You may have a nice house, but someone might have a better house than you. They might brag or think they are better than you. Your friend might have more money than you too. Good for them, but don't brag. And if you have a nicer cave, share it. Don't show it off. Be nice.Continue reading "Wolf with a Better Cave"

Contrary to popular opinion, aha moments happen intentionally. They are not accidental. They are born by the relentless pursuit of an idea. They become possible by mastering habitual creativity. And yes, anybody can learn it. Even you. To excel at it, you must steep your mind in knowledge and information. As with tea leaves, theContinue reading "Steep Your Mind for Aha Moments"

We went against the grain for our daughter’s 10th birthday party. Normally, most birthday parties these days are held off-site in some controlled environment with boundaries. Kids’ creative energies aren’t permitted to be unleashed. They are cold parties, not warm and inviting. They're just a another checkbox. Birthday party, check. Back in the day, allContinue reading "I Cannot Transform if I Conform"

Friction is everywhere. If it wasn't, life would be easy. There'd be no resistance to anything you try to do. Choices would be a breeze. One type of friction is good. It's feedback telling you you're on the wrong path and should adjust course. Another type of friction is bad. It's a test trying toContinue reading "Friction. Choices, Choices?"

Do you fear anything? Do you fret about anything? Do you live by faith? I can honestly answer: no, no and yes. Can you? It took me 46 years to really understand what it meant to live life by faith. I'm 47 now. I thought I understood, but I didn't. That is, living secure inContinue reading "Fear. Fret. Faith."

It's a snowy winter morning, and you're commuting into town listening to the radio. The news reports that "Only essential government personnel need to report to work. All nonessential employees are to stay home." What goes through your mind? If you're like me, you say to yourself, "Well, if someone is nonessential, then why wouldContinue reading "You Are Essential"

What do you do with the small things in life? Do you handle them with care? Are you a good steward of them even when no one is looking? Do you think of them as incremental building blocks of the future? The answers to these questions reveal your character. Whoever can be trusted with veryContinue reading "Small Things"

People don't care what you know until they know that you care. You can be the smartest person in the room, but it doesn't matter until that opportunity to show genuine empathy. That moment to connect on a meaningful level. True connection that reveals your humanity, not some superficial Facebook-level connection. Such intuitive awareness ofContinue reading "Other Peoples’ Shoes"

Good ideas inspire. Bad ideas tempt. They coexist in your mind and battle daily for control. You get to choose which thoughts to dwell on. You always have a way out when tempted. It may be hard, painful or embarrassing, but it's there. To take this escape route, you need to see and follow theContinue reading "Inspiration and Temptation"

You might have a pet as a best friend. That's ok. Dog, cat, pig, frog and more. You love them and they love you, unconditionally. Spoil them, play with them a lot. You're responsible for them. It's amazing what they can do for your spirit. They're the best heart medicine in the world. They'll keepContinue reading "Man’s Best Friend"