Inspiration, innovation, and hope for the world
There are some days – as I’m reading about the latest scandal, shooting spree, or stalemate in Washington, for instance – when I wonder if and how we as a nation and a society are going to survive. On days like this, I truly worry about the fate of our country and the world. There are other days when I see such exciting signs of promise and potential that it’s all I can do not to jump up and cheer [...]
Look for the treasure in others, and you’ll start finding more of your own
It’s been several years now since I started helping and encouraging people to find their buried treasure – the gifts, skills, talents and strengths they didn’t even realize they had. During that time, I’ve made a few interesting discoveries myself. One is that when you start looking for something and you do it consistently, it’s very likely that you’ll find it – and also that it will start finding you! Whether you’re searching for significance or looking for trouble, what [...]
Feed your soul to taste life at its best
“You’ve got to feed your soul.” This observation came from a neighbor I was talking to not long ago. He had just commented on a few of my recent columns, and asked about my work in Uganda. His company has sponsored some projects and programs in Africa, and we were talking about how satisfying and fulfilling it can be to take part in such activities. We also talked about how people can be drawn to different types of projects or [...]
Still going strong – and seeing great results
The stacks of books are gone from the end table next to the sofa. So are the magazines, mail, and other papers that used to live and grow on my kitchen counter. The desk in the kitchen is so empty and inviting that I actually sit down and work there. And several shelves, drawers, and cabinets in my home and office look like the “after” photo in a before-and-after makeover. Which, of course, is exactly what they are. My New [...]
A doctor’s question is something to cheer about
“Were you ever a dancer?” my doctor asked during my annual physical a few weeks ago. I was surprised – and flattered – by the question. “No,” I said. “But thanks for asking.” “A cheerleader?” he continued. That one made me laugh. I’ve never been particularly athletic or coordinated, and the closest I ever came to being a cheerleader was when I was in the marching band in high school. I wondered what made him ask about dancing and cheerleading, [...]
To Get the Best Start, Start Writing the End
“Write the ending.” That was the point I took away from a blog post I read recently, by a writer whose work I greatly admire. And it’s the type of advice I especially love – simple to understand, easy to do, and it helps me not only in my writing but in other work I’m doing, and in my life in general. In this particular post, the writer said she had just written the ending of the novel she’s been [...]