I’m not sure if it’s because I’m getting older, but my “worlds” seem to be colliding more frequently these days. I can’t tell you how many times I hear something like this: “Oh, I see from Facebook that you know so and so . . . how do you know them?” OR I get approached by someone who says,  “I hear we have a mutual friend.” I feel like the actor at the center of the famous (infamous) “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” networking exercise, except instead of six degrees of separation, it’s more … [Read more...]

There is a “movement” of sorts sweeping the nation, one that teaches the value of vulnerability. In that vein falls books about being authentic and living with intention. Authors such as Brene’ Brown are a huge part of this movement, and her books have really inspired me to “take my armor off” and be more vulnerable and authentic. Since I am a huge work-in-process, I am constantly trying to learn and improve myself. For example, I grabbed a new book the other day, The … [Read more...]

There is so much that I love about the photo attached to this blog post. Not only is it a photo of one of my best friends, but it’s also one of my daughter’s best friends. Cara took time out of her busy career to allow my daughter’s friend Daryn to come in and “shadow” her in the professional setting. Daryn will start education in Construction Management at the University of Northern Iowa in the fall of 2020. Since Cara works for the Sorella Group, which is a specialty contractor for interior … [Read more...]

A few years ago, an exchange student from Germany came to live with my family. She was great—very fun and smart. She’s since left and returned to her native country, but we’ve stayed in touch over the years. One thing that has always fascinated me was the fact that her family would “holiday” for weeks at a time during the summer. This model of “rest and relaxation” is so much different than it is in the United States. The culture in this country is if you aren’t in the office constantly … [Read more...]

I just finished the 39.3 Challenge here in Kansas City. What is that, you ask?  Well, it’s three half-marathons held over 10 weeks. It’s hard . . . and it hurts. If you read my blogs, you know that running is not a passion of mine, but more of a “necessary evil.” Without challenges like this one, I would not make the time to commit to a training program. I like goals and checklists, and these provide both for me. I was a sprinter in my “glory days.” I ran track in a time of zero data … [Read more...]

I recently got into an argument with one of my daughter’s softball coaches. Okay . . . maybe not an argument, but a “healthy debate.”   Our “debate” involved whether or not my daughter should invest time in the off-season to work on her batting. Now, I subscribe to the “don’t let them peak until they are 16” philosophy. As a result, I’m concerned about burnout for an 11-year old who is playing softball virtually year-round.   So my daughter’s coach looks at me and says very … [Read more...]