Escape Adulthood

Art

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Just About the Best Compliment Anyone Can Get

One day an early childhood professional was tying a four-year-old boy’s shoes. He looked up at her and asked, “Miss Mary, are you an adult?” Mary, who was in her mid-fifties, sported silver streaks in her hair and boasted wrinkles around her eyes -- the kind that come from smiling too much. She could tell from the boy’s inquisitive eyes that his question was not intended to tease. He was truly puzzled by this dichotomy that was tying his shoes. “Well,” Mary thoughtfully began, “I have an adult body, but I still try to think and act and have fun just like a kid.” “Oh,” grinned the …

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Lucy Lives in an Art Gallery

This summer is one of big transitions in our household. With the new baby coming in December and a slight reprieve from a busy speaking schedule, we've been working like mad to get a lot of projects checked off the holy to-do list. One of the big steps was transitioning Lucy to a "big girl bed" in her new "big girl room." (Next up, potty training -- heaven help us!) This required purchasing a "big girl mattress" and some redecorating. It went much more smoothly than I anticipated, and the items we'd collected over the last year or so really tied together well. Among the highlights is the …

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90 Candles: A Guide to Making Birthdays More Memorable

Birthdays can be a mixed bag. I know people who look forward to them and find creative ways to notify everyone that their big day is coming up. Then, there are those who clam up and do their best to make sure no one knows they are turning a year older. "It's just another day," they say in their best Eeyore tone. People seem to either LOVE 'em or dread 'em. But dreading your birthday is the epitome of Adultitis, isn't it?! …

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For God So Loved His Children

In her first two-plus years of life, my daughter Lucy has only been sick a few times. For that, Kim and I count our blessings, as there is nothing more miserable and sad and pathetic than a sick little kid. In those times when she is suffering, I’d happily take on her sickness and carry it myself if given the chance. Even if it meant that whatever affliction would be ten times worse and last ten times longer. I’d do it. In a heartbeat. I know parents who have lost children to cancer and diabetes, and I know they'd agree with me. They would've given anything for the chance to trade …

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Chinese Fire Drill Marks the Happiest Day in Marine’s Life

A few weeks ago, while packing up after a speaking program for a high school’s support staff, I had the privilege of chatting with one of the custodians. His name was Frank. Frank shared with me a story from his childhood, starring his father, a career Marine. The family operated pretty much as you might expect under the head of a someone who’d spent his whole life in the service and saw action in two wars. The kids had buzz cuts. The household was in perfect order. And when Dad spoke, you listened. …

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Learning How to Scuba. Metaphorically Speaking.

Over the years, I’ve had to rely on my faith quite a bit. I blame starting a business for that. There were late nights when I wondered if I was a crazy fool, wasting time and money on a venture that would never pan out. I questioned the sanity of my friends and family, the ones who supported me even when my ship seemed to be sinking like a rock. …

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Beyond the Limits of Carefulness

If you had a chance to sit down at a Starbucks with your 99-year-old self, how would the conversation go? If you had a chance to unload all of your dreams and worries, successes and struggles, what advice would your 99-year-old self have to offer? It’s a fascinating activity I encourage you to try. You might be surprised at how wise you are (the 99-year-old version of you, at least). Sometimes I have audience members spend time thinking about this during my speaking programs. After a few minutes of silence, I ask for insights anyone would like to share. The other day, an accountant in …

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