I had a robust self-esteem from early childhood. Surrounded by family, grandparents and great grandparents, I knew I was treasured. I was a good student in my less than rigorous high school. I was a standout in my extracurricular activities as a big fish in a very small pond. I left that cozy environment, yet [read more] …
Younger Years: K-8
The Art of Being Interested
It is a thing that must be trained, this art of being interested in others. It’s amazing what a person can learn about the world by merely asking heartfelt questions of those around them. Our children will normally follow our example and learn how to shift the focus from SELF to a true appreciation and [read more] …
Life Lessons from the Sticker Patch
With a large rural acreage, there is always something a gardener is fighting. Sometimes it is a grasshopper invasion. This past year it has been wild hogs and gophers. Currently our battle has targeted the extremely persistent sandbur patches. After several years of serious spraying, we are making great progress against these painful little stickers. [read more] …
A Golden Summer
While I am not a philosopher, I love Aristotle’s thoughts on the golden mean, the appropriate midpoint between two extremes. It is a place of balance, a place that allows us time and space to move thoughtfully forward without rushing. Why is it that we struggle with finding this golden point in our lives? We [read more] …
Changing Lives with Keystone Habits
In his very excellent book, The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg makes a compelling case that some habits are more important than others. He calls these keystone habits which “can influence how people work, eat, play, live, spend, and communicate.” Adopting a keystone habit can start a process that has the potential to transform our [read more] …