One of the most challenging things to do in baseball is hit a curve ball. Especially the nasty ones. When I played ball in high school, we used to practice with whiffle balls to try and get used to the spin and trajectory of the pitch. But nothing compared to the real thing. In the heat of the battle, the eyes of the spectators are on you. If a strong, tall lefty unleashes a big bender, your mind suddenly goes into decision-by-committee mode. Your upper body lunges forward, eager to pounce on the offering that is slower than a fastball. Your knees buckle, as if to say, "Mayday! Mayday! It's …
Maintain Perspective
An Experience So Grand
I'm not sure it's possible to explain the Grand Canyon experience in words. Or pictures. Or anything else, for that matter. Talk about an escape from adulthood and all its worries and stresses! The ride north from Phoenix was a treat in and of itself. We took the "scenic" route through Prescott, Jerome, and Sedona. In the desert, the cacti looked like prickly green fingers pointing to the bright blue sky. As our elevation increased, the rock formations reminded me of old men with wrinkled faces and sunburned cheeks, looking over the pine trees standing at full attention like a million green …
Stress Begets Stress
Remember Jeff Foxworthy's, "You might be a redneck if..."? Classic! Recently in our speaking gigs we have started helping audiences identify their Adultitis by giving some examples in a similar way. For instance, you might have Adultitis if... you consider your cell phone a body part. You might have Adultitis if... it's dark when you leave home in the morning and it's dark when you get home, and you don't live in Alaska. This last one is quite an issue. I happened upon an article talking about the trend of commuters leaving earlier and earlier, while also leaving work later in the day to …
No More Negativity
Continuing my “Beyond the Elementary" series (helping adults move out of childish behaviors, to live more childlike lives with less stress and more success), here's lesson #4... 4. No More Negativity Have you ever met a kid who makes a big deal out of nothing all of the time? This is the kid who gets a papercut and cries uncontrollably until the entire class has seen and heard about it. This is also the kid who interrupts a Dr. Seuss story to tattle on someone- again! There are many reasons why this child insists on being a "handful." Often it's a cry for help, a way to get attention, …
A 9/11 Tradition
Kim has already posted a pretty good take on September 11 and the events that transpired six years ago. (Six years already?!) I'd just like to add a simple question: How has your life changed? Some of us have had friends and family members who have fought in Afghanistan and Iraq. But for many people, the only big change has been the extra security at airports. Other than that, life has settled into the same hurried ruts that were prevalent in pre-9/11 days. …
Living Free
As I sit on my front porch this September 11th I can't help but be in a mood that is equal parts melancholy, nostalgic and inspired. Such a strange combination. Life changed as we know it six years ago. Not only were lives lost, but innocence was stolen. The fight against terror is overwhelming and persistent. We are all so blessed that there are courageous men and women willing to give their lives for our safety. Boy, do we take that for granted. What I find horrific as a sit and reflect is the number of people who were not victims of that awful day, but who are waiting for a tragedy …
5 Ways to Prevent a Stressful School Year
There is something about the new school year which brings a healthy balance of anxiety and optimism for both kids and parents. This year will be even better than last year. There are still many unknowns and things out of your control, but overall a fresh start is always a good thing. With this hope in mind I have five things you can do to prevent a stressful school year. 1. Do not over schedule yourselves. 2. Do not over schedule yourselves. 3. Do not over schedule yourselves. 4. Do not over schedule yourselves. 5. Do not over schedule yourselves. The reality for most kids between …
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When Mosquitoes Attack
The other night Kim and I were on one of our famous walks. It was late, and our steps were guided by the full moon's glow and the occasional street light. We were immersed in a great conversation brainstorming about the business. As we passed a park, my wife, who has a bladder the size of an infant leprechaun, spotted a port-a-potty. She had to go. Did I mention it was dark? Ink black dark. My role as husband meant that I was enlisted to hold the door open for her so she could see what she was doing. (Although in my experience, the less I'm able to see in those things, the better.) No …
Eeyore or Tigger?
As I sat typing on Daisy, my Mac, waiting for the car to get some fresh oil, I couldn't help but smile to myself at the psychology lesson that was unfolding right before my eyes. Folks were coming in to drop off their cars for everything from oil changes to big money repairs. To say that "attitude is everything" at the mechanics is an understatement. First a thirty-something woman came in, very Eeyore-like. Although she wasn't elderly, she sure seemed to be moving at a pace that would get her some significant discounts at Arby's. Her presence was gloomy and grey, just like America's …
Death of the Grown-Up
Will the death of the grown-up bring about our downfall? Could be. You may be asking, "How can you write this, Mr. Author of Escape Adulthood: 8 Secrets from Childhood for the Stressed-Out Grown-Up?" Easy. The book, The Death of the Grown-up: How America's Arrested Development Is Bringing Down Western Civilization by Diana West, is supported by many well-known conservatives. I suspect that it might veer off to an extreme tangent, but I agree with many of its premises. Parents spend way too much time trying to be their kids friends rather than their parents. We are way too politically …