Essays

Why does Jim O'Shaughnessy Think in Twos?

Every day, Jim O'Shaughnessy posts two thoughts from a thinker.

Oct 31, 2023 •

Unlocking Agency: Journey From Paycheck to Purpose

It's been three years since I quit my job. I have never come close to regretting that decision, but I also can’t explain why it was a good decision. Was…

Jul 21, 2023 •

Transformational Essays

I just completed another cohort of Write of Passage as an Editor. I love giving feedback to students, helping them get their ideas out.

May 28, 2023 •

The Purpose of Life is Through Intrinsic Motivation

When I left my finance career after eighteen years, the underlying reason was that it was performance art. Success was connected to how people viewed…

May 22, 2023 •

Where are You in Your Hero's Journey?

An orphan lives a relatively boring life with his uncle and aunt. He dreams of leaving but won’t, for various reasons.

May 8, 2023 •

The Dance of the Bees: Finding Your Path as a Creator

Karl von Frisch won the Nobel prize in 1973 for studying how bees dance. Bees dance… and that’s important? The waggles a bee performs are actually a…

Feb 16, 2023 •

Unsought Permission

It sounds sad that a 40-year old man needs permission from his parents, but we all look for permission in one form or another.

Nov 19, 2022 •

How to Give Great Feedback

Grammar Nazis don’t give good feedback. After giving feedback on more than 300 essays over three Write of Passage cohorts, I realize that the key to…

Apr 15, 2022 •

The Centenarian Compass

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Jan 7, 2022 •

100 Years of Gratitude

On this day, one hundred years ago, my grandfather left China. He was thirteen. He was alone. He landed in California, but couldn’t find work there. The…

Dec 8, 2021 •

The Digital Diaspora

My grandfather left China exactly one hundred years ago. He went through incredible hardship to provide a better opportunity for his descendents. Back…

Dec 4, 2021 •

Someone Else's Solution

Someone Else’s Problem.

Nov 5, 2021 •

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