There have been countless moments in my life when someone or something triggered a big emotion within me. And that emotion always spawned an even bigger, often immediate, reaction from me. Most of those, I have later regretted. We are currently living in one of the most collectively stressful times in the last 50 years, and everywhere people’s reactions are demonstrating the …
Love Labor
Most of us associate Labor Day with the official end of summer, but Labor Day was actually a holiday created in 1894 to celebrate the social and economic achievements of American workers. A creation of the labor movement, it constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. And …
Jump!
Do you remember the experiment where a scientist studying the conditioning of animal behavior put a bunch of fleas in a jar and sealed it with a lid? I hadn’t thought about it in years but was recently reminded of it and its inherent lessons for us in a brilliantly written blog by my friend and colleague, Joan Garbo (https://joangarbo.com/,) where …
Everything Changes
Every parent remembers that moment when a tiny pink or blue bundle in which your newborn baby has been carefully swaddled is laid tenderly into your waiting, anxious arms. In that moment, as you gaze into the eyes of your future, you somehow know that your life has been forever changed. Mine did at 11:50 a.m. June 26, 1983, when …
Happy Birthday to Me
Today is my 61st birthday. Do I feel old? Sometimes. And sometimes I still feel so young it seems virtually impossible that I’m celebrating this many years on the planet. My mother used to tell me that after sixty she was often surprised to see the face that was looking back at her in the mirror because inside, she still …
Orpheus
I’m an optimist by nature. I always have been. I don’t recall a time where I have thoroughly given up on the future, felt completely stuck without options or without hope. I’ve always believed that we, collectively and as individuals, would find our way somehow. But I must admit that lately… I’ve had my moments. And I’ve heard it all around me recently from …
Using my “inside voice”
Every year in July, I disconnect. If not completely, then pretty darn close. With limited cell service and no cable, satellite, or even a TV to play it on in Tom’s rustic cabin in the mountains, my daily Facebook posts, tweets, and blogging slow down to an almost imperceptible crawl. Emails and voice mails are answered within the week, instead of hours. And routine …
Crisis Point
Over the past few months, our nation, and therefore our practices, have experienced a crisis. In one way or another, we’ve all been impacted by this pandemic. John F. Kennedy once said, “When written in Chinese, the word crisis is composed of two characters: One represents danger and the other represents opportunity.” With multiple clients experiencing a crisis all at once, it is …
Upping the Ante
It’s that time of year! Yesterday, we left home for our summer cabin near South Lake Tahoe. During our time at the cabin, we love to hike around the perimeter of Echo Lake. One day, Tom and I were doing that hike, and Tom remarked on what an absolutely perfect day it was for a hike- cool temps, light wind, …
Today I Know
What if I told you that through hardships and tribulations, I had discovered nine characteristics by which to create a rich and beautiful life? Well, I haven’t. But Charlie Chaplin did. I recently read a poem authored by Charlie Chaplin and was so struck by its poignancy that I did a little research to see if I could learn what had inspired …