There's a quote from Shauna Niequest that goes like this: “We sometimes choose the most locked up, dark versions of the story, but what a good friend does is turn on the lights, open the window, and remind us that there are a whole lot of ways to tell the same story.” i know we … Continue reading How do i encourage others

i'm encouraged by the potential for change. People change their minds, change their habits, change their path.  For years in my job i've watched people change. Most of us don't like to change.  But given enough misery in our current situation and enough support for making it different, we can change.  There's tremendous hope in … Continue reading What encourages me

i would suggest you ignore advice that goes against your values or deeply held beliefs.  That's not to say you shouldn't be open to examining your values,and even deeply held beliefs can be open to change.  But ultimately if someone is telling you to do something that goes against your deepest sense of what's right, … Continue reading Advice to ignore

At first, i thought this was supposed to be my first memory of having a friend - like the first friend i remember having.  i'm kind of glad it's not that, since that would have been a really mundane story of climbing trees and sharing secrets as a child.  Sweet, but not very exciting. Instead, i … Continue reading My first memory of one friend

i want to try... finishing the things i start. Little things - making sure the last dish is in the washer, the pans washed and put away, the table and the counters wiped. The laundry washed, dried, and put away - the whole load, even the last pillowcase or wash cloth. Cooking all the food i buy - … Continue reading Something i want to try