Did you ever receive an unexpected message out of nowhere at just the right time? One that seemed to have been written just for you and that provided precisely what you needed? The email rocked my world. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about embracing ambiguity, which is the fact that two seemingly contradictory concepts…
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Instead of viewing ourselves as “damaged,” how about embracing our imperfections, confident that we are better than before? Once or twice a year, my friend Jessi and I catch up over coffee or tea. Now Jessi is a powerhouse. Her youthful enthusiasm and creativity never fail to boost my sprits, and I always learn something…
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It’s finally spring. Leaving the treadmill in the basement, I return to the countless pleasures of running outdoors. After meditating, the first thing I do in the morning is strap on my silver Asics and head out with the dog for a lap around Cedar Lake. The budding trees, the fresh air, the reflection of…
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When the going gets rough, how do you stay on track? Despite my resolve to reduce my TV screen-time, I got sucked into a reality show called Zumbo’s Just Desserts. Zumbo is Australia’s very own Willy Wonka. In the show, 12 amateur bakers compete for a $100,000 prize by baking their own creations, as well as…
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What’s your Favorite Inspirational Message? After six years in my bright, spacious office, I had received an offer I couldn’t refuse—to join the incredible group of people at Partners in Resilience. I was thrilled. The only downside was that I would be moving into a far smaller office space in their suite on the edge…
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It was my brother-in-law Bill’s turn to answer a compelling question, one that I hoped would trigger an insightful conversation: “Given your many interests and your difficult job as a clinical social worker, how do you stay aware and in the moment?” Bill chuckled, as he had asked me the same question a month or…
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“Given your many interests, Tom, is there some kind of common denominator, or common thread?” asked my brother-in-law. A mild flush rushed to my face and the corners of my mouth curled ever so slightly into a smile. The fact that Bill knows me so well yet continues to be interested in my thoughts and…
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My friend Dani is a passionate and talented actor. When a prestigious Scottish graduate school offered her a spot in their acting program, she was beyond thrilled. Trouble was, despite scholarships and working extra jobs, Dani didn’t have quite enough money to make the move abroad. Not to be deterred, however, she took a favorite…
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Late one recent Saturday night I made my way to Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport to pick up my 20-year-old son. He was returning from a week in Jamaica on a service-learning trip. There he helped build an addition onto an elementary school building, entertained schoolchildren during recess, and experienced his very first nightclub. I stood by…
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“What do you want to be when you grow up?” How often did you hear that question growing up? Well meaning as the questioners may have been, we know that what they really meant was, “What do you want to do?” Our culture places great emphasis on doing and working. Our very identity gets wrapped up…
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