Jason and I are 'wish granters' for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of WI. This is such an unbelievable volunteer opportunity. We get to work directly with wish families to help them through the wish process. By definition this job means we get to talk with the wish child about his/her one special wish, sometimes brainstorming wish ideas with the family and we help them fill out the necessary paperwork. In addition, the job allows us the opportunity to humbly walk into someone's life at a particularly dark time and add a small bit of light and hope. This job has given Jason and I a lot to think …
Live Passionately
God’s Porsche
I've been reading a pretty interesting book by Terry Esau, called "Surprise Me, A 30-Day Faith Experiment." It has a neat concept behind it. He decided to start every day with the simple prayer, "Surprise me, God" and then write about what he experienced each day. It's kind of like "reading" Reality TV, except it's, well, real. (I know, I know, we all spend at least a few moments of every day traipsing around some jungle competing in games involving coconuts and pants made out of palm trees.) Anyway, he's a very entertaining writer which makes the book a really good read. This passage …
He Waves Back
When you wave at someone, hopefully they will wave back, right? Now, everyone has experienced 'those people' who, for some reason, do not. This makes absolutely no sense to me. In fact, when I worked in a school I would experience this quite often with my coworkers, in terms of 'saying hi.' Ok, here's the scenario, tell me if this has happened to you. It's you and 'this person' walking towards each other on opposite sides of the hallway (staying in your own lanes). At the socially appropriate time, you look up to make eye contact and either smile or say hello, depending on the social …
Get a Clue
In my book I mention the idea that the things we dreamed about being when we were kids are clues. Clues to what, you may ask? Clues to what you're supposed to be doing with your life. I was fascinated with all things Star Wars as a young tyke. I dreamed of being just like George Lucas. While I don't live in California and am not secretly involved in writing Episodes 7, 8, and 9, I do spend a good portion of my time developing characters, telling stories, and entertaining people. (And fortunately, my special effects budget is several million dollars lower than that of Mr. Lucas.) …
Starbucks and the Act of Deciding
When many of us think of our "job," the first word to come to mind is not often "yippee!" But did you know that as an employee, you actually have the choice about whether or not you enjoy your job? Yes, the sheer act of deciding to like your job is the first step in making your nine-to-fives (or ten-to-sixes) more enjoyable. If you're an employer, did you know that creating an atmosphere in which employees love their jobs is not only not as expensive and time consuming and touchy feely as you might think, but can also save you gobs of money in advertising as well? …
Ice Cold Water
One of my favorite things to do in the world is to go on a walk with my husband. That's actually one of the reasons we fell in love with Madison. It has some very beautiful lakes surrounded by trails for walking. The other day, as we walked in the humid, sticky weather, I was blessed with a "swingset moment." The childhood memory whisked back before I even saw what was happening. I heard the high pitched screeches of excitement from three children, two of which were wearing their everyday clothes soaking wet, weighing them down like heavy blankets. The third child was a toddler who very …
NASA Has Adultitis
In my last post, I commented on Mr. Buzz Aldrin, one of the first (and only) guys to walk on the moon. In 1962, in a speech given at Rice University in Texas, President John F. Kennedy challenged our nation to put a man on the moon: We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to …
Don’t Settle
Steve Jobs, the CEO of Apple Computer and Pixar Animation Studios, recently delivered a commencement address at Standford University. I am a die-hard Mac fan, and I think he's one of the most innovative entrprenuers of my generation, so I listen to pretty much anything this guy says. But you don't have to own an iPod to appreciate his words of wisdom: Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. …
A Letter from Patch
I got a cool letter from Patch Adams the other day. Yes, that Patch Adams. I had sent him an early review copy of my book, looking for some feedback. I was hard-pressed to think of anyone who was a better example of how to escape adulthood. I also sent him one of our greeting cards inspired by the part in the movie when the old lady got to live her dream of swimming in a big pool of noodles. I later found out that that was actually one of Patch's dreams. Anyway, here's what he wrote (If you click on the picture, you can see the actual letter): …
Don’t Flunk Adulthood
I wonder how many giddy students have tossed their flat hats to the clouds these last few weeks? Finally free! Bring on the “real world!” Free from what? Homework, grueling group projects, evening classes, early classes, iffy dorm food, obnoxious neighbors. Ok, granted, those are all very valid reasons to toss that hat as high as you can, but I am saddened by the false notion that the “real world” is freeing. After all of the hard work of late nights writing papers and cramming, it is very freeing to look at adulthood with hope. No more late nights. I go to work and come home, right? In the …