When people who want to write a book or start a blog come to me for advice, I always tell them the same thing: sit down.
Sit down at your computer or sit down with your favorite notebook, even when you have nothing to say.
Just sit down and wait.
I tell them to give themselves 15 minutes of quiet ... Read More
Does social isolation ever make you feel lonely? Me too.
We hear “we’re all in this together,” but when we’re walking out the day to day, it can feel like we are in this on our own.
I have been delighted by the stories I’ve gotten recently reminding me that people really are looking out for each other and that small acts ... Read More
I’ve been spending lots of time in the corn field lately.
Aberdeen is a unique community in the way town and country sort of blend into one. I live in a mature neighborhood next to a major cross street, yet two blocks away I have my corn field.
Well, it’s not MY cornfield. I’ve just sort of claimed it. It’s been ... Read More
Sometimes, when I’m feeling down, I sit very still and make a mental list of all the amazing acts of kindness that are happening not despite COVID-19, but because of it.
People are going out of their way to add color to the world. Just look at all the hearts in the windows!
Read More
Imagine a woman who runs an Instagram account about adding beauty to our homes.
She posts the most amazing photos of fresh-cut flowers on her counter, positioned just so to create a breezy elegance. The idea is to teach us how to create simple charm in our own kitchens.
She posts lovely Easter portraits of her perfectly coiffed children, not to brag, ... Read More
I saw a post recently from a teacher, reassuring parents that educators will indeed be able to catch kids up on curriculum once September comes.
It went on to say that what teachers need parents and guardians to do right now is help with social emotional learning. We need to talk with our children about their big feelings and continually remind ... Read More
Today, I’m going to do a very scary thing.
I am going to limit my 9 year old’s time on his electronic devices. Terrifying, right?
There will be step-by-step levels of trauma.
There is a beautiful unfolding of compassion and creativity happening in our world! I’ve been asking readers to share their coronavirus stories of kindness so we can all see the amazing outbreaks of goodness. Andy Smallman from Seattle wrote about having “Beer with Granddad.”
“The most important thing for my parents, ages 85 & 86, is family. Living in a retirement ... Read More
We have a big calendar on the wall of our kitchen. On a normal April, it is filled. Every single day has something written on it. Baseball games, track practices, Mom’s speaking events, Dad’s recruiting trips — every day is spoken for.
When school was cancelled in March, my youngest son, Ben, took a marker and crossed everything out and wrote ... Read More
Do you know what’s annoyingly contagious? Coronavirus. Do you know what’s delightfully contagious? Kindness.
I’m going to shift this column for a while so that instead of sharing general kindness stories, we can all celebrate the kindness that is happening specifically during this time of crisis.
I’ll need your help. I know you are seeing and doing acts of kindness in your ... Read More
