Blog | Page 8 | A Life of Character

You Have the Power to Ensure the Future of our Planet

Let’s step up and take responsibility for what comes next. The last five years have been the warmest on record, driving more than $1.4 trillion in damages, all caused by climate-related disasters.  We’ve built a society that relies on fossil fuels, prioritizes short-term gains over long-term impacts, and is constantly pursuing unrestrained growth. We consume

Beyond a “Positive” Attitude

We’re going all the way to Hope. Though I appreciate the sentiment, all the “good vibes only” chatter, memes, and t-shirts these days are getting me down. They are unrealistic, reductive, dismissive, and may unintentionally do more harm than good.  If there are only “good vibes” around you and you refuse to acknowledge the bad

Well Hello, Change…Fancy Meeting You Here

It’s time to not just accept change, but to ride that wave… “Life is Flux” — Heraclitus Or, as it’s often represented: the only constant is change. There’s no denying that life is a series of never-ending challenges and changes. And if you’ve been around long enough, it may seem like life mischievously singles you

Got Gratitude?

Go on, fill your cup.  “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”  –Ferris Bueller What you’re about to read requires you to slow down, maybe even come to a complete stop, and focus for a few minutes. Seriously, give it a try. Just

It’s Cool to be Kind (To Yourself)

Happiness starts by being kind to one very important person: you. I was chatting with a friend of mine recently about his newfound sobriety after nearly 40 years of alcohol abuse. When talking about the journey I asked him, “What finally inspired you to make this life change?” “Well, I was slowly killing myself,” he

I Thought Yoda Was A Jerk

Yoda in the Swamp

After the famous scene in the swamp, I thought Yoda was a jerk. When The Empire Strikes Back came out forty years ago, I was so excited to see it. I was not a rabid Star Wars fan, but I was a pretty enthusiastic 4th grader. Everything about the second movie in the Star Wars

The Illusion of Work-Life Balance

Creating the lives we want can feel like a giant slog and struggle. Our goals, tasks, obligations, and aspirations all compete for our attention. Then add the goals and needs of others, and it is a miracle our brains can organize our lives into any workable plan from day to day. The idea that we

Who Are Your Heroes?

We Can Be Heroes Just For One Day

Who are the people you most admire? Stop for a moment and list the top ten. What do they have in common? (The first commonality is you – because it’s your list.) Write down what about each of them appeals to you. Then look at that list for themes. What traits do they share? Financial