Dear Marie, There’s a book of my father’s that I often return to: Classical Rhetoric. It was one of the first books he used to teach a course by the same name more than 50 years ago. Heady, boring stuff, I guess. Aristotle and the art of persuasion. Syllogisms. Fallacies. Ad Hominem. I know exactly where that old book sits—right on the second shelf of my skinny black IKEA bookcase in the backroom. Even before I open Classical Rhetoric’s familiar blue cover with its well-worn spine, I can … [Read more...] about To: Marie Kondo aka Tidying Up Guru and Book Purger
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What’s Holding Your Stories Back?
After a loud outburst from my husband, I knew the Bears’ playoff game was over. Bill emerged from the basement in a combined state of shock and awe. The play-by-play of the final moment—when the Bears were down by one point and Cody Parkey hit the goal post resulting in a devastating loss and end of the Bears’ season—tumbled from his mouth. “But it was a great game,” he said. “The whole season has been unbelievable!!!” The next morning, still reeling, Bill headed off to York H. S., stood … [Read more...] about What’s Holding Your Stories Back?
The One Secret To Leading a Fulfilling Life
That’s my attempt at a group selfie. As an entrepreneur, I’m constantly bombarded with the advice that in order to increase my business I need to be on all the social media platforms: facebook, instagram, twitter, plus others that I don’t even know the names of. But with social media, I always feel like I’m swimming upstream as others in my industry are posting multiple times a day or as I observe the other-worldly nimbleness of my children’s dual thumbs (not one index finger) tapping out … [Read more...] about The One Secret To Leading a Fulfilling Life
How To Show Up As Yourself
Up until a year ago, I used to drive a little Honda Civic. It was a pretty economical car with cloth seats and basic amenities. I would bring my big dog Sylvie in that car a lot too, so I’m sure it smelled like—well, dog. All of that was fine until I would show up for a speaking engagement at a country club or fancy shmancy place and have to use valet parking. Drat, I thought. Why didn’t I vacuum out my car before I came—get rid of some of the dog hair—or at least spray some … [Read more...] about How To Show Up As Yourself
Life is a Story. We are its authors. What will your story be today?
I’ve been saving a particular bottle of wine for the perfect occasion. My dear friend Linda gave it to me two or three Christmases ago, might have been longer. The wine is called STORYTELLER. What a great name for a bottle of wine and so perfect for me. I loved it so much, treasured it really, and because I loved it so much I didn’t want to drink it. I kept thinking I would find just the right time to open it, so it’s been sitting in my little wine rack above my fridge accumulating … [Read more...] about Life is a Story. We are its authors. What will your story be today?