In early 2017, I set a goal for myself to do a single unassisted pull up. It’s October, and I’m still working on it. And that’s a win. Why is it a win, if I haven’t met my goal yet? Because without accountability from the personal trainers that I mentioned my goal to, I would have given up by now. Finding an accountability partner My trainer, Beth, pictured above helping me develop the … [Read more...] about Step 13: Ask Someone(s) for Accountability
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Step 2: Create an Echo Chamber of Healthy Living
We tend to surround ourselves with opinions and ideas that reinforce our own. This happens particularly around politics and social issues, in our modern media age. Living in the echo chamber, they call it. That insulated place can give us a false sense of reality. But when creating new habits and neural pathways, an insulated place also can serve us well. We can create an echo chamber of … [Read more...] about Step 2: Create an Echo Chamber of Healthy Living
Ignoring the Smell and Creating Connections
“Fish and visitors smell after three days.” — Benjamin Franklin I grew up less than two miles from all four of my grandparents and saw them almost daily. Our relationships grew in the routine: shelling peas on the sofa with my grandmother while we watched General Hospital, riding in my grandfather's truck to buy new Barbie clothes at the five-and-dime on Sunday afternoon. We'd … [Read more...] about Ignoring the Smell and Creating Connections
Your Photo Christmas Card Must Include This
If you're going to send us a photo Christmas card this year, I hope you make sure you're in it. We do love seeing your perfect children and grandchildren, and we hope you enjoy seeing our perfect children too. And that vista overlooking Barcelona on your 25th anniversary is lovely. But without you in the picture, too, the card simply doesn’t mean as much to us. Remember walking the high … [Read more...] about Your Photo Christmas Card Must Include This
Keys to Surviving and Thriving in the Holidays
We may wish for the Norman Rockwell version of Thanksgiving, family smiling and laughing joyfully as they surround a table with a big ol’ turkey. But let’s be real. Someone will say something provocative. And then someone replies in anger. Old slights resurface. New ones leave a fresh cut. Tensions run high when people who normally don’t spend a lot of time together come together for an … [Read more...] about Keys to Surviving and Thriving in the Holidays
Will You Be Vulnerable Today?
You won’t be vulnerable today. Me, neither. We all want to belong. The ways we can do that now are vast, particularly when we consider our online communities. But belonging is different than finding true connection. Belonging is being part of the running club, the worship team, the school improvement team, the neighborhood BUNCO group. But True Connection, which often begins … [Read more...] about Will You Be Vulnerable Today?
