Marcus Aurelius and Quotes from His Meditations

Marcus Aurelius was once emperor of Rome, a philosopher, and a military leader. He practiced Stoicism, a branch of Hellenistic philosophy.  He is a great inspiration.   A Time to Sit and Think Years ago, I was on a trip with my fiancé that took me through London, Oxford, and Whitby (photographs available here). We made … Continue reading Marcus Aurelius and Quotes from His Meditations

How to manage your time when everything seems important…

We all know what it is like to be overwhelmed. Our parents, siblings, or friends may have events for us to attend. Our bosses, colleagues, customers, or clients demand a certain level of performance. At work, home, and in our relationships, we commit ourselves to activities and tasks that seem important. Sometimes, significant people in … Continue reading How to manage your time when everything seems important…

A Lightning Storm in My Brain – Navy SEALS, Dark Magic, Middle School, and a Secret Worth Sharing

On my way to work, the sun is rising, I look across a snowy field, and a flock of birds scatters into the air like flakes of debris from a campfire.  I hear a navy SEAL sternly recount the horrors of war. He talks about discipline in everyday life, and I absorb his words through my headphones.

A Beginner’s Guide to Geeking Out About Medieval Armor

Swords, Shields, Armor   My interest in swords, shields, and armor started when my father took me to the Art Institute of Chicago. Their exhibition on medieval metalwork featured artifacts that would make any knight-obsessed kid happy. As a child, I gleaned much of what I knew about medieval weaponry and armor from movies, television, … Continue reading A Beginner’s Guide to Geeking Out About Medieval Armor

My First 20 Followers: A Note of Gratitude to Readers, Old and New

It may seem like small potatoes to some people, but Paper Palaces has just surpassed twenty followers. I am very grateful for this milestone. Those of you who currently read and follow Paper Palaces, thank you for your interest and support! Approaching 2018: As we near 2018, I have many plans for this blog, and … Continue reading My First 20 Followers: A Note of Gratitude to Readers, Old and New