I watched two documentaries about rock climbing this weekend: The Dawn Wall and Free Solo. Both were compelling and for completely different reasons. Each will have you shaking your head in awe at what humans can achieve. And how different our dreams are from each other. There are so many ways to push our...
Continue readingOne Word
“Blank” is the hardest job I’ve ever had. “Blank” is the hardest choice I’ve ever had. “Blank” is the hardest gift I’ve ever had. One word can change how we think about the big things in our life. How are you talking to yourself about what matters the most?...
Continue readingTen Minutes
Tonight I set a timer for ten minutes and shut my eyes to dream. What I went through for those ten minutes was pretty miraculous and I’ll describe it for you. At first I fidgeted quite a bit. Itched my nose. Licked my lips. Scratched itches. I had a lot of itches. Then I...
Continue readingFirst It’s Gotta Be Ugly
When you cut yourself first you’ve got to stop the bleeding. Then assess how bad it is. Then decide if it needs a bandaid or stitches. Then allow it to heal. Sometimes ointment helps. Sometimes ice. Or pain medication. As the cut heals the edges start to get crusty. Sometimes there’s dark blood visible....
Continue readingGetting Through VS Dealing With It
My mom passed away from lung cancer in December of 2013. It was devastating to watch her suffer and then die. To lose my best friend. And it feels as fresh today as it did six years ago. I know that I will never get over it. And that’s ok. But I do want...
Continue readingFun For Fun’s Sake
Are you setting yourself up to feel joy and excitement? Or are you setting yourself up to be angry, frustrated, and disappointed? Why is it so hard for some people (ok all of us) to just enjoy the things we do (rowing, writing, cooking, painting, whatever)? Why do we have to put so much...
Continue readingKicks
Some days I am overwhelmed. Stress. Changes. Purchases. Lack of sleep. Work. And then my wife calls me over. I place my head on her belly. And feel our baby kick. And all of that negativity fades away. And I remember my why. My family. It is so hard to keep things in perspective...
Continue readingNot Tonight
No advise or wisdom to share. Maybe I’ll be more inspired tomorrow. G’night....
Continue readingMake Room For Tomorrow
It feels so good to lay down at the end of the day. I let out a long groan as I fall onto the bed. Even the dog looks at me funny and she’s the queen of moans and groans. I don’t remember being this tired or stiff or slow to move around. But...
Continue readingUgly Leadership
What message are you sending as a leader? I matter more than you? Or we both matter equally? Running long on a meeting and making others wait. Making sure you are recognized first. Expecting others not to challenge you. Being unaware of those who follow you and what they are working on. These messages...
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