Humility is “the mother and mistress of all the virtues”, according to the early church father John Cassian. Makes me wonder…if humility is all that important, just how much of it do I possess? Humility is in short supply. “Hubris and babble permeate the very air we...
What is your number one “ick” about people? I’m not a big fan of slang, but I like “ick”. Ick is that feeling of dislike you get about a person because of something they said or did that turned you off. While you think of your “ick”, I’ll tell you mine. You’re having...
My wife told me recently that she almost spit out her tea laughing at something she read…“My favorite childhood memory is my back not hurting.” It’s funny/not funny, isn’t it? I could add to that sarcastic piece of humor my knees, my shoulder, and countless other body...
In my last newsletter and blog post I suggested that there are five predominant reasons you get out of bed in the morning and go do what you do. Here’s my take on work motives from worst to best: “I’ve got a gun to my head.” “Because I said I would.” “It’s just what I...
Why do you work? Whether it’s to get paid or to serve as a volunteer, what motivates you to go do your thing? There are a range of reasons we get up and get after it. One end of the work incentive scale feels dark and threatening and the other end feels bright and...
I can’t get out of my mind this notion that there is an elephant in the room that we’re trying to ignore. That is, when it comes to our well-being. We all know and are continually reminded with growing data from research that we are not a happy or content people. No,...
I don’t want to wind up having simply visited this world. Mary Oliver, “When Death Comes” I hope that quote was inspiring and not depressing! It certainly stirred me in a good way, maybe because this time of year I think deeper thoughts than normal. I suspect you do,...
On the floor of the airport in Idaho Falls Just me and the tile and the bathroom stalls Silent screams of my fear echoing off the walls Not the place that I thought I'd be losing it all Slowly, surely Night will turn to day Whisper softly You're gonna be okay For a...
“I lift up my eyes to the hills…where does my help come from?” That wistful cry from the Hebrew Scriptures (Psalm 121:1) has always been so evocative for me. The author is scanning the horizon wondering if someone (God?) will ride down to render aid in their moment of...
Emotionally: I’m done Mentally: I’m drained Spiritually: I’m dead Physically: I smile That’s one concise and painfully honest piece of soul-searching, isn’t it? I’ve been there. That state is indicative of living with an empty bucket. In my last newsletter and blog I...
