Lately, I’ve been wondering how many relational paper cuts we experience in our interactions. Paper cuts are the worst. They’re tiny. You can barely see them. Yet somehow, they hurt ten times more than they should. Lately, I’ve been wondering how many relational paper cuts we experience in our interactions. The little, ordinary moments: None … Read more
A guest book, a little cabin in Amish country, and a reminder that the places (and people and work) we remember most are the ones that hold our memories. Oh, if the walls could talk…. This weekend we headed to western Wisconsin for our annual family kayaking trip. Every year we rotate locations, and this … Read more
Maybe life doesn’t need a full vacation. Maybe it just needs one small side quest. Last week I wrote about liking things. And while there are certainly parts of life (lots of daily life) that aren’t exactly enjoyable, I’m becoming more convinced that liking things, enjoying things, and creating little moments worth looking forward to … Read more
Generic questions tend to produce generic answers. How are you? It’s one of the most common questions we ask. “How are you?” Most of the time, we don’t even think about it. It’s an automatic greeting. The responses are just as automatic. “I’m good.” “I’m fine.” “Busy.” “Same old, same old.” It’s a great way … Read more
I’ll share what’s on my radar for the second half of 2026, and then I’d love to hear what’s on yours. Believe it or not, we’re already halfway through 2026. Somehow, summer arrived, the calendar kept moving, and here we are staring at the second half of the year. Which naturally leads to one question… … Read more
The magic was never missing. We were just moving too fast to notice it. Lately, I’ve found myself watching videos about what some people are calling “The Great American Sleepover” as visitors from around the world arrive for the World Cup. I didn’t expect to enjoy them as much as I have. Some have made … Read more
There’s the professional voice (the one you answer the phone with or use during a presentation). The customer service voice… I used to have to call my dad at work, before there were cell phones, to ask if I could go to a friend’s house. And I would usually have to talk to someone else … Read more
The world will not collapse if I pause the to-do list for 30 minutes When life gives you lemons, you better make some lemonade! Leadership Lately, the world has felt a bit more sour than sweet. The economy feels heavy. Prices feel heavy. Kids’ schedules feel absolutely bonkers as the school year winds down. And … Read more
Repetition doesn’t just create habits. It creates routes. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about pathways. Not the kind made of concrete or gravel (even though the weather has started to turn nice and I’m walking on those paths more lately), but the ones we create in our minds and bodies through repetition. Because repetition … Read more
Which are you? There’s a phrase I heard recently that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about: People are either lids or launchers. The context was marriage. The idea that the person you marry either becomes a lid that restricts you, limits you, or slowly shrinks your world… or they become a launcher. Someone … Read more
