In the past three years, kindness has become my ministry. It is my passion, and in my opinion, it’s the answer to every problem out there. Be kind.
I’ve recently met a woman who shares my passion for kindness, but instead of “Be kind,” her platform is “Give.” She is so passionate about giving that she wrote her own Public Service ... Read More
My birthday is coming up this week. On Wednesday, I’ll be 26. Again.
Birthdays are fun, but they don’t hold the same excitement for me that they did when I was a child. I remember wanting to invite as many kids as possible over to my house on my birthday in hopes of having a huge stash of presents to open.
Now, ... Read More
This is the hardest week of the year to write my column. An entire Holy Week culminates with the celebration of Easter.
It should be a piece of cake: Say something about the gift of salvation or tell a sweet story about how someone delivered chocolate bunnies to sick kids, right?
I either go Christian or non-Christian. Make a choice and start ... Read More
Editor’s note: Nicole Phillips will continue to write her column after she moves in May to Ohio with her family.
My family is about to go through a period of major upheaval.
My husband, as many of you know, is a basketball coach and most recently got to run all over the court in pure unbridled joy after the North Dakota State ... Read More
A few years ago, my friend John was driving his brand new minivan when someone barreled into him.
John’s first reaction was anger, but before he even let go of the steering wheel, something else took over: compassion.
Somehow, John knew the man in the truck who had just hit him was hurting. Emotionally hurting.
Instead of getting out of that shiny, now-dented, ... Read More
Well, I was wrong. The opportunity to be kind is everywhere. You just have to slow down enough to see it, hear it and seize it. And the reward is definitely worth the effort.
“Just as I was finishing my meal, an older gentleman came in. He was obviously a regular; the manager greeted him and asked how he was. The ... Read More
They say you shouldn’t borrow trouble from tomorrow, because today has enough worries of its own. I say you shouldn’t borrow trouble from tomorrow, because if trouble comes, so will an angel, who is just waiting for an opportunity to lend a helping hand.
I received two letters recently from people who got to witness the beauty of angels in action.
“I ... Read More
I have a sneaking suspicion winter is going to come back to Fargo-Moorhead this year. Hopefully, it won’t last until May like it did last year.
It’s OK to joke about the nine months of winter we get in North Dakota and Minnesota and how hearty we Norwegians are, but the truth is, for some people, the snow makes it very ... Read More
I recently realized I’ve been writing this column for almost exactly two years. I still remember standing on stage at The Avalon in downtown Fargo for the launch party of the new SheSays section. I felt so proud to be included in such a prominent group of female writers and more than a little overwhelmed and intimidated.
I was nervous writing ... Read More
Do you want to know what terrifies me? The thought of 350 children in a gym with me in charge.
That is exactly the scenario I was faced with a few weeks ago at Longfellow Elementary in Fargo.
The principal called and asked if I would be willing to speak at an all-school assembly on the importance of kindness. I was so ... Read More
