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A political speech doesn’t have to be negative

One of the things I love about my Toastmasters club is how much I learn from the other members. During their speeches, I often find out more about subjects that are among my own interests and areas of expertise, because I am able to see another side of them, or a different perspective. I also learn more about occupations, hobbies, and beliefs that are totally different from mine. Another thing I love about our club – and the Toastmasters organization [...]

By |November 4th, 2016|Columns, Quotes and Sayings, Toastmasters, Values|

It’s time to clean up and clear out

We’ve reached the age and stage in our lives when it’s time to downsize, so my husband and I have been spending our time going through closets and cabinets, boxes and bins, and all the nooks and crannies where “stuff” resides and hides. It’s been an interesting endeavor. Sometimes I feel like I’m on a treasure hunt, especially when I come across something I lost track of years ago, wondering from time to time what ever happened to it. Other [...]

By |October 28th, 2016|Buried Treasure, Columns, Family, Organizing|

We can learn a lot from Camelot

“Camelot” has always been one of my all-time favorite musicals. I’ve probably seen it half a dozen times or so at various theatres over the years, so I was delighted when I heard it was coming back to the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. I attended last Saturday night’s performance, and loved every second of it – which I expected. I also expected to be singing and humming songs from the show for the next few days, and I was. It’s hard [...]

By |October 21st, 2016|Columns, Values|

What makes you happy?

“Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer, but wish we didn’t.” I don’t remember where I first read that quote, but it makes me smile whenever I think of it. I’m guessing it was meant as a light-hearted observation, but there’s probably more truth to it than we realize. What brought it to mind just recently is a book I am reading, entitled Resisting Happiness, by Matthew Kelly. Not that I consider myself unhappy, or [...]

By |October 14th, 2016|Accountability, Columns, Faith, Quotes and Sayings, Success|

An unusual weekend was a weekend well-spent

I spent last weekend in Glenwood, MN, with a fascinating group of people: the Ugandan Ambassador to the United Nations, my Uganda-born friends Tabitha and Magala, local dignitaries and business leaders, and our security detail. I’ve never been part of any group or activity requiring a security detail, and I was a bit intimidated at first. But it quickly became both comforting and reassuring to know they were there as we went about our business. Not that there was anything [...]

Pearls and close encounters can improve your life

In the coaching I do, I have my clients look for a “pearl of wisdom” in between each of our sessions. It can be a major “Aha!” moment that strikes with the force of a lightning bolt, or it can come as a gentle whisper bringing a quiet, yet profound, bit of knowledge or understanding. Either way, these “pearls” can fade away quickly if we don’t make a note of them. Or if we’re not paying attention and don’t even [...]

By |September 29th, 2016|Coaching, Columns, Faith|