Category: Be Brave

What’s on your mind? Are you excited about the possibilities of this new year? Or are you feeling like you need fewer problems and more solutions?

I’ll be honest, I spent a good part of Christmas break seeing the world’s problems and trying (unsuccessfully) to be the solution.

The harder I tried to be the answer, the trickier the questions ... Read More


For everything there is a season.

I’m saying goodbye to my dear friend, Tom, today. Tom was 86 and had cancer and a whole host of other health problems, yet I was shocked to learn he was gone.

He lived a good, full life and I know what he is seeing now is too magnificent for words. If he used ... Read More


Some days a girl just doesn’t want to get out of bed. That was me Thursday and Friday and Saturday and Sunday. Luckily it’s Monday and the world seems a bit more bearable.

I am a big believer in doing acts of kindness to get myself out of a funk, so I dug deep in my grey wallet and my ... Read More


I never thought it would happen. Christmas pictures with Santa back where it all began!

Fifteen years ago, we were living in Fargo, ND with just one baby. Our daughter Jordan was 10 months old. It was her first time meeting Santa and she found him at West Acres Mall.

The following year, she brought along her newborn baby brother, ... Read More


I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to be Mister Rogers when I grow up.

I still have his mug on my desk and his picture on my wall, along with King Friday and Daniel Tiger.

I still share the core values he lived.

I still long to grow stronger in the things he was so naturally good at like humility, gentleness and ... Read More


I was lying next to my teenage daughter last night talking about life. We chatted about moving and finding new friend groups and how some high schoolers are really kind— and how others are not.

“Someday their mirrors will become windows, Mom.” she finally said. Her comment floored me. She wrapped up everything I try to teach about kindness in ... Read More


It’s time to set your VCRs! Kindness is heading to LA, Baby!

I have my outfits all picked out, now if I can only get my mouth to cooperate with my mind. I’m in Los Angeles for two TV appearances this week.

On Tuesday, Nov. 12th, I’ll be on the Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family show (9am Central/10 Eastern) and then that ... Read More


Did you know Outback Steakhouse has a gluten-free brownie they serve with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream covered with hot chocolate sauce, whipped cream and slices of deep rich chocolate?

The closest to Aberdeen is three hours away, so when I saw one next to my hotel last night, I was totally in.

Actually I was out. Meaning I ... Read More


I’m pretty sure my new neighbors think I’m crazy. We had a nice weekend by South Dakota standards so I decided it would be a great time to put up Christmas lights. You know, just get them set up so we’re ready to turn them on in a month or two.

The first clue I was up to something suspicious ... Read More


I read something the other night that was darn near perfect. A women named Roxan took everything I’ve ever felt about kindness and put it onto electronic paper. It’s the yummiest thing I’ve read about kindness in a long time and I wish wish wish I’d have written it myself. I don’t know Roxan, but a lot of people do. ... Read More