I write essays about human nature and my reflections on how we treat one another.
We all want to be better to each other.
So why is it so hard?
We feel the pull to be patient, to understand, to do the right thing…and yet we fall short.
This gap between intention and action is part of being human. That is not an excuse. It is a reminder that goodness is not something we simply believe in. It is something we practice and strive for.
I explore this question and other ideas about human nature and the choices we make.
Start Here
Who Put the Welcome Mat There?
Behind my restaurant, a homeless couple found a broken broom, swept the area around the dumpster, and placed a welcome mat in front of an old door. Their names were Ray and Irene.
“What Is the Difference Between Altruism and Codependency?”
What is the difference between altruism and codependency? This essay explores how two forms of care can look almost identical from the outside, while one helps restore another person’s freedom and the other may quietly depend on their continued need.
Latest Writings
What We Mean by “I Love You”
We say “I love you” easily. But what do those words mean when love begins asking something from us—time, patience, sacrifice, or care?
Surrounded, Still Alone
This essay explores why we feel lonely even when we are around a bunch of people.
I Saw Her Differently
How differently a person can look once we see what may be happening behind their behavior.
All Essays
Or Browse by Subject
- Being Seen
- Compassion and Human Nature
- Family, Love, and Connection
- Identity and Freedom
- Meaning, Purpose, and Hard Questions
- Stories That Teach
- Work, Responsibility, and Honor
The essays above explore many of the same questions that inspire my books: how we treat one another, why we struggle, and what it means to live with compassion.
About Albert
I write about compassion, human nature, and the quiet moments that shape how we treat one another.
Through personal stories, fables, science fiction, and everyday experience, I explore the space between what we believe, what we feel, and how we live.
I live in California with my wife, Darla, and I am happiest when I am creating—through writing, painting, or music