My Thoughts and Articles
You Are Loved
Each fall, my wife's non-profit organization hosts the Replanted Conference, which is an event designed to support adoptive and foster families. (It is awesome--if you are interested in going, click here for more information. It's not very expensive, and they have both in-person and simulcast options.) We have a lot ...
Focus on Real Life Most of the Time
A couple years ago, I started playing this game on the computer, and it was addicting. I remember one weekend, I spent a few hours on the computer without even thinking about it. Have you ever had that experience? Maybe it’s a TV series on Netflix that you’re into, and ...
It’s All About Trust
I remember a few summers ago, I visited some friends who lived in Western Michigan. One day, we went out to spend the day at the beach. One of the friends brought their dog, and I was amazed at how well behaved the dog was. The dog could be running ...
Don’t Confuse “No Progress” with “Slow Progress”
One of the biggest mistakes I see people make when trying to change something in their life is to confuse "no progress" with "slow progress". Here’s what I mean: Changing anything is difficult, whether it is quitting smoking, starting an exercise program, or improving your work habits. It isn’t easy ...
How to Plan Anything: 5 Key Steps
Many people I know have the following experience: They have a goal or project that they need to make progress on, but they just can’t seem to do it. Maybe they aren’t sure about the best way to tackle the project. Or, maybe they get bogged down in the details, ...
3 Steps to Make Relationship Differences Work For You
When couples struggle in their marriage or relationship, they often talk about their differences. Sometimes the differences have to do with personality (e.g., he’s too lazy, she’s too uptight). Other times the differences have to do with wanting different things (e.g., one spouse wants more connection and the other spouse ...