Can we admit that we all say things we wish we could, in the vernacular of the day, walk back. When I’m the offender, though she’s been gone for many years, I cannot escape the influence of my mother. She believed words have power . . . that what comes out of our mouths is … Continue Reading
My friend, Petri Darby said it this way: When I don’t know how I feel, or what to think, I turn to how I want to feel, and what I want to think.” Great counsel, friend. Here goes. I want to think that violence, hate and fear do not define who we are — who … Continue Reading
We have a propensity for doing whatever it takes when the chips are down. A cause or challenge seemingly bigger than our ability to manage is often the mission to which we are drawn in droves. This plays out in the way we respond in the face of disaster — like the loss inflicted by … Continue Reading
“Move more. Assume less.” This was the response of a CEO friend when asked about his success in turning around a consulting firm on the brink of extinction twenty-two months earlier. Don was retiring, and he was reflective. “In the early days we were determined to meet the market at its point of need. That … Continue Reading
I shared a first version of this post in December of 2012 in the wake of the unthinkable in Newtown, Connecticut. And here we are again…unable to imagine the news we woke to…searching for a way to digest the senseless…groping for words that mean something…wondering what we might do to make a difference. I don’t know about you; but … Continue Reading
Volume can be misleading. Increasing the decibel level is no guarantee a message will be heard. Exercising the loudest voice in the room doesn’t equate to connecting with anyone. Bigger and louder — shake-the-ground-you-stand-on-boom notwithstanding — doesn’t ensure anything will resonate. And siren call aside, the same is true for even the most seductive distribution … Continue Reading
Way more often than not, the individuals I most want to hear from — those whose thoughts and opinions influence me the most — are doing less talking than everyone around them. Those from whom I have learned the most almost always teach more by way of what they do than what they say. The … Continue Reading
Thankfulness is a decision. It is borne of perspective that transcends personal experience, and resists seeing life through a built-in-ever-present corrective lens. Thankfulness has no agenda. It is poured out in response to an awareness of what constitutes true richness. It is not a day. Or a season. It cannot be measured, and it does not … Continue Reading
We can talk about it until we’re blue in the face. We may write about it, speak on it, and build entire initiatives around it. If we have enough juice, in some circles we might even be able to insist we be called one. But when it comes to what it really means to be … Continue Reading
If I were to heed mom’s advice — if you can’t say something nice, say nothing at all — I would do a lot less talking. For some of us (I won’t speak for you), it is easy to go negative. Quickly. From the half-empty glass to service that is far too slow; from the … Continue Reading
The comfort zone is a dangerous place to hang out. One can rock along day-to-day with little to no disruption. Sure, once-in-a-while there might be a hiccup or two; but for the most part life is pretty good. The figurative trains run on time, Performance seems as good or better than last year. The climate / … Continue Reading
I remember when we used to be able to disagree. Friends could vigorously debate, and go home friends. We could go to school, work alongside, and build neighborhoods with folks with whom we held differing views, values and convictions. We could even talk about it. Those were the days. But that kind of dialogue may be dead. These … Continue Reading
Face it. Most of us have hands-on experience with the truism, those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. Or how about this one — repeating the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity. Yet, with desperate conviction we strive to instigate or choose to engage … Continue Reading
Each of us has a value system. It frames days, shapes attitudes and is the fabric of the moments that define us. Either intellectual and emotional honesty are unwavering guideposts; or we find convenience in shades of gray and situational ethics. Either we believe word is equivalent to bond; or we live and work in … Continue Reading
It is easy to be a critic. About anything. To point out what is not right. To spot weakness. To identify shortcomings. To react. Sure…there is value in having a few keen observers close at hand to set things straight. But is full-time-critic really the way we want to drive conversation? Is it worthy of … Continue Reading
An Atheist, A Christian and a Buddhist Walk Into A Bar. . . The title of the blog post by Andy Braner appeared in my Facebook news feed, and made me dive deeper for the punchline. But, as you’ll see if you’re inclined to do the same, it wasn’t a joke at all. It was … Continue Reading
For many, this season precipitates slowing down…at least sporadically. A good thing, since the blur brought on by frenetic pursuit tends to distort perspective. Slow down enough, and the things that matter most are pretty easy to focus on — family…true friendship…peace (and quiet)…joy. If we slow enough we might even see the new year … Continue Reading
Words matter. If the goal is to connect and build bridges, you’ll choose them carefully. They set tone, dictate parameters and conjure experiences that shape interpretation. The right words can comfort, support, strengthen and inspire. They can tap into memories and stir new dreams. Yet, for all their power, they are imperfect and incomplete. Packaging … Continue Reading
We can talk about it until we’re blue in the face. We may write about it, speak on it, and build entire initiatives around it. If we have enough juice, in some circles we might even be able to insist we be called one. But when it comes to what it really means to be … Continue Reading
We measure everything. The length and weight of a newborn. The speed of an eleven year old’s fast ball. IQ and EQ. And complex algorithms measure everything from personality type to areas where one is likely to succeed. Or fail. In a recent post — Speedometer Confusion — Seth Godin speaks of the challenge of … Continue Reading
Seth Godin’s post on December 23 hit a nerve. In an abundance of caution highlights a question: what might be the result if we were to act out of an abundance of joy? The difficulty? Seeing the downside is easy. Few things go exactly as we expect. Fewer still, the way we’d like them to go. … Continue Reading
From where I sit, most days it is easy to maintain a thankful perspective. Shelter and nourishment are taken for granted. Relative to any benchmark, I enjoy good health. And thanks to family and friends, I am surrounded by relationships that add a richness to each day that cannot be measured. But there are moments … Continue Reading
He never talked about war. He talked about the people — the “young men” as he called them, though he was barely 21 years old himself. As a kid, he skippered a Naval LST in the Pacific at the height of that war to end all wars. That’s where and how he grew up. Navigating … Continue Reading
