It seems like we're all juggling a million plates and it's practically impossible to keep them all spinning. Here's a little reminder about what to do about the dust and cobwebs and busyness that piles up as we live our lives. This video was originally posted on Facebook. Become a fan of Kim & Jason on Facebook and get the first scoop on the crazy things we're up to as well as other behind-the-scenes treats. …
[Read more...] about What You Should Do About Dust and Cobwebs
Don't ever wish away time. That's some advice a nursing home social worker gave herself during one of my speaking programs the other day. I'd asked the audience to imagine having an opportunity to sit bedside with their 99-year-old self. What advice would they receive from their more wise and experienced mentor? After giving them a few moments to reflect, I invited them to share. That's when one woman advised, "Don't ever wish away time." What a great piece of advice. And yet we do it all the time, don't we? …
Sometimes I miss the anticipation of Christmas Eve. Trying to will myself to sleep as my mind raced imagining what Santa might leave under the tree seemed a lot like torture at the time. Looking back, I see that it was probably the best part. I was fortunate to experience some of that childlike anticipation recently when Kim and I went to see U2 kick off their North American tour at Soldier Field in Chicago. Bono and the boys are probably our favorite band, and seeing them perform live was on the ol' Bucket List. As we sat in the stadium ogling over the monstrous stage assembled for the …
[Read more...] about Anticipating The City of Blinding Lights
I've been to a lot of weddings. Sometimes I've been in the audience, other times I've been an extra as a member of the wedding party, and once I was even in the supporting role (that's high as guys can go -- the bride is unquestionably the star). On the fun scale of social events, weddings are typically the polar opposite of funerals. But it's funny to me how something that is supposed to be such a joyous and happy event often involves a big ol' cloud of stress. Maybe it's due to the inordinate amount of time spent preparing for one day -- that's a lot of pressure. Maybe all the money …
[Read more...] about How to Keep Your Wedding Adultitis-Free
It's summer, but I have to keep reminding myself that school is out. Because I don't see any kids. Not during the day, at least. It's eerily quiet. I suppose they are all probably inside playing Wii, or more likely, off at some day care center. It's a shame, if you ask me. For most of the kids in my generation and the ones before, summertime was enjoyed outdoors. At home and around the neighborhood. My brothers and I spent our summer days in and out of the kiddie pool and sandbox (resulting in a wet sandbox and a sandy pool). With a tennis ball, a pitchback, and a few slabs of square …
[Read more...] about You’re Not Keeping Up With The Joneses. Or Are You?
Pop quiz: What is the opposite of success? I'm no psychic, but I'm gonna go ahead and guess that you'd probably say that the opposite of success is failure. That would be wrong. The opposite of success, as Joe Malarkey (the Worst Motivational Speaker in America) recently reminded me, is doing nothing. Failure is actually an integral part of success. Joe points out that all successful people have failed. They just didn't stay there very long. We hate failing. We really hate losing. Most of us go to great lengths to avoid experiencing either. Everyone who's ever learned to ride a …
[Read more...] about The Opposite of Success is Not What You Think
Sometimes I long for the days B.L. Before Lucy. Lucy is my seven-month-old daughter and first child. As an entrepreneur, I mistakenly thought my life resembled a roller coaster before this adventure into fatherhood. I realize now that I was only riding the wimpy kiddie coaster — the one without the big drops, corkscrews, and urges to vomit. Looking back, I enjoyed a lot more freedom then. I had way more time to myself, and I could come and go as I pleased. My wife Kim and I could watch more than one hour of a movie before slipping into comas. I didn’t have to deal with dirty diapers, …
[Read more...] about The Weird Thing About the Grass on the Other Side
When you were little, were you ever afraid of the dark? I sure was. From horns and hair to scabs and skeletons, thinking about what lurked among the shadows was an all-you-can-eat buffet for my imagination. In fact, I may not have made it through childhood without that humble but powerful life-saving device known as the night light. Although small in size and wattage, it did a remarkable job of keeping the creepy-crawlies at bay. Without it, I’m sure I’d have long been digested in the belly of a slimy beast from the netherworld known as “Underthebed.” Many lives have been saved by the …
[Read more...] about Shedding Light On What Keeps You Up At Night
Over the past few years, I have watched more Jon & Kate Plus 8 than I care to admit. The wifey got me into it a few years ago. It's not like we watch every episode, but it always seems to be on, and we get sucked in by something cute one of the kids says (like "I got to hit the tiñata."). Initially, I thought watching it made for pretty good birth control. Then Lucy came along and I began thanking my lucky stars that there weren't five more of her in there. Now that I'm doing more of the grocery shopping, I am bombarded by the tabloids alerting me to the latest "scoop" on this couple now …
As I write this, Lucy is a freshly-minted five-month-old. I’m not sure if it seems like it’s been that long or not; the first few weeks were such a blur. I’ve started noticing how big she’s gotten when I see younger babies. I was shocked at church the other day when I saw a newborn cradled in the arms of her mother sitting in front of me. “There’s no way Lucy was ever that small!” I thought. And yet I know she was. There’s something about having kids that really lets you know how much time flies, and that it’s NOT on your side. When it was just me and Kim, time seemed to go by much slower. …
