As you probably know, I’m an avid meditator. It’s an important part of my life, both personally and professionally. Thanks to the burgeoning market of meditation apps, friends and family regularly ask me about which ones to download, and Meditation Studio—co-founded by former media executive Patricia Karpas—always tops my list of recommendations.

We all want to live happier, healthier, and more productive lives. However, we all too often find excuses that prevent us from making a change. It's easy to blame everyday issues like a lack of time and money as a permanent roadblock.

Every new challenge, relationship, work situation…etc. etc. will continue to introduce new plot twists, good and bad, from time to time and/or often. Someone will surprise you, annoy you, provoke you, bully you or you’ll just plain be in a snarky mood from whatever.

Oliver was a three-month-old puppy when I brought him home. This little bundle of cuteness was so irresistible that there was no alternative but to say yes when asked if I wanted him. Yes to my first dog as a grown-up. Yes to this cream-colored Havanese with the relentlessly soulful eyes. Just yes. For just this once, there was not a moment of hesitation.

I recently sat down with Lodro Rinzler, author of the book Love Hurts, for an interview on Untangle, the podcast from Meditation Studio.