Ideas for a Better Life
The Stories We Tell Ourselves
Several years ago, I was telling a mentor about a conversation with a friend. In the conversation, my friend talked about how he was a sickly child. Only by the sheer grace of God did he become healthy enough to reach adulthood. I forget the details of the turning point in this friend's health situation,…
Read More11 Great Things to Do In a Down Economy
Make new connections. Invite someone interesting to coffee. Find a networking event that resonates with you. Create your own gathering. Get on Twitter. Strengthen old connections. Make a list of the people you enjoy. Send a note. Plan a date. Say a kind word. Improve yourself. Learn a new craft or language, using free resources…
Read MoreA Question that Matters for 2009
The great thing about de-cluttering is that I run across good stuff I had forgotten about. I recently found a hard copy of an article, on how the questions you ask shape who you are. The electronic version is titled On Loving the Questions (scroll down to the 2003 posting), written by Sam Keen, author,…
Read MoreRest and Renewal
I realized this week that work never seems to end if the laptop is open. A little meditation, a little yoga, and two fairy cards later (with titles of "Kick Up Your Heels" and "Peace of Mind,") led me to the following conclusion: I need to get off the grid. It's time for both renewing…
Read MoreHow Poetry Nourishes Me
Several years ago, I asked my niece, Joanna, who was in a graduate program for poetry, what appealed to her about this form of writing. She replied, "I like the density–how you can convey so much in so few words." Joanna now teaches at a midwestern university, while continuing to be a freelance writer. Recently,…
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