There used to be this unbelievable Oak Tree in my neighbor’s yard – the most amazing tree I’ve ever seen. My children nicknamed this great White Oak Old Majestic. It was seven feet in diameter, and its limbs hung over three different houses on our road. I remember one evening I was suffering. A partner…
Early in my career, I had the opportunity to work in Europe. I was on assignment alone for ten months and ended up feeling very isolated. One of my escapes from the solitude, however, was the newfound interest I found in art. I became mesmerized by the influential artist Édouard Manet (not to be confused…
Many mornings I wake up struggling. The different obligations in my life weigh on me and create anxiety, and I muddle around until I start doing something. The moment I take action, my anxiety lessens. I feel empowered and start to regain a sense of control. The instant we act is the start of the…
My life coach once told me that martyrdom is like crack: highly addictive and very destructive. I have come to see this mindset of the martyr in myself far too often. I often notice that I’m feeling sorry for myself because, woe is me, I’m always busy, I never get any time to relax, and…
My parents are punctual to a fault. I remember us often showing up to parties and social gatherings before the hosts were even dressed or the appetizers were prepared. It didn’t seem awkward to me at the time, but I’m sure the host would have preferred she had a little more space as she took…
A wise man once shared with me a valuable perspective. He told me, “When I was 18, all I cared about was what other people thought of me. When I was in my 40’s, I decided to stop caring what other people thought about me. Now in my 60’s, I realize that people were rarely…
I’m going to be really candid here. I have spent the last 20 years diligently working to improve myself. To say it was an uphill battle is an understatement. Anything requiring extensive discipline and willpower tends to inhibit my success, so many of my efforts have come up short. Recently, however, I started to experience…
A definition from the wise folks at Merriam-Webster: resolution (noun) : the act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict, problem, etc. : the act of resolving something So, conflict resolution is a way for two or more parties to find a peaceful solution to a disagreement among them. Simple, right? Then why…