I have been thinking a lot about our human existence and the quiet ways many of us feel cut off from life. These aren’t dramatic breaks — not the kind a single event can explain — but slow separations: a tightening around the chest when someone smiles at us and we don’t know how to […]
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter—four words that map to the weather outside, but also to the arc of a human life. About twenty years ago I developed a simple process to explain the changing seasons of our lives, and since then I’ve used it with people at many mile markers: teenagers, young professionals, midlife leaders, retirees. […]
When you hear “soft skills do you automatically think “soft results”? Too many leaders still file emotional intelligence (EQ) and spiritual emotional intelligence (SEQ) under the “nice-to-have” column—pleasant, but peripheral. That mindset is a costly mistake. In a world driven by speed, complexity, and automation, EQ and SEQ are not optional extras; they are strategic […]
Good morning. I’m sorry I’ve been quiet for the past two months — I meant to be here, typing away, sharing thoughts and stories the way I usually do. But life had other plans. I went in for a routine medical test and, in one of those cruel ironies, my pancreas got mad. If you’re […]
I have had more than a few people ask me if I do spiritual direction (I do) and what is it if I do. So here is a blog to talk about just that. In the quiet moments of our lives, when the noise of the world fades away, we often find ourselves yearning for […]
Reflecting on my journey, I often liken life to a river—constantly flowing, sometimes calm, other times turbulent. This metaphor has been a guiding principle, helping me understand the twists and turns that have led me to where I am today. Just as a river encounters obstacles and changes course, our lives are filled with unexpected […]
When I first encountered the term “cracked open,” I was intrigued yet perplexed. Having immersed myself in the spiritual and coaching realms for many years, I had never come across this expression. Over time, I discovered that for many, it signifies a profound transformation—be it a deep revelation, intense pain, or an overwhelming experience of […]
I have taken the first Eddy Hopping post and expanded it for the series, so, life, much like navigating a river’s rapids, presents us with challenges that can seem overwhelming. In my journey, I found that applying the concept of “eddy hopping”—a kayaking technique—provided profound insights into overcoming personal obstacles. Read on for info with […]
In our ordinary everyday life, it’s easy to feel ensnared in a repetitive cycle: wake up, go to McDonalds, work, sleep, and repeat. This routine, while comforting, (most of the time) can sometimes leave us yearning for something more—a deeper sense of purpose, adventure, or fulfillment. This longing mirrors the essence of the Hero’s Journey, […]
It occurs to me that life is complicated. Yeah Jim, we know that, and as a start to the new year and where we set those pesky new year’s resolutions, it made sense to do a series on resting in the face of life’s rapids. As I stood at the edge of the river, the […]
