My brother Ralph is famous in our family. Born on the 4th of July, he’s a a “Yankee Doodle Dandy.†He was a teacher, counselor, and for just about 40 years, husband to Joyce. He is loved by many for his ideas. Joyce, is also a bit of a star to us—especially now that her life …
How to Honor a Star in Your Family: A Ralph Idea Read More »
I was so honored to have my article published in the March/April 2018 issue of The Desert Shamrock Magazine. Thank you for allowing me to share the article with you. Here is the full copy of the magazine just in case you want to read more from our local Celtic community… https://issuu.com/desertshamrock/docs/desert_shamrock_mar-apr_2018_e-maga
The granddaughter shines with sparkle, Reflecting my own girlhood. Together, we are pals, peers. I memorize her face because This day is only a moment. I take her into my heart. My spirit celebrates Her newness to the world. A mirror of decades gone by. Who will she be, in the end, When I’m …
Great art is creative and free, yet seven elements are present in each piece. At any age, your life is also a work of art, and in order to understand what that means, let’s look at it through the lens of these seven art elements. LINE A line is a narrow mark that is longer …
What picture do you get in your head when you hear the word VOICE? It’s a fascinating and multidimensional concept. Project Runway judges might say “I sense your voice in this collection.†This statement lets the aspiring designer know that what they just created represents their authentic aesthetic. It rings true, it’s recognizable, just like …
Dear Storyteller, We just got back from the Whalen family reunion. Talk about a literal cacophony of WHALEN VOICES! Hundreds of stories were told, and yet there’s one story nobody in the family seems to remember but me. Imagine growing up on a farm near Harmony, a southeastern Minnesota town of 1000 people. It’s fun …
Is the Story You Tell Yourself Weighing You Down? Read More »
Dear Wise One, When I was young, I didn’t think much about wisdom. But when I thought about wise people, I thought of an OLD person. Not just old, but male. But today I realize that wise people come in all ages, genders, and circumstances. I remember Carl Koch’s voice the day he gave our Servant Leadership …
Dear Brave Heart, These are interesting times, wouldn’t you say? Days can be challenging, uncertain and more than once in a week, we may find ourselves immobilized by an insurmountable problem—or so it seems. However, this isn’t our first rodeo. We are souls who know danger, yet step up. Courage is the force within us …
Dear Beauty, Have children’s books ever clarified your thinking? I love the ones where a lesson is skillfully embedded into a simple story. Today I’m thinking of the beloved book, The Blind Men and the Elephant. You may remember, these six men each touched one part of the elephant and were completely confident that their limited …
Self-Worth Lessons from the Blind Men and An Elephant Read More »
