Two weeks ago, I asked my wife to read one of my blog posts. She had already read it two other times, but she agreed, giving it one final review and told me that it looked fine. When I pressed her on an important change in wording, she laughed and said, “Yes, I saw that, … More Out of my comfort zone
Last week, my dear colleague, Vicki and I were talking about how in an uncanny way a post of hers that she written, but hadn’t yet published, dovetailed with something I’d just recorded in the podcast with Deirdre. It was something that could be interpreted as a beautiful moment of synchronicity but when it happens … More Originality
In my teaching career, it didn’t matter much to me whether the class was a lecture or a smaller discussion group. Making connections with my students and seeing them build a sense of community with each other always felt like job #1. Yes…learning names was the starting point…but I found it useful to go deeper … More The Power of Poetry & Place
Today, April 22, marks Earth Day. Next Friday, April 28th, marks Arbor Day. I continue to hope when I think about these two days. I direct that hope towards an increasing number of people gaining awareness of why these two days are marked yearly on our calendars and towards those who strive to learn the … More Quiet Reflection
There are five or six people in my life that are going through some big personal or professional stuff. Which brings up for me how I can be there for them. There is nothing I can solve and for the most part, I’ve retired my “advice monster” or at least I’ve tried to. But still … More Episode 14: Holding Space with Deirdre Wilcox
I believe in the phrase, ‘better together’. My friends and family like to joke that it’s just Vicki’s sunny version of ‘misery loves company’. No…it’s not. Misery is coming…if you haven’t experienced it yet, you won’t be immune forever. Living, loving…misery. It all swims together and the ocean of life can become bumpy with high … More Gratitude & Grit
Several years ago, my wife and I went to an office supply store to get a few Back to School items for her classroom. The school, located in an urban district, provides a budget, but it’s usually not much, so we usually cover the rest for paper, pencils, extra library books for her students, etc. … More Thinking like a kid
My dad’s forever gift to me was the belief, “It’ll be great, Kid!: … More It’s Going to be Great, Kid.
I love the broad theme of “creativity” here at Heart of the Matter this month. Wynne’s suggestion that we explore the topic in periodic posts was a great one…it could easily become an indefinite series! Writing and learning from talented, insightful bloggers enriches my perspective about the ways in which we’re all ‘creative’. I loved … More Creativity of Being
A few weeks ago Brenda, who writes at Curiosities, Castles and Coffee Shops wrote a great post about logic versus emotion and the ways in which she is influenced by both. She talked specifically about how she believes that allowing her emotional side to prevail brings her greater happiness, a sense of balance and significantly less … More Lines and Barriers
The Heart of the Matter 