Smaller Common Goods
Until recently, the concept of the common good was always something that mystified me. I often heard that it was something governments should aim at, but whenever I asked for an explanation of what exactly the common good was, the only two examples I received were peace and truth.
You Are a King
During this season of Advent, we await the arrival of Jesus. Although he came as an infant, he was and is the King of Kings.
The Principle of Proximity
Last year, I heard the COO of a tech-company give a talk on IT Careers. Along with general changes in the industry, he discussed a few of his company’s particular cultural norms.
What’s Your Micro-Vision?
How do you teach a toddler to set the table? In a recent address at the ARC Conference, Jordan Peterson tells the story of how he trained his 18-month-old son to do this very thing.
When I Accept That Life Is Difficult, It’s Easier
When we resist the difficulty present in a work, that inner war is often more emotionally exhausting than when we simply accept it.
Creative Stewardship
Everything we have is given. We are called to be co-creators with God. And these two things seem to be in tension: How can we be creators if the tapestry of our lives is already given?
Response-Ability
Reaction vs. response—what’s the difference? Here’s one way to look at it: reacting is passive and automatic whereas responding is active and deliberate.
“Multitasking Is a Myth.”
Last week, I tried something I almost never do. I tried answering emails while listening to a podcast.
What’s Your Magic?
Without the backstory, extraordinary results seem magical. They give the illusion of ease, the appearance of having magnificently poofed into existence.
@action, @waitingfor
If you’re like me, then managing email is a challenge. Productivity expert David Allen recommends the following backbone for managing email: create one folder labeled “@action” and one labeled “@waitingfor.”
Anchored to Your Center
One of the core principles of the ancient martial art of Aikido is Nen, loosely translated as “one-point.” If the center of a warrior’s body is anchored to the ground through a solid fighting stance, it is very difficult to knock him over.
Conversations as Clues
“The conversation is the relationship.” You might define a relationship differently, but in her book, Fierce Conversations, Susan Scott proposes that the essence of our relationships are the conversations we have.
God’s Gift of Eternal Gratitude
In his work, On Christian Doctrine, St. Augustine says that although God could sanctify each individual directly without any intermediate causes, he prefers to use human instruments to work out our salvation. If we end up in heaven, our priests, friends, and families are real causes of our being there.
Who You Know
It’s a great mystery; who you become is inextricably linked to who you know. How your life unfolds is greatly influenced by the people you are connected with.
Sculpting in Time
Clay is a neutral medium—a three dimensional blank canvas. The amount of clay a sculptor uses and where he places it determines the beauty of the sculpture he creates.
What’s Your Weakest Link?
The last two letters were based on David Allen’s book Getting Things Done. As promised, here are the basic parts of his system.
Your New Fly Swatter
Small, pesky tasks emerge throughout the day. A reminder pops up that you have a bill to pay. You get another email. Someone texts you to schedule a meeting.
How Good Is Your Net?
A thought pops into your head. You think, “Perhaps I should order that book my friend told me about.” When this sort of thing happens to you, what do you do about it? Do you let the thought flit away into the ether? Or do you capture it and write it down?
Pressure Is A Privilege
“Pressure is a privilege.” This famous quote by Billie Jean King seemed to be the theme of Wimbledon this year. It came up so frequently that my husband even used it in his toast at our daughter’s wedding in July. The idea is this: when we feel pressure, it’s because what we are doing has meaning.
How Arrogant of You
“Do you think other people are better than you?” This was the question executive coach Chris North asked a participant during a workshop for the Meta Performance Institute. The person being asked replied, “Yes.” Shocking all of us, Chris responded, “How arrogant of you.”