My Origin Poem

The Origin Poem This second origins exercise (as mentioned in my previous post on Cultural Bio) — a fill-in-the-blanks worksheet — took far longer to complete and required that I decide which memories really define me. ‘twas a mostly positive and joyful exercise. I’ve uploaded instructions here if you’d like to try it (Word file) Why bother? Sharing who you …

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Strategies for Personal Change

Who Are You, Really?

Who Are You, Really? First things first, so you stop wondering. Yes, the handsome lad on the left is me, age 7. My mom had to deal with eight kids, and I was NOT an easy child to raise. I’m pretty sure the only reason she did not act on her threat (“I swear I’m gonna sell you to the …

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Not Everyone Is Stressed

Not Everyone Is Stressed Right Now…Thank Goodness! We were supposed to take a cruise to Alaska in 2020… but pandemic. We rescheduled for May of 2021… and again, pandemic cancellation. We decided that if we were going to create a socially-distanced vacation, there’s no better place than Alaska, as the population density is quite low.** We traveled with masks and hand …

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Strategies for Personal Change

Will I Ever Feel Safe Again?

Chapter One: Hugs Imagine standing on a street corner wearing a t-shirt that reads “Free Hugs.” In 2019 it might have gotten you a few strange looks, probably a lot of return hugs, and possibly a touching viral YouTube video. In 2020 you might have been arrested. In mid-2021 you will still get strange looks, inquiries as to your vaccination …

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You Are Enough

IT’S NOT JUST YOU – IT’S ALL OF US! This blog is being published on Day 404 of the Pandemic. Yes, a year and six weeks since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global celebration of all things Virus, introducing us to a whole new vocabulary like, WFH, virtual socials (what used to be an oxymoron!), social distancing, and …

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Leadership and Workplace, Strategies for Personal Change

ACT HAPPY WEEK, DAY 5: WHAT’S THE ONE THING?

I. ACT HAPPY WEEK, DAY 5: WHAT’S THE ONE THING? In 2018 I was guest on the Leadership Hacks Podcast with my esteemed colleague, Jill Windelspecht, a fellow executive coach and organization consultant. Jill invited me to bring my best hack (shortcut/workaround) to the conversation, so I showed up with the most basic tool in my box: Breathing. You’ve heard me say it …

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Leadership and Workplace, Strategies for Personal Change

ACT HAPPY WEEK, DAY 4: I WROTE THIS FOR YOU

I. ACT HAPPY WEEK, DAY 4: I WROTE THIS FOR YOU I wrote this especially for you, because after the past year I know you need it: 75 happiness exercises that take anywhere from a minute to a lifetime. E-book requires a download. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ II. An Offer: Dance Differently with Stress and Confidence This is a reminder that I work with …

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Act Happy Week, Day 3: For What Are You Thankful Today?

Ten Gratitude Activities Here are practices used by me and others (or me) that I know work to strengthen your gratitude muscles, which are a pre-requisite to Happiness. Some are simple, some complex; some are high-tech, low-tech, visual, verbal, or physical. There is no ‘perfect’ practice, so create one that works for you. For more context and other ideas to …

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ACT HAPPY WEEK 2021, DAY 2: FROM JIM’S KITCHEN, HAPPINESS

I. ACT HAPPY WEEK, DAY 2: FROM JIM’S KITCHEN, HAPPINESS How do you feed your soul?  Do you grab pre-packaged Pleasure from the freezer, microwave it, and eat on the run; or do you cook up your Joy from scratch using organic, locally sourced ingredients? Perhaps you have a saucepan of Gratitude constantly simmering on a back burner? Or do you …

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ACT HAPPY WEEK 2021

ACT HAPPY WEEK, DAY 1: WHERE ARE YOU NOW? I’m always excited about the third week of March. Act Happy Week has been a thing since 2004, embracing International Day of Happiness on March 20. We SOOO need Act Happy Week this year, so I hope you’ll join me. Every day this week I will offer you a new tool or make a new offer to …

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