A Reckoning at the Slimy Rock

On August 22, 2019

I don’t think I can do it. It’s too high. The rock is too slippery. “Here, give me your arm, I’ll pull you up.” No, I’m too heavy. You’ll pull your shoulder out. (…trying again for a foot hold on the slimy rock) I don’t think I can do this. (Sobbing) “Just give me your

I Hear the Birds Sing Again!

On June 6, 2019

Last week I moved to a new home, a new state, a new part of the country. My husband is working in a different capacity and from home. It’s a BIG change in my, and our, lives. My coaching and consulting work is the only consistency. Over the course of my 27-year military career I

Is it OK to Get Angry?

On September 6, 2018

I was so angry. Angrier than I can remember being in years. Something I thought was fixed, had unraveled again. It was important to me. And the person who I thought was taking care of it, wasn’t. This is not a feeling I’m used to, anger. I really try to approach things with an open

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

Sometimes, You Get What You Need…

On March 22, 2018

“You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need.” –The Rolling Stones, 1969 “I did it again. Tried to jam 20 pounds of ‘stuff*%*’ in a 10 pound bag.” As I looked at my upcoming week on Sunday night, I thought, “how

Is Our Stress Altering The Brain Cells Of Others?

On February 22, 2018

I was standing in line at my favorite coffee shop. The guy in front of me seemed to be having a bad start to his day. It’s not what he said, it’s how he said it. He ordered a coffee and croissant. “Ordered” being the operative word. Louder than necessary. Leaning with wide arms on

Can You Find A Gift In Everything You Do?

On December 19, 2016

We are what we focus on—a necessary reminder during the hectic holiday season. If I expect to find stress and overwhelm, it is right there front and center. Party invitations; gift buying, wrapping, and shipping; decorating; baking; plus the inevitable gotta-get-it -done-before-the-end-of-the-year business stuff. And out of town family arrives when??? I have finally cracked

Another Flag At Half-Mast

On July 12, 2016

The flags all around town are at half-mast….again. It was not too long ago that half-mast was an unusual phenomenon, reserved to honor the passing of presidents and other prominent officials. In recent months it has become sadly ubiquitous, a national sign of mourning for those precious and innocent lives taken by hateful violence. With

Here’s Looking At You, Kid

On April 6, 2016

Too bad we don’t have a Bogey (as in Humphrey Bogart in the movie Casablanca) sitting on our shoulder, reminding us to look at ourselves. Expanding our capacity to be the Observer of our own self is one of the first things I work on with leaders I coach. Why is being an Observer so

How Emotional Intelligence Can Help You In The Job Search

On March 19, 2014

The previous post (What’s emotions got to do with it? I’m looking for a job!) highlighted the first EQ element I find important to the job search phase of career transition. Today, I’ll share the other four. 2. Emotional Self-Awareness What it is: Understanding what you are feeling and why Why it is important now: For many