One of the amusing challenges in working with Emerging Adults is navigating how to sprinkle a dose of reality into their lives without destroying a professional dream. In one classroom assignment, students are expected to create a personal budget for a first-year employee with a bachelor’s degree for their aspiring career field. It’s fairly simple …
Whine or Worship
Next to the crinkling sound of a thin water bottle or witnessing someone being rude, a pet peeve of mine is hearing children (or adults for that matter) whine. It may be the high-pitched voice, or it may be the person’s disposition that makes me wince, but my initial reflex is to do just about …
Exemplar of Selflessness
After engaging in a conversation with my neighbor, Mike, the other day about his upcoming high school reunion, I was reminded of how fascinating group dynamics can be, especially considering that at the same time, I was reading Joan Ryan’s book Intangibles about team chemistry in sports. Whether discussing groups of school alumni, high-performing athletic …
5:1 Ratio
At this point on this pilgrimage to investigate what it means to have a flourishing life, I should no longer be astonished when concepts repeatedly appear from unconnected resources; however, I admit that once again while listening to a message on a church podcast while enjoying a cool, summer morning walk, a simple thought burst …
Emotional Adolescent
Perhaps, like me, when you see the term Emotional Adolescent, your mind conjures up memories of your own teenage years and how much turmoil seemed to exist on an hour-by-hour basis. In a small space of time, life goes from being abundant and flourishing to something more akin to Raging Seas. I’m grateful that my …
Come Clean
Does your body have a visceral response such as a gigantic lump in your throat when someone hesitantly utters the words, “I need to Come Clean with you!” Personally, my preference would be that those words were intended as an act of service which might result in removing dust from my furniture or soap scum …
Inner Scarlett
Do you ever long to release your Inner Scarlett? I’m almost certain that most people would reply in the affirmative if I were to provide an image of how I define an Inner Scarlett. Imagine if you will an absolutely perfect summer day in Palmer, Alaska where the sky is such a rich blue that …
Borrow a Map
On this pilgrimage to discover what it means to Truly Flourish and live a life of meaning, the traveling imagery has arisen often, and there are notes all over my reading any time a reference like Blindspots, Detours, and Dirty Windshields appear. However, this week may have been a Defining Moment when I began my …
Fillers and Dippers
Have you ever taken the time to reflect on the influence you have on those around you? To genuinely ask yourself if you are a Filler or a Dipper? When I was introduced to Don Clifton’s theory of the Dipper and the Bucket, what you might recognize as a strengths-based approach to life, it provided …
Truly Flourish
Attempting to settle on one definition for what it means to Truly Flourish at life is a bit of a challenge for a multitude of reasons. Research will have me travel down paths related to happiness one day and then life satisfaction and positive psychology on another, all with their own unique perspectives of what …
