“Learning to accept compliments gracefully is a vital part of learning to love yourself.”
―Unknown 

Early in my coaching journey, I complimented my physician coach on an enlightening session.  She responded, “I accept your compliment with gratitude.” I raised a curious eyebrow, “Huh?” Sh...

“Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.” 

—Brené Brown

In her book, I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t), Brené Brown takes the time to distinguish the difference between guilt and shame.  Guilt is: “I did something bad.” Shame is: “I am bad.” The...

“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.” 

—Mark Black

In August 2022, I gave myself one job: Do nothing. My goal was to rest, rejuvenate and relax. I have spent so much of my life hustling and achieving that a much-needed rest was undoubtedly in order. And guess what happened? I ...

“When I argue with reality, I lose—but only 100% of the time.” 

—Byron Katie

Control is an illusion. We all know that to be true. We can be diligent about planning, coordinating, and scheduling and even leave a margin for error. And sometimes, despite our best efforts, things don’t...

You can’t read the label from inside the jar.

I never saw myself as an athlete. Little League was an indisputable disaster, and my confidence was shaken. I did have a barbell and a bench and started lifting weights as a teenager. It wasn’t a regular hobby, but I enjoyed it. The weightli...

“Life does not change if you only modify the content,

your life will change if you will dare to alter the context.”

–Santosh Kalwar

Have you heard the commencement speech given by David Foster Wallace, called This Is Water? I hadn’t. It isn’t your typical commencement speech filled w...

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”

   Ralph Waldo Emerson

What is a story?  When I think of a story, I think of a fairy tale.  An imaginary account that has been concocted for entertainment.  It may also serve to teach a lesson or prevent ha...

Balance does not mean that everything gets equal weighting all the time

One of the biggest struggles of my adult life has been the elusive idea of work-life balance.  It seems like a simple concept.  First, determine your priorities.  Then, live your life aligned with those priorities. ...

“Once you accept your flaws, no one can use them against you.”

   Tyrion Lannister, Game of Thrones

I like to tell the story about the evening I met my wife.  We were out to dinner with a group of people, and she was sitting across the table from me.  After a friend made an annoying com...

What is this self inside us, this silent observer,

Severe and speechless critic , who can terrorize us

And urge us on to futile activity

And in the end, judge us still more severely

For the errors into which his own reproaches drove us?

   T. S. Eliot, The Elder Statesman

In...

“Being a dad means being there for your pups through thick and thin, teaching them, playing with them, and showing them love every day. It’s the greatest adventure of all.”
―Bandit Heeler

If you have young children, you might be familiar with the cartoon series Bluey.  For those unfamili...

“Your goals are the road maps that guide you and show you what is possible for your life.”
―Les Brown

We ask our children to wonder and dream, and they do.

• What do you want to be when you grow up? 
• If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it? 
• If you could be a superher
...