Category: Purpose

  • 5 Things to Do When People Disappoint You

      We have all had days like yesterday was for me.  It felt like everywhere I turned, I learned about someone near-and-dear who had let me down.  The spectrum went from the extreme of betrayal—involving heart-deep issues—to a mild notion of carelessness on social media. As I reflect on Read more […]

  • Ignore the giant, step towards the beauty

    I just finished my daily wog (half walk, half jog) through the park.  On the homestretch, as I jogged past a garden springing fresh with colorful blossoms, a little girl, maybe three-years-old, stepped directly in front of me.  She was drawn to the beauty of the flowers, totally oblivious to this giant—nearly Read more […]

  • Do you ever just want to quit? (A Good Friday reflection)

    Do you ever just want to quit? I do.  Sometimes.  Not often. But sometimes I do. Today, Good Friday, I reflect on what it might mean to “quit” in the face of purpose, valuable sacrifice, and eternal changemaking. I believe that we have been given a great example which we are invited to humbly Read…

  • Springing Forward

    It’s one of my favorite times of the day.  It’s nearly 2am.  The streets and surroundings are still.  Lights twinkle from the neighboring buildings.  There’s a slight chill in the air. And there is silence. So much hype surrounds me virtually as social media reminds me that a change in Read more […]

  • The Free Spot: When “mine” becomes “ours”

    Two Christmases ago, my parents gave me a beautiful new desk chair for use when I am away from Uganda, and in San Diego working on my PhD.  (Mom’s always worried about my back pain, and Dad’s very generous.) As I assembled my new chair, I contemplated what to do with the old one.  I…

  • Fatigue and Disappointment: 7 reasons I am grateful they exist in my life

    12:09am.  I was asleep, blissfully asleep.  And then I awoke.  Not to a noise or to a phone call—but to the sense of a burden. A few minutes later, my phone rang with disturbing news.  Now one hour later, I have had multiple calls with colleagues in Uganda, and am aware of an emerging problem…

  • The Noise of Poverty; Understanding Its Power over Self & Other

    As I transition from the “West” to Uganda—yet again—I am anticipating the different sounds in the lifescape.  Some will welcome me, emoting joy and pleasure. Others will attack me in offensive ways, stirring negativity and frustration.  Others will be processed subconsciously—and yet will Read more […]

  • “The WD-40-Guy at Harvard” (An 80-second read on addressing distraction)

    I remember well my first day of grad school.  I was awake early.  It surprised me how concerned I suddenly was about what I should wear.  (“You should have thought of this before!” I kept telling myself.) I finally settled on jeans, a sweater and a scarf—which—it turned out—so did everybody Read more […]

  • 2 Famous Fear-Be-Gone Moments

    A look at two famous big-breaks, and the nervous people who stepped up to make them happen. I often hear people say things like, “Oh I could never do that.  I’d be too nervous.”  Or “I am too scared that I’d embarrass myself.”  I decided to do a little research to see how two people,…

  • “And I’m Glad I Did” (A three-minute read about hidden commitments—and a jump rope.)

    One day a few weeks ago, my trainer and I finished a session of boxing, and he invited me to sushi.  He’s quite savvy, and recognizes the intersection of leadership, psychology, and physical wellness—and he wanted to more formalize the consulting piece of our work together.  (I have been providing Read more […]