The Fun/Work Balance
“A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labor and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which, he simply pursues his vision of excellence through...
Conflict is Good
I find myself surrounded by people who fear conflict and who lack the confidence and tools to engage the normal, day-to-day bumps and bruises with ease. For most of my life I would have included myself in this group. No one in my family was a role model for setting...
Good Coaching
Everyone can be a good coach. Everyone can benefit from a good coach. “If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.” — Fred Devito A person close to me is in transition and at loose ends. They have entered that period of life known as...
The Most Difficult Vision
“”Be brave enough to live the life of your dreams according to your vision and purpose instead of the expectations and opinions of others.”—- Roy T. Bennett “The Light in the Heart” I have always understood and believed in the power of...
The Impact of Gratitude
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought,and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” —Gilbert K. Chesterton Several years ago, a client and dear friend (thank you, Nancy Silverman) gave me The Five-Minute Journal. It was simple,...
Plan, Prepare, Be Present
“Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.” I accept and often repeat adages like:• Life isn’t always easy or even fair.• It isn’t living unless there are ups and downs, and highs and lows.That’s me being real while also being the eternal optimist. I...
Signs and Secrets
“The most successful detectives owe their success to noticing small signs. Scouts are natural detectives and never let the smallest detail escape them. These small things are called by Scouts Signs.” — Robert...
Everything in Life is a Transition
“Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It’s the transition that’s troublesome.” – Isaac Asimov I love helping facilitate individuals, groups and organizations through transitions. In recent years I had the great privilege of participating...
Some of My Best Teachers
“If what you want lies buried dig until you find it. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.” — UnknownThe dog days of summer have passed. Is October and I recognize this month as very special. My constant...
Lighthouse Leadership
“Sometimes, amidst of all the wars,
All you need to become is
The lighthouse not the sword.”
— Akshay Vasuor
Lessons Learned from Knitting
Before bedtime, I sat with my mother watching TV and finished my first-ever knitted scarf. Last year a friend and I took knitting lesson.I love the wool and the colors and the aspiration of a final product. But I was humbled by the task. Learning to knit is a great metaphor for learning anything.
Moving Forward
We are moving. Moving forward. Moving ahead. Moving. Because the only constant in life is change. My career as a consultant consists of facilitation, navigation, and change. I’ve gone so far as to make change fun. But as I advanced toward my 30th year of...
Betsi | The Final Chapter is Written
What a privilege it has been to be at the side of the person who guided me into this world. And who is now making her way out of our world into another. What a privilege it has been to be her champion and advocate, to have fiercely guarded and guided her and...
Don’t Let Taking Sides Take You Over
The internet, like no other force before, can bring like-minded people together while it drives other-minded people apart. With it, we have the ability to seek out those who agree with us, who think like we do. That reinforces our position but at the same time reinforces sides.
Marshmallow Motivation
Enjoy what you do and do what you enjoy. Write down as many times as you can when you have enjoyed your way to success. How could you have modified those times when joyless effort did not produce the results you wanted?
The Dog Days of October
The Dog Days of October take on a new and specific meaning in the Yerkes household. Five years ago my first canine companion, Buddah Bear, was born and came to live with me. His presence in my home and in my life brought huge changes, enriching each day and teaching...
The Gardener’s Touch
Persistence is the key to success. But persistence by itself will not move things forward unless it is balanced by Patience. Persistence is energy. The energy that moves things. Patience is wisdom. The wisdom that determines the direction our persistence will take us....
Camp Betsi | Chapter 2
Universal Wisdom Shared is a Gift Life is Richer with a Little Help From my Friends With two weeks behind us and many summer days ahead it is times like these that you really discover that you are not alone and that there are helping hands everywhere. The stories that...
Camp Betsi | Chapter 1
Dear Diary, This will most likely be the summer I will always remember. Mom has survived her near death experience and is at the end of her journey. I don’t know how many days are left in the season. Days to discover more about each other, days to forgive and...
Bullying | Part 3
Is this just my own personal experience or do you see it too? My previous blogs on bullying have stirred up many conversations and reflections. I perceive bullying by adults to be on the rise. I am witnessing overt bullying in the workplace in many of the...
Bullying Part 2
“If you can’t change the situation, change yourself.” PART TWO Bullying may be common and a common part of living but it is never good. Bullying hurts people – physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Bullying may even scar for life....
Is Bullying on the Rise? | Bullying Part 1
One of the ways in which people try to effect change is through bullying. The act of bullying can be physical, emotional, psychological, or sexual. There are three aspects of bullying: being the bully, being bullied, stopping bullying when you see it. I have been...
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