The Resolve to Be Better
My friend Steve stands out in a crowd. Partly because he’s 6’4”, but mostly because he’s gregarious and has an energy that attracts people. For all the years I’ve known him, he’s been a symbol to me of a thriving, healthy person. So it was difficult to read he has cancer. And it was even […]
Wild Things & Peace: Leaders Thrive with Reflection Time
Poetry that highlights the realities of leadership in many nonprofit organizations inspired this post.
Things our dogs taught me: options and goals
We have 3 dogs, meaning the canines outnumber the humans in our household. We adopted them from our local dog shelter in 2009 and 2010. They’re roughly the same age and have sorted out among themselves the hierarchy of the pack. For the most part, it’s a peaceable kingdom. It takes only one dog’s bark […]
Gone Fishing: Wisdom from my Grandfather
Summer reminds me of my grandfather because it was his favorite time to go fishing. He liked to wake up early so we could be on the lake by sunrise and home before the relentless Texas heat bore down on us. Our fishing trips included lots of conversation, which is probably better described as me […]
Mothers Day Revisited
A friend of mine shared a video of her sermon to her congregation on Mothers Day. She introduced the video with a brief disclaimer stating that she wasn’t sure if her mother would approve of her sharing some of the parts of her life. My friend’s mother was a teacher, so I suspect she would […]
On Transformation: The Value of Monarchs
The words of Henry David Thoreau may point you in a direction you need, but didn’t realize. Springtime is inspiring for many reasons, especially when you’re considering a personal transformation. “Each new year is a surprise to us. We find that we had virtually forgotten the note of each bird, and when we hear it […]
Seeing Things Differently
I’ve worn contact lenses or glasses to see since I was 6 years old. During a visit to the doctor before I got glasses, my mother took great offense when the doctor said, “Maybe you should buy him a dog. He’s going to need one to help him get around in a few years.” She […]
The Power of the Pause
When I was younger, I thought being responsive was a strength. As more and more things demanded action, it became more and more difficult to respond, and more and more frustrating to me when I was unable to do so. Discussing it with my coach, I found that taking a brief pause gave me a […]
The Day You Discover Why
Mark Twain is sometimes credited with this bit of wisdom: “The two most important days in your life are the day you’re born and the day you discover why.” What I like about it is its focus on purpose. And purpose is powerful. When I served as a nonprofit CEO, I found myself asking what […]