagged , change the world change your life end of the world 2011 how to be happier kooks life is short live living religious nuttery the rapture4 Comments

Graffiti of a snowman holding a sign that says "THE END IS NEIGH"

People are always predicting the end of the world. But I think in the midst of the hype, lunacy, and Schadenfreude, there’s a glimmer of an important message, and it’s not about sin or judgement.

Why Denzel Washington told Penn grads to fail (and why we should, too)

On May 18, 2011 By Cara Stein Posted in Following your DreamsTagged , adventure anxiety challenge change change your life commencement Denzel Washington dream dreams fail failure fear follow your dreams freedom growth happy life leap life is short living personal growth quit your job relief satisfaction self try University of Pennsylvania16 Comments

“I had to come exactly because I might make a fool of myself,” said Washington. “I’ve found that nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks. Nothing.”

Tornadoes in Alabama: another reminder that life is short

On May 3, 2011May 3, 2011 By Cara Stein Posted in Managing your LifeTagged , Alabama calm coping disaster electricity gratitude happy life Huntsville life life is short meaning peace power outage regrets rest satisfaction storms the storm tornado tornadoes wakeup call11 Comments

In the aftermath of last week’s terrible storms, my heart goes out to the folks who lost everything.

Are you overdue to pull a Ferris?

On February 9, 2011February 19, 2011 By Cara Stein Posted in Getting Unstuck, Managing your LifeTagged , birthday change your life contemplation ferris bueller letting go life life is short living meaning mental health mortality playing hooky seize the day self walkabout12 Comments

If you could do anything in the world today, what do you want most of all to do?

Five simple steps to making your dreams come true

On October 26, 2010February 19, 2011 By Cara Stein Posted in Following your DreamsTagged , do what you want dream big dream come true dreams get the summer off happiness how to be happier how to get what you want joy life life is short living making things happen meaning satisfaction write4 Comments

A few weeks back, I wrote a post about big dreams. Dreams are important—they can give us direction and hope, something to work toward. If you don’t know what you want to do, check out that post for a few suggestions on figuring it out. But dreams can only take […]

The number one shortcut to enjoying life more

On September 29, 2010February 19, 2011 By Cara Stein Posted in Being HappyTagged , gratitude happiness joy life life is short meaning rainbow satisfaction smelling-roses9 Comments

Mystics tell us to live in and savor every moment, but that’s a pretty tall order! For the rest of us, trying to jump directly to that stage seems unrealistic to me, although I like it as a goal. Meanwhile, savoring a few moments per day is a good start.

Do it today!

On September 14, 2010February 19, 2011 By Cara Stein Posted in about, Getting Unstuck, Managing your LifeTagged , happiness life life is short living satisfactionLeave a comment

It’s not practical to live every day as if it was your last, but you can try to really live each day.