My friend Chris was one of those rare people who sees something in you that you don’t see in yourself. Their insight seems preposterous at first, like a compliment that spiraled out of control. But they are so insistent and convincing, you actually start believing them. Eventually, you discover they were right, and can’t help but wonder if that seed of potential was there all along or if they somehow willed it into existence. If you’ve ever known someone like that, you know how rare and special they are. They are the kind of people who change lives. Chris Clarke-Epstein was one of …
A Free, Foolproof Antidote to Anxiety
Have you ever had one of those days when you’re angry at everything and nothing in particular? I had one recently. I went for a walk in an attempt to burn off my anxiety. Two laps around a spacious field of wildflowers near my home released some endorphins, but didn’t make a dent in my foul mood.I pulled out my earbuds and fired up a playlist on my phone populated with praise music. My soul began to lift.Then I came upon an older man driving a golf cart along the path, with a woman of a similar age as his passenger. She appeared to have some cognitive challenges as she seemed pretty …
How to Be An All-Star Without Any Talent Whatsoever
When I was twelve years old, I had a fastball you wouldn’t believe.That is, you wouldn’t believe anyone would call it a "fastball" if you saw how slowly it traveled.I had great control, rarely walking anybody, but I had no curveball, no slider, no screwball…just a not-so-fast fastball and a change-up that defied the laws of physics by being even slower. I swear I saw batters salivating while they were on deck.I did make the All-Star team that year, but not for my pitching acumen. My team never won a game while I was on the mound. One time, I got hit in the leg by a line drive that was hit so …
[Read more...] about How to Be An All-Star Without Any Talent Whatsoever
Finding Harmony in a Messy World
An Easter lily reminds me of a trumpet, jubilantly announcing the good news of Easter morning. It can’t be timid, or it would never be heard over the din of our noisy world: Traffic and sirens and ads and 24-hour news cycles that trumpet the latest tragedy or occasion for outrage. What’s easy to forget is that we are part of that noise. It’s important to consider what we are putting out into the world. Are we spreading good news and positive vibes, or are we sharing bad news and negative energy? I am not suggesting we bury our heads in the sand and go all Pollyanna. It’s just that bad news has …
Finding Shelter in the Storms of Life
The first house I ever lived in was across the street from a fire station.Living in a small town meant it was quiet most nights, but you only need to hear those loud sirens wail one time when you’re three years old to experience real terror. And that is why, every single night, my bedtime routine included this statement: “Dad, I’m afraid of the thunder and lightning and the fire trucks.”Clearly, loud noise was my weak spot. (Had we lived next to a college football stadium, I suspect marching bands and touchdown celebrations may have made this list.)And every single night, my father would …
Blessings in Brokenness
"All the King's horses and all the King’s men couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty back together again." iPhone screens. Windows. Windshields. Bones. Baseball bats. Helmets. Even Humpty Dumpty.When something is cracked, we often think of it as ruined, useless, irredeemably broken.But when a bird’s egg cracks while in the confines of its nest, it is a sign of new life, a fresh beginning. Only moments before the first crack, the egg is pure, smooth, unbroken. Then the crack happens, disrupting the calm surface of the egg. But what emerges next is something new and beautiful. Our business had its best …
How to Turn the Tables on Adultitis
This past week was when my family would have spent a day at the Wisconsin State Fair, one of our favorite annual traditions.No cream puffs this year. 😔 Yet another loss in a long line of losses thanks to the jerkhead that is COVID-19.Kim has been busy on the phones talking to clients who are booking our virtual experience for their organizations and teams. One emotion that has been consistent with the people she’s been talking with is grief. Parents have lamented the losses their children have experienced, whether it’s a senior year, a graduation, the first year of kindergarten, or the first …
Whimsy is Underrated
I saw this car in my neighborhood the other day. It’s a real head-turner, with all of its whimsical flourishes and flair. They don’t make cars like this anymore.And that’s a shame.In the 1950s, cars featured all sorts of angles, fins, and bright colors. They were sleek, fun, and bursting with personality. The Jetsons gave us the wrong impression. Not only do we NOT have flying cars yet, we actually seem to have devolved our automotive design, settling for something that resembles a safe deposit box with the sharp edges sanded down and all the personality of white bread.Car designs these days …
Did You Know How Great You Are?
This shark is awesome. You can tell how awesome he is by his gold teeth. Obviously, the male sharks want to be him and all the ladies want to be with him. The fact that he is a success is a foregone conclusion to everyone.The joke is on the shark though, because these teeth are not long for this world. You see, sharks continually shed their teeth, (some shedding approximately 35,000 teeth in a lifetime!) That’s a lot of lost bling. What a shame!The tragedy though, is that gold grill or no, he already was great. He just didn’t believe it.I don’t know about you, but I make this mistake all the …
2020: Your Best Year Ever?
Eating a peach, in season, perfectly ripe, is pure magic. But also messy.Oh, sure, you can eat peaches before they’re ripe and they might drip less, but they’re not nearly as good. The best peaches are always messy.Now I’ll admit it: I prefer tidy. I like the structure of a good plan. I feel good when the dishes are done and the counter is cleared. I’m easily disturbed when piles stay piles for too long.Is that an Adultitis-fueled trait? Perhaps. But I do find that I am more present, relaxed, and creative when clutter and chaos are minimized. In general, I don’t think it’s a terrible trait to …
