Everybody I run into is so excited about being in election season! Not. We've only just begun, and the weariness and dread is palpable. In the United States, this is the most important election in our lifetime. Pay no mind that this is said every four years; maybe they're right this time? Of course, the issues at stake matter, but is there any way to make a difference without being sucked into the division and negativity that's become so prevalent? As a professional reminder-er, allow me to share some insights that you probably already know, but are easy to forget when emotions run …
You & Improved
Things That Aren’t Supposed to Happen
Things that aren't supposed to happen are happening all the time. One such happening was the construction of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, which my family had the chance to visit this summer. Its very existence was considered an impossibility by some very smart people. The Arch was dreamed up by architect Eero Saarinen in 1947 as part of a design competition to build a monument to the westward expansion of the United States. Although his design won unanimously, construction did not begin until 16 years later, in 1963. There were many reasons for the delay, including funding …
How Many Seeds in a Watermelon?
What do motivational posters, charismatic preachers, and embroidered pillows have in common? They regularly tell us to count our blessings. If we're in the midst of a good day, we'd probably admit it would take a long time to count all our blessings. Maybe even longer than it would take to count all the seeds in a watermelon. But theoretically, both could be done. This painting was inspired by the saying "Anyone can count the number of seeds in a watermelon, but only God can count the number of watermelons in a seed." Today is the second anniversary of the day I needed a …
I Don’t Want a Dog Thank You Very Much
I like dogs. I think they can be wonderful companions and bring a lot of happiness into a person or family's life. But I don't want one. It's amazing how that simple statement throws people into a tizzy. So many people immediately go to great lengths to convince me why a dog would be great for me and my family. Some feel judged, as if I think they were wrong to get a dog, despite me starting this reflection to the contrary. Here's another grenade: I have no desire to go on a cruise. I love traveling, but despite the many benefits, a cruise does not sound appealing to me, at …
Something Wonderful Is About to Happen
Do you feel it? It's subtle, but if you quiet yourself just enough, you may be able to pick up the vibrations of a slow build of energy gaining momentum. The timing is uncertain. It might be tomorrow. It might be next week. It won't be long. Something wonderful is about to happen. It's hard to pinpoint just what it will be, but that's part of what makes it so tantalizing. It could be anything! It might be life-changing. It might be small but immensely satisfying. It might be a total surprise or an answered prayer that's been a long time coming. The only certainty is that it will be …
The Problem with Pursuing Happiness
Maybe Thomas Jefferson made a mistake. Maybe he never should have incorporated that line from John Locke into the Declaration of Independence, the one about the "pursuit of happiness." Nothing wrong with happiness, of course. Everyone wants it be happy. It's the pursuit that gets us into trouble. In the movie Jesus Revolution, the free-spirited Lonnie Frisbee has a conversation with a conservative pastor who is suspicious of hippies. Lonnie admits, "We might seem a little strange, but if you look deeper, if you look with love, you'll see a group of kids searching for all the …
An Inconvenient & Unappetizing Truth
The truth will set you free. Unfortunately, it's rarely convenient and often appears unappetizing. I was moderating a panel on work-life balance for a group of engineers. Four experienced veterans were sharing insights to help these future leaders achieve a new level of growth. The following morning, with the panelists gone, I facilitated a discussion about what was shared the evening before. I asked for examples of advice that resonated as well as any sentiments they disagreed with. One young man raised his hand and admitted, "I guess I was disappointed that the answer to better life …
One Last Time
The two angels in the back row wearing yellow t-shirts and gold tinsel halos were mine. My two youngest kids were in a musical as part of our homeschool co-op. It was the first time on stage for both of them. We went to both performances and they did great! Naturally, opening night was filled with nervous excitement and hyperactive butterflies. There were no noticeable gaffs or forgotten lines from anyone. It was an impressive effort. The second day was different. Still good, but some missed cues and forgotten lines that added awkward uncomfortability. One might think the second …
The Ogres in Maine
There are ogres in Maine. My daughter Lucy and I were there for a speaking engagement in Portland. We spent some free time visiting the lighthouse, and Lucy paused to photograph some plants she saw along our path. (She is her mother's daughter!) Then, a crabby ogre emerged up over the cliff. Her vile breath slapped us in the face as she bellowed through rotten teeth, "That's GARLIC MUSTARD. It's a TERRIBLE weed!" And just like that, she disappeared from view, apparently returning to the dank cave she calls home. Okay, it wasn't an ogre. And she didn't have bad breath or …
Horses vs. Hummingbirds: The Winner Is…
One of the main reasons I wrote the book Must Be Nice is because I compare myself to other people all the time. Social media exacerbates this, but honestly, I don't need anybody's help. I compare myself to other speakers, other artists, and authors. Both dead and alive. I compare myself and my house and my yard and my patio furniture to my neighbors. I compare myself to the people I went to high school with that I see posting on Facebook. I compare myself to other guys who can build things and fix things and fight things better than me. I compare myself to people older …
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