As a pastor’s kid, I’ve seen my share of Candlelight Services. Perhaps you’ve been to one too – they usually start at 11pm on Christmas Eve. At the very end, as it closes in on midnight, everyone gets a candle. The flame from the candle on the altar is passed around until the candles are … More Candlelight Aglow
In this podcast, which is episode two of a two-part series, Dr. Stein walks us through his list, How to Become Your Own Best Friend. This is one of our favorite essays from Dr. Stein which is saying a great deal given the depth and breadth of his wisdom. In last week’s episode, we covered … More Episode 47: Be Your Own Best Friend With Dr. Gerald Stein – Part II
In this podcast, which is episode one of a two-part series, Dr. Stein walks us through his list, How to Become Your Own Best Friend. This is one of our favorite essays from Dr. Stein which is saying a great deal given the depth and breadth of his wisdom. He opens the list with the … More Episode 46: Be Your Own Best Friend With Dr. Gerald Stein – Part I
When my daughter was in high school, I would look over the essays that she submitted to her English class or for college admission applications. I would get out my red pen, it was really the “Track Changes” Tool within Microsoft Word, and highlight where I thought she should cut, use tighter language, or rephrase … More Role reversal: Learning from my kids
I’m not much of a football fan. I say that to preface any errors that I might include in my description of an incredibly human moment in a football game. This past weekend, my alma mater, the University of Washington (UW), played Washington State (WSU) in the Apple Cup, our in-state rivalry game. The tension … More A Concentrated Dose of Emotion
In this episode, I’m with my co-host, Dr. Vicki Atkinson, and my delightful daughter, Miss O. Miss O shares a personal narrative that’s she written as an assignment in 3rd grade. And then she tells us what a hook is and what she’s learned about drawing in an audience by using one. She fills us … More Episode 45: Third Grade Writing Wisdom with Miss “O”
I recently heard that there’s been a shake-up in the world of Happiness research. On a Ten Percent Happier podcast on which Dan Harris was interviewing happiness researcher, Elizabeth Dunn, she said she went back to review the research done on the five things that have traditionally been recommended for improving happiness: Practicing gratitude Social … More Happiness Research
In this episode of the Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcast, I’m with my co-host, Dr. Vicki Atkinson, and writer and author, Brian Hannon. Brian is one of our colleagues on the Heart of the Matter blog and we love the inspiration he brings forward about writing and creativity on a regular basis. In … More Episode 44: Hot Tips For Writing About Family with Brian Hannon
The thing I noticed first was his calmness. He wasn’t like the other teachers, coaches, or family friends in my life. He had a soft voice that you sometimes had to strain to hear and he rarely seemed to yell or scold. Within five minutes of his class starting on the first day, he gave … More An angel when I needed it most
I am my sister’s keeper. Her guardian, her advocate, her ally and proudly, I am her best friend. Given her many disabilities I learned as a child that despite Lisa’s status as my older sister, she needed me to rise to be her protector. Our relationship has changed as we’ve watched life unfold but the … More I Love Her Better…Now That She’s Gone
The Heart of the Matter 