The first time I ever fired a person, I failed —in a spectacular way. I’d sensed for months that the working relationship wasn’t working out, but every time we got together, I resisted sharing constructive feedback. I resisted, month after month, until I...
I’ve been running for more than twenty years, though not consistently. Sometime in recent years, I decided that every mile a gift. Lately, running has been more difficult for me, and I’ve thought more deeply about the phrase, my running mantra:...
I’m training for my second marathon. The idea has been in my mind all summer but I didn’t commit until a few days ago. Before that, I was hedging, training for the marathon but reserving the possibility that I would switch to a half marathon distance race...
I woke to the sound of rain, steady and unrelenting. I love rain for sleeping, but I got out of bed at my usual time, walked downstairs, opened our sliding door to the cool air, and made a cup of coffee. While waiting for the brew, I stretched out on the couch in our...
I always get a bit panicked when the kids get out of school for the summer. School brings structure and routine, which I value, and our summer life does not include much structure. Sunday morning I met a new person at church, Michelle. Michelle works at a high level...
This summer’s working vacation happened in Florida at my parents’ new home. The girls and I both missed the lake house: swimming early and late in the warm water, hiding under the dock for shelter from the sun, and our annual boat ride to Subway for lunch....
