Babe Ruth hit 714 home runs in his 22-year career. He also struck out 1,330 times. When he swung the bat, not even he knew exactly what would happen. Sometimes I create art that feels like a grand slam home run. I am convinced that everyone everywhere will love it. Awards will be won, museums will come calling, and grown men will weep. Instead, the ball glances off the end of my bat and dribbles weakly down the first base line. The world responds to my brilliant work of art with a deafening, "Meh." Then there are other times when something I created as an afterthought, with scant …
Follow the Arrows
In January of 2020, I was thisclose to giving up on my twenty-year dream of living in a lake home. Then the pandemic hit, making the decision all but irrelevant, considering the fact I calculated that if we didn't figure out an alternative revenue stream to speaking, we'd be bankrupt by November. Instead, that became the month we signed a contract to buy our dream house on Lake Michigan. How did we do that? Well, my faith gives all the credit to God, who opened doors and led us every step of the way. All we did was follow arrows. The concept of following arrows comes from a book I …
What Heroes Really Look Like
If the movies taught me anything, it's that superheroes wear spandex.We've been led to believe that superheroes are special. They come from another planet. They are blessed with superhuman abilities. They are super smart, or rich, or got involved in some sort of dangerous science experiment that turned out ok. They typically wear cool outfits while traveling in cool vehicles and wielding cool accessories. Also, their muscles have muscles.This painting is an homage to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, who, when they first emerged from the sewer in 1984, clearly challenge the notion of what …
Testing Coupon Codes
This is only a test …
Rain Delay Reminders
In 2016, the Chicago Cubs spent a wheelbarrow of money – 184 million dollars, to be exact – on a free agent outfielder named Jason Heyward. By almost every measure, with the exception of his stellar defense, he failed to live up to expectations. He struggled though a rough year, but amidst all the boos, I watched him persist admirably with the things he could control: namely his work ethic, attitude, and leadership.He ultimately came through when it most counted, and it wasn't with a timely hit, stolen base, or spectacular catch. In the seventh game of the World Series, during a rain delay …
Saturday Morning Sprinkles: Peanutize Yourself Edition
• In case you haven't already seen it, you can turn yourself into a Peanuts character. Can't wait for this movie! • These vertical panoramic photographs of New York churches by Richard Silver are a striking example of how powerful a change of perspective can be. • Sometimes the rules that we follow seem completely normal to us, but will someday be seen as completely ridiculous to our kids. • Enjoyed these artistic interpretations of how various Disney characters would show their #DisneySide. (Hat tip to Jenna) Finally, some posts from around here you may have missed: • That …
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Ode to Spontaneity
It was 5:00 on a Thursday night. I had to leave for Zumba at 6:40. Two chicken breasts were on the counter 95% thawed. Like most normal nights in our household, Jason was in charge of dinner. On this particular evening, he was two doors down at our neighbors helping them with some computer challenges. (Jason is my fav tech guru!) The phone rang. It was the very neighbor Jason was assisting. In an "Ode to Spontaneity," he invited the three of us to join him and his wife for some pizza. Why not? I've been wanting to be more spontaneous, and this sure qualified. …
Give Your Stalkers Something to Think About
After 10 years of being online, a fear of mine has been realized. I have a stalker. She's unpredictable. She's crazy. And she's managed to obsess over me and Jason for the last two years, mimicking our day-to-day habits and traits. It's starting to pick up in intensity. I feel like I am under constant surveillance. Some days, it feels suffocating. …
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Normal is Not Coming Back
Being an entrepreneur has a lot of pros and cons. Traditionally, there’s the financial risk, long hours, and relative lack of security. (Although the way things are these days, the last two apply to most non-entrepreneurial jobs as well.) But one of my favorite benefits of all is the freedom. …
The Rocket Man Principle
When I first took the job as a kindergarten teacher, little did I know that I would soon become exposed to a remarkable amount of loose teeth. We enjoyed perpetual Halloween, what with the number of kids looking like jack-o-lanterns all year long. It was not uncommon to be reading a story to the class and hear that familiar squeaky noise, the one that can only be heard when a child is wiggling her baby tooth with her tongue. (Did the thought of that make you cringe?) That subtle yet distinct noise means one thing and one thing only: time to pull it, honey. …