Does your work “Spark Joy”?

On April 25, 2019

A last-minute opportunity to nab a couple of the long sold out tickets to Kenny Chesney came up. While not a close follower of his music, I thought—it’s a beautiful spring night, at a venue I haven’t been to before, and I know I’ll be totally refreshed by fan energy. Well, consider me a

What Do You Love About YOU?

On February 14, 2019

What do I love about me? That’s the question we were asked to envision for our morning yoga practice. As I laid there on the mat, with my arms wrapped around my torso like I’m giving myself a big hug (a great stretch to warm up the thoracic spine), not a darn thing came to

Who Wants to Shovel Snow? I Do! I Do!

On January 17, 2019

I had a great time shoveling snow this weekend! Bet that’s not what you expected me to say. I found it very calming and energizing. So much in our life is complex, unsolvable, unfinished. Shoveling snow; I could see immediate results. I knew when I was done (at least until the weather decided a few

Where Did Your Wings Take You?

On September 20, 2018

Jump, and you will find out how to unfold your wings as you fall. –Ray Bradbury, author I don’t really think of myself as a ‘jump off the cliff’ type, more a ‘calculated risk’ taker. I prefer to travel off the beaten path, yet I can’t see myself hacking a new trail through unexplored

Fix the Drip!

On August 23, 2018

I had become immune to the drip. For a while, the sprayer function on my kitchen faucet hasn’t worked. Then an annoying tiny spurt of water from the corner of the downspout. And then…water dripping down the neck and pooling at the base. I started keeping a rag near the counter, so I could wipe

Can You Be A DOER And SELF-AWARE At The Same Time?

On February 15, 2018

Another report from the coffee shop…Here I am, listening in again. It’s a popular spot, close quarters. You can’t help but overhear people’s conversations. Sometimes I pick up a nugget or two for leadership reflection. Like from the table next to me today. Two women, I gather from their conversation, co-owners of a small business,

The Gift Of Generosity

On December 21, 2017

I recently lost a very good friend to cancer, someone I had known for close to 40 years. My friend was a dynamic spirit who filled her life with adventures. At her celebration ceremony, many people from different interests in her life came forward to share the piece of Valerie that they knew. Her whitewater

On Target

On September 11, 2017

I recently got a lesson in archery from a good friend and former Marine, Mike. Doing anything for the first time is humbling. I watched Mike gracefully pull the bow and arrow up to ready position and smoothly fire this shot group. Then watched his wife Linda with a bit more deliberate but almost ballet-like

Get Real, Be Real—The Impact Of Authenticity

On July 27, 2017

“That’s who I am. They will just have to learn to deal with it.” That was the self-justification of a manager proclaiming her ‘authenticity’ and leaving a trail of employees reeling and ducking for cover. This person voiced whatever came to her mind, often with hurtful impact. That was ‘being real’ in her view. At

What Creates Confidence?

On March 1, 2016

Can you be confident if you are not also self-aware? I’ve been pondering that question since I spent a week working with transitioning military to help them establish a plan for their future. I experienced dozens of men and women with amazing stories of courage and resilience who have faced incredible adversities during their military careers…Yet they didn’t