Today's Read Contributor Discover how Nathan Hickman encourages people to embrace gratitude, resilience, and a better quality of life through mindful living.
Success is often measured by titles, schedules, and achievements. Yet for Nathan Hickman, those traditional markers lost their meaning after life forced him to confront profound personal challenges. Today, as an Author, Speaker and Happiness Pro, Hickman is leading a different conversation, one that asks a simple but powerful question: What if the true measure of success is the quality of your life?
That question became the foundation of Take Time To-Be, a brand dedicated to helping people slow down, appreciate life’s everyday moments, and discover resilience through gratitude. Rather than encouraging people to chase constant productivity, Hickman invites them to experience something many have forgotten, the value of simply being present.
A Journey Shaped by Loss, Reflection, and Gratitude
Nathan Hickman’s story is one of perseverance. Diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder in 1996, he spent years navigating challenges that many people never see. By the end of 2012, he found himself facing one of the lowest points of his life. Anxiety had become overwhelming, making even ordinary days difficult to manage.
Just over a year later, tragedy struck again when his brother passed away. His brother had overcome tremendous physical obstacles throughout his life, learning to walk four different times. At first, Hickman struggled to understand why someone who had endured so much hardship would face such an ending.
During long periods of isolation and reflection, he began writing in a journal. Those quiet moments gradually transformed his perspective. Instead of focusing on everything that had gone wrong, he began recognizing everything that remained meaningful. Gratitude slowly replaced despair, and living in the present became more than an idea. It became a way of life.
Those reflections ultimately inspired his book, Take Time To-Be: How Learning To Live In The Moment Allowed My Brother To Live An Imperfect Life, Perfectly, which shares the principles that helped reshape his own outlook.
Redefining What It Means To Live Well
Take Time To-Be centers on one mission: Improving quality of life.
According to Hickman, modern culture often celebrates busyness as if being overwhelmed is a symbol of success. His philosophy challenges that belief by encouraging people to appreciate life’s simple moments instead of constantly searching for the next achievement.
He believes that fulfillment comes from recognizing what you have, appreciating what you can do, and accepting that imperfection is part of every meaningful life.
His message resonates because it is rooted in lived experience rather than theory. Instead of presenting himself as someone who has mastered every challenge, Hickman openly shares his struggles. That vulnerability allows readers to connect with his story on a deeply personal level.
A Message That Challenges Comparison
One of Nathan Hickman’s most memorable insights speaks directly to a habit that affects countless people in today’s digital world.
“I implore you to not compare your average day to someone else’s once in a lifetime moment. It’s just not comparing apples to apples. I think it’s more like comparing peas to sweet tarts and that is difficult to compare properly. Sure, you can be envious of Cinderella while she attended her ball, but remember, no matter who you are, we all will have our Cinderella moments. It’s easy to lose track of this as the majority of our days are spent running errands, working, cooking, laundry, and taking care of kids.”
The quote captures the heart of his philosophy. Instead of measuring life against carefully curated highlights, Hickman encourages people to appreciate the ordinary moments that make up most of our lives. Those moments, he believes, are where genuine happiness is built.
Building Resilience Through Authenticity
What distinguishes Take Time To-Be is its authenticity. Hickman does not promise a perfect life or instant transformation. Instead, he demonstrates how resilience grows through gratitude, acceptance, and consistent mindfulness.
His work reminds readers that struggles do not define a person. They can become the foundation for strength, compassion, and renewed purpose. By sharing his own experiences with honesty, he offers hope to anyone navigating difficult seasons while emphasizing that healing is often found one moment at a time.
Today, Hickman combines his passions as an entrepreneur, author, and speaker to inspire audiences seeking a healthier perspective on success and happiness. His message continues to encourage people to step off what he calls the “Next Day” roller coaster and begin enjoying the present instead of constantly waiting for life to improve.
Discover The Take Time To-Be Philosophy
For readers looking to improve their quality of life through gratitude, resilience, and mindful living, Nathan Hickman’s work offers a thoughtful place to begin. His book and resources explore practical ways to appreciate life’s everyday moments while building emotional strength through perspective and presence.
To learn more about Nathan Hickman and the Take Time To-Be movement, visit taketimetobe.com. Readers can also explore his audio content. For business inquiries, contact [email protected] or check their Linktree Account.
