A few years ago I read a headline that said simply, “Everything is spinning out of control.” That kind of sums it up, doesn’t it? Hate crimes and random shootings, churches on fire, culture wars that suck no matter which …
Creating Culture
Jeff Bezos (pictured) started Amazon.com with nothing—he quit his job in New York, wrote a business plan for Amazon on the drive west, and rented office space in one of Seattle’s worst neighborhoods. His first desk was a wooden door …
#LettersfromPortland
This week I’m on a short vacation to Portland with my friend Bree. We’re staying at the Ace Hotel, which has all the requirements necessary to be considered appropriately Portland cool: a turntable playing real vinyl, in-house Stumptown coffee, Sega …
Planting for the Future
In his book Good Strategy/Bad Strategy, Richard Rumelt says, “Current plenty is the harvest of planting seasons long past.” Last week I planted my garden. At first this is not very rewarding. Right now I have a few puny little …
6 Things That Might Be Better than Therapy
I am a big fan of therapy. Most of us, at some point in our life, could benefit from talking through our dysfunctions and damaged places with someone who is both insightful and objective. (Yes, you are damaged and yes, …
Mad Men and the Myth of Overnight Success
I am going to be devastated when Mad Men goes off the air this Sunday. I have watched every episode, some more than once. I have watched AMC’s inane videos on costuming the cast. I have binged on DVD extras. …
Share Your Story
One of the reasons I so happily agreed to be part of the Rebel Storytellers team is I believe stories have incredible power, and I want to be part of efforts to use that power for good. Since the events …
Thirty WHAT???
A few years ago, I made a list of things to do before I turned 40. Of the fifteen things on the list, I’ve done exactly three, and I’ve actually done the opposite of “not be in the car when …
On the Move
I have moved a lot, and when I say a lot I mean seven times in 14 years. Here is a reflection on move #5, on the blessing of good friends who rose to the occasion, and on the excitement of life’s …
It’s The Week After Easter, So Now What?
It’s the week after Easter. Now what? I’m getting a Master’s degree in religion on the one-class-at-a-time plan (expected graduation date: before I die) and in the biblical studies class I’m taking right now we’re studying the gospels. The reading …