When was the last time you read the delightful children’s book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie? If you need a refresher or synopsis, the story revolves around the “what if” of giving a mouse a cookie, and the humorous consequences that just don’t stop, ultimately leaving the youthful main character exhausted on the floor. […]
[Continue reading...]The BEAGLE Theory of Life
Life’s lessons come to us in some unusual ways, but more often than not through rubbing up against those hard and unyielding sharp edges of the world. Such is the case with the B.E.A.G.L.E. Theory of Life. There was a pistol of a young man—Charlie Marston—who attended high school with my daughter. He had […]
[Continue reading...]12 secrets to deflecting life’s slings and arrows
What do ornery coworkers, angry children and irritable spouses have in common? You as the target. Well, at least it seems that way, especially when you feel like you could be part porcupine because of all the virtual arrows bristling from your back. However, in most cases, you really are not the target. What you just […]
[Continue reading...]What song are you singing today?
The opportunity of a lifetime has presented itself to you: Serving in a Japanese orphanage helping to care for the little ones as they await adoption. A delightful mix of cherubic faces, chubby fingers, and adorable coos laid over a foundation of love and sprinkled with the sweet scent of baby powder. What an […]
[Continue reading...]Mom & Dad-I want to be a Navy SEAL, Part 2
Welcome to the second half of my interview with a young man who has chosen to pursue a profession that might give most parents pause: becoming a member of an elite Navy Seal team. If you missed the first half, you can read it here. I invite you to read along again, imagining […]
[Continue reading...]Mom & Dad-I want to be a Navy SEAL
As a parent, you wonder what your child might be when they grow up: a doctor, a teacher, an athlete, perhaps. Whatever you envision, however, it probably doesn’t include dangerous professions such as law enforcement, demolitions, or emergency response. What if, though, your child sets their sights on the military and especially on […]
[Continue reading...]What Ricochet the Dog teaches us about parenting
Are you familiar with the story of Ricochet the Dog? She began “school” as a young pup so that when she grew up she would be a Service dog for an individual with disabilities. There are parallels between what happened during her training and what can transpire as you raise your children. You have […]
[Continue reading...]A parable of finite love
There once was a widow who believed each person had a finite amount of love to share. She had a son who adored her, who had moved in with her so she wouldn’t be alone. One day, when this caring man had passed his fortieth birthday, he met a woman who swept his heart away. […]
[Continue reading...]You are a Writer
“Kim, could I see you before you go, please?” my teacher requested, as I was packing up my books along with the rest of the class. We were just a few weeks into Critical Thinking, a required inaugural course. I was dipping my toes back into the beloved waters of learning, beginning college a […]
[Continue reading...]A bridge too far and a bar too high
Giving is something you love to do. You give of your time, your money, and yourself. This is a wonderful thing, as you love to bring joy to those you care about. Whether you realize it or not, every time you give, you set the bar and pay a price. This may go exactly as […]
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