Being (wisely) loyal to yourself.
I know this might come as a surprise (kidding!) but I’ve never been in a fist fight. I have come close though. I worked with some tough and powerful and big-hearted kids early in my career – and they’re still tough and powerful and big-hearted. One day about a year into my high school […]
A very specific letter – and listening to mall music.
In the 1980s my dad went through a period of several years where he would write (and by “write” I mean he would dictate to his secretary) a sort of ‘group letter’ weekly. He would send it by mail to any of his children and family living away from home. It would contain his busy […]
Project 8/40 and 5 emails that might change you.
Several years ago I read an article by Michael Thompson about 4 types of emails to send every week. The idea stuck with me – so much so that I adapted it into a personal project. During my last one hundred days of working for my school district I decided to send 100 notes, texts […]
Diet Coke and emotional caffeine.
I love Diet Coke. There, I said it. I know it’s not a particularly healthy thing to ‘love’ in this “we-know-better-so-we-should-do-better” day and age. I get it. And, in my defense, I drink A LOT of water, as well. I promise. I know a lot of you can relate. Caffeine, in some form or another, […]
15 fights … and fogging.
In my “I’m-getting-kinda-old” lifetime of study, experience, and very (un)scientific research, I’ve found 15 things that can be stumbling blocks in marriage/dating/partner relationships. In no particular order, they are: These unsurprisingly common issues also produce unsurprisingly common arguments, discussions, and fights. And someone in these unsurprisingly common arguments, discussions, or fights often resorts to the […]
Broken yolks and de-escalative laughter.
This morning I asked Darren to flip my fried eggs for me because 1) I wanted my yolks to remain intact, 2) I was too scared I would break them, and 3) he is notoriously much, much better than me at anything having to do with the stove. (The oven I have mastered – but […]
Memento mori and getting more out of your moments.
Part of my particular brand of OCD tendencies veer toward counting. I am a counter. I count stairs every time I go up or down them – seriously. I don’t even mean to. I count camera angles in tv shows. I count turns if I’m playing a game. I count empty seats on a plane. […]
Satisficers and my friend, Mary.
Seven years into my career at that middle school I’ve told you about, I decided to apply to work in a district closer to my (newly purchased) condo. As an educator in my state back then, you typically had a small window of time to switch districts in order to still be able to take […]
The Little Red Hen and what’s stopping us.
One of the folktales I remember my mom telling me when I was little was called “The Little Red Hen.” If you’re of a certain age, you probably recall the story. But in case you don’t, here’s the Little Golden Book edition: Once there was a Little Red Hen who lived in a barnyard […]
Credibility counts.
I grew up with a Dad who placed a high value on his credibility. He was a renowned physician, researcher, speaker, and administrator – and a son, brother, husband, dad, uncle, grandpa, friend, and disciple of Jesus. Was he able to be all of those things because other people – and God – trusted […]
