Normally I share my silly ‘Crack Myself Up’ stories on Victoria Ponders but this one was too timely, given that Mother’s Day is just a few days away – this coming Sunday here in the U.S. and in Canada. (Btw…I love this resource which provides some of the historical background about Mother’s Day – including … More Crack Myself Up: “The Layaway Plan”
I love a good Ralph Waldo Emerson quote, don’t you? There are many gems to choose from but when I stumbled across these words recently they gave me pause when I needed it. It’s been nearly two years since I wrote about my love of the quote. Nice to visit you again, old friend: “The … More A Sanity-Saving Hack
Commemorating our 100th (plus!) podcast, Wynne and I sat down with our partner and writer extraordinaire, Brian Hannon to do a little reflecting. Given Brian’s background as a reporter, a communications professional and a beloved blogger, we knew we were in for a good time. Turning the mic over to Brian was so much fun! … More Episode 103: Turning the Tables with Brian Hannon
I grew up with a mom who held being fair as a cornerstone of her parenting philosophy. The one time that I found out all my presents ahead of time was because my mom had a system. She would keep a list to the penny of what she’d spent on each person so that it … More Life: According to Fairness or Need?
I was at the skate park with my kids and nine-year-old Miss O saw a sticker about Mary Oliver and asked about it. I answered that Mary Oliver was a poet and that her most oft quoted line is “Tell me, what is it that you plan to do with your one wild and precious … More Answering Mary Oliver
In my early twenties I was a fan girl. No, not for popular bands like Van Halen or the Cars…not even Cheap Trick. Nope. The object of my attention and adoration was a psychologist. Of all the theories I encountered in my studies, stumbling into “Humanism” and the work of Carl Rogers changed my life. … More I’m a Fan Girl for Carl Rogers
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
The young man spent most of his free time at the firehouse. If he wasn’t at his warehouse job, the one that paid the bills, he was found most evenings at the firehouse. He was the youngest volunteer on the team, so most of his time was spent cleaning up after the rest of the … More In the eye of the beholder
The first time I met Susan I thought she came across as rude and opinionated. I had just started a new job and my boss introduced her as my project manager. She looked to be a few years older than me, wore a black dress and jewelry that seemed better suited for going out on … More What kind of message would I be leaving?
My mom held tight to my arm this past Saturday as I helped her to her seat and wheeled her walker out of the way. She doesn’t get around quite like she used to when she was a younger woman, but when the wedding DJ started playing uptempo club music, I joked with her that … More Courage to forge your own path
The Heart of the Matter 