What does it mean to SHOW UP? When I first unpacked this life lesson in Listen Up, Kids, it was about being physically present. In a sense, it was along the lines of show up to school every day and you will at least get a good score in attendance/participation. As I...
What is Love in Action? It’s a great question. One that seems like it’s an easy answer. It’s hugs, kisses and saying “I love you,” right? Sending cards or emails from a distance. Ordering flowers or gifts. Those are loving gestures, right? Sure, they are great ways of...
I got real exposure to spiritual encounters while doing mission work in Reynosa Mexico many years ago. We called it “Jesus Sightings.” We were encouraged by leaders to take time out and do walk abouts in the colonia. If we were really present in the moment, we just...
When we have conversations about habits, it is rarely about developing good habits. Those conversations usually begin at the other end of the spectrum. And that’s why habits get a bad wrap. They often get described as “nasty,” “bad,” or “terrible” habits that are...
I’ve been in the “Christians verses Halloween” debate many times. It compelled me to write this post last year, and I am sharing it again - edited a bit - because it continues to contribute to the active conversation going. Not all will agree with me, but here’s why...
I have always had a fascination with the idea of personal identity. As a child, I gave a lot of thought (maybe too much) to my personal worldview and how I defined myself. I looked to others I could adopt as personal role models, incorporating their traits into my own...
In 2011, Teresa M. Amabile and Steven J. Kramer shared the results of an in-depth study in the Harvard Business Review entitled, “The Power of Small Wins.” They analyzed several thousand daily diary entries from 238 individuals to learn about their emotions,...
Today represents a couple events that might be called milestone moments. The most obvious one is Columbus Day. The other milestone moment is a little more personal. It’s my fortieth birthday. I don’t’ spend a lot of time talking about my birthdays, because I find that...
Facing fears can come in various sizes. There can be enormous fears, like getting out of toxic relationships because a fear of being alone outweighs the alternatives. And we can also be facing fears that some may consider silly, like spiders, clowns or traveling too...