It’s me Chili Millie, here to spill the tea on Jan! As you might know, I’m literally a work of art (and some may say “a piece of work”). But seriously, I was created as a result of words and ideas, and so were you, more or less. This gives new meaning to the phrase […]
I’m a Work of Art, And so are YOU! Read More »
Chili Millie here. Let’s talk about the steps of your beautiful life story. I’m famous for calling youth: “the season of we don’t know what we don’t know.” We weren’t aware of the hop-scotch, step-by-step, connect the dots game that brings us from here to where we want to be. I’ve been thinking about this
How Did a Nice Person Like Me Get Here? Read More »
Tuesday, I’m attending a business luncheon where we will be asked to tell about an influential woman from our past. I’ve done this type of thing before, and yet not once did it occur to me to select my own mom—until this year. I LOVE what Deb Guy, Executive Director of the Women’s Exchange in
The Echo of Mom’s Voice Read More »
Dear Jan, Thanks for letting me speak today. After you read about the seven stages of a life by Shakespeare, I thought, Sheeeesh, that theory needs to be updated! And, as you know, I have a few thoughts of my own, and I’m not afraid to voice my opinions. In short, we keep “coming
“Coming of Age” Happens Seven Times – a Letter from Chili Millie Read More »
 Dear Santa, How are you? I am fine. I’ve been mostly good this year and so I’m pretty sure you’ll be coming to my house, although we don’t have a chimney. So I don’t know how you’re going to break into our house—but you seem to know how to do it every year. So I’ll
George Henry, photographer, author and community leader from Cedar Rapids, Iowa was selected as the subject of an interview for my servant-leadership class in the early 2000s. Just as classic stories never seem to age, neither does George, or his wisdom.  Enjoy. Interview with a Servant-Leader George Henry by Jan (Whalen) Roelofs George Henry’s life is
Servant-Leader Lessons from George Henry Read More »
This story is 5 years old, yet it rings true today! Cara STILL has her degree and her education, and still inspires others with her story. ********* A college degree is one of the best gifts you’ll ever give yourself. It’s deliciously something you do for you and only you. It can’t be transferred, stollen
Educational Achievements are FOREVER Applauded Read More »
There was once a person (just like you or me) standing on a hill in a land not very far away. Let’s call this person Chris. All of a sudden on this sunny day, Chris heard the grass rustle and out of nowhere, came a tiger. The tiger began to chase Chris. Of course the
Be Present for Your Life in 2021 Read More »
Happy stories are fun to think about and vital to tell. Using an ocean theme, I call them “Dolphin Stories.” If you’ve ever stood on the deck of a boat on the ocean when all of a sudden a pod of dolphins flank your path—you know how these magical creatures exude joy. When life gets
Count Your Dolphins—Your Happy Stories Read More »
