You & Improved

- - - | written by Jason on 7/12/2020 | - - -

The Secret to Great Steaks (and Happiness)

I love a good steak. Especially on the grill. One of my favorite tips for getting great flavor and tenderness is marinating the meat beforehand. (I like a mixture of soy sauce with a splash of Worcestershire.) And one of the best accompaniments to a perfectly-grilled medium rare steak is a big ol’ Idaho potato, loaded with butter, sour cream, and cheddar cheese. Speaking of Idaho, that’s where Kim and I celebrated our twentieth wedding anniversary. We booked a gorgeous, secluded home surrounded by pine trees complete with an infinity deck and spectacular view of Lake Pend …

- - - | written by Jason on 6/28/2020 | - - -

What to Do When Your World Turns Upside Down

When I’m working on a painting, I have to step back from time to time. I have to literally stop the activity of painting and be still before the work. Otherwise, I can’t see the painting through the brushstrokes. You might think that pausing slows down the process. What it really does is help me make better paintings. If I don’t step away every so often, I’m liable to get stuck overdoing part of the painting and end up ruining the whole thing. Giving myself some distance helps me notice certain aspects that I can’t see when I’m up close. I can examine the overall composition, …

- - - | written by Jason on 6/21/2020 | - - -

Different Is Cool, Except When It’s Not

Is it possible to be correct when all the experts think you’re nuts?Iggy was a doctor who lived in the 1800s and was greatly concerned about the high rate of women dying after childbirth. He knew there had to be a reason for the problem, so he experimented with different solutions. Finally, he figured out a simple practice that was easy to do, and when it was followed saved lives.His colleagues rejected and ridiculed his idea, branded him a quack, and he was eventually committed to a mental institution where died two weeks later. The thing is, his idea worked, he just couldn’t explain why. His …

- - - | written by Jason on 6/14/2020 | - - -

How to Win the Battle Between Light and Darkness

Antonio Gwynn is an 18-year old high school student. He’d been watching all the unrest on the news and witnessed the damage that had been done in his hometown of Buffalo, New York. He decided it was time for action.If you watch the news, you may have heard that we are at war. It’s true, but the war is not between races, or political parties, or people who say “pop" versus “soda." We are in a battle of light versus darkness. Only when you understand that can you figure out how to achieve victory. I am saddened that when I see people talk on the news about what actions need to be taken, …

- - - | written by Jason on 6/7/2020 | - - -

America is Angry

The bald eagle has long been a symbol of our nation. This painting is a symbol of how our nation is feeling right now.There is a lot of anger.We are angry at the injustice that has gone on too long.We are angry at people who don’t seem to understand our point of view.We are angry at the unproductive violence and destructive looting taking place in our communities. We are angry at our leaders and the media and this damn virus.First of all, let me say this: It’s ok to be angry. I am reminded of my first visit to Miami. One of the main things Kim and I wanted to do was experience South …

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- - - | written by Jason on 6/4/2020 | - - -

Bomb Pops, Pinwheels, Platypuses and 54 Other Things to Be Happy About

When I watch the news or scroll through my social media feed, it’s easy to come away feeling that our world is burning and beyond repair.And yet.Kim and I spent some time at a state park the other day. We encountered lots of groups of young people hiking, hanging out, and having fun together. Many of them were mixed race. There were no news crews to be found. But can you imagine watching the news this evening, showing video after video of these young people with the headline: Racial Unity Breaks Out Across the Country!Then picture a follow-up segment triumphantly declaring that over 421,000 …

- - - | written by Jason on 5/17/2020 | - - -

Hope In The Darkness

It was a dark and stormy night...…that lasted for two months. 😳That’s the season we find ourselves in, when darkness has filled the entire world and months feel like centuries.As I think about darkness, I can't help but think of a strange quality we humans have. Whether it’s a handful of birthday candles in a darkened room, the glowing embers from a campfire in the woods, or the flickering stars in a night sky, we can’t help but be drawn to the light.Throughout this pandemic, a particular phrase has resurfaced again and again during my morning quiet times: fix my eyes.I’ve been encountering it …

- - - | written by Jason on 5/10/2020 | - - -

Standing Up To Coronavirus (or at Least Trying To)

A few days before the President declared a national state of emergency over COVID-19, I was in Indiana with my family and speaking at a fundraiser for a children’s museum. During our visit, Kim and I took the kids ice skating at an indoor rink.There was a little seven-year-old girl on the ice with us. This superstar in a sparkly tutu was gracefully flitting around, skating backward and doing pirouettes. You know, generally making ice skating look as easy as walking down the street.We secured some of those ice walkers for the kids, and they ended up scooting around the rink, slowly (and safely) …

- - - | written by Jason on 4/19/2020 | - - -

Looking for Answers

This is an adapted excerpt from A Chance of Awesome: How Changing the Way You See Changes Everything, which is currently available as a free download. I made a few tweaks here to address our current situation. I’ve heard that God always answers prayers. Sometimes the answer is no. Sometimes, he says yes in ways that seem like a no. During a family vacation in the Pacific Northwest a few years ago, one of the things I wanted to see was an orca. We heard stories of a mama and her baby being spotted in Puget Sound. We kept our eyes peeled on the ferry ride to Victoria. Our vacation …

- - - | written by Jason on 4/12/2020 | - - -

Cool Things Everywhere

One of my favorite parts of being a parent is showing my kids cool things and watching their eyes light up: Let me show you how to make this drawing look even more realistic. Wait 'till you see this tiger up close. You are not going to believe this thing called the ocean. Watch what happens when we heat up these popcorn kernels...Just last week, we watched The Wizard of Oz. My oldest had seen it, but it was brand new to the two littles. What a delight it was to see it through their eyes, with each bend on the yellow brick road leading to something new to marvel at. When we’re young, it’s easy …

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