When looking at our backyard you see lots of small holes passionately dug by two bored dogs. These holes were not made by sweet rabbits. The silver Standard poodle, Toulousse, and the chubby black Labradoodle, Louis, enthusiastically thought, “There must be treasure underneath, worms, treats and even a buried steak.” Walking in the yard is … Read more
Admittedly relocating work to a home office feels disorientating. No face-to-face meetings, few interactions and Social Distancing feels isolating more than we might have imagined. For some, the decimal level has drastically increased: Spring Break started early and kids are clamoring for attention. For others, time alone for two weeks or more in a studio … Read more
Watching a bird gently gliding way above you, noticing crimson and purple in an evening sky, bringing your partner a fresh cup of coffee, sharing a smile with a fellow human being…everyone wants to feel connected to something bigger. Yet, when we encounter unfamiliar cultures or walk into a meeting fraught with tension, uncertainty … Read more
Travel is disruptive. When we travel we intentionally disrupt our lives! In a foreign land we’re unaccustomed to cultural norm. Not in our own bed, sleep isn’t fit. Food is foreign to our bodies. In an unfamiliar place, we’re slightly on edge. Routines do not resemble daily lives. Thus, whether for business or pleasure trips, … Read more
Already in this New Year, we’re hyper-focused on a project, caught up in a massive “to do” list or just without energy for social situations. Yet opportunities for meaningful conversation are resplendent despite lifestyles. Nothing to talk about? Not true! In our spinning world, there’s so much to learn about one another. Lackluster feelings trap … Read more
Last week I showed up at the wrong party! My mistake led me to the Governor’s Mansion! Although beautifully decorated, as I wandered around the room, not far from shaking hands with Governor Hickenlooper, it became clear that none of the guests looked familiar. What party was this? My calendar had confused dates for the … Read more
Sometimes we go through tough times in a relationship made worse by bad things said between two people or not. We don’t like our manager, for example. Differences seem irreconcilable. There’s little dialog. Yet if reconciling feels right to us, it is possible to find a new beginning. In a working relationship we need to especially keep the … Read more
As much as we believe conversation connects us, sometimes our knowledge gets us in trouble! Let me explain! At a community table recently, a couple taught us about how they raised chickens, turkeys and rabbits on their property. We’ve since shared what we learned with others because the “home farming” conversation was interesting and a … Read more
“I don’t want to talk about this right now.” No other sentence stops conversation like this one. The recipient feels unheard. In response we retort: “I can’t move forward with my day (my project, my work, with going to sleep) without having a conversation NOW”. Are you someone who can wait? Most of us can’t. Perhaps … Read more
When recently travelling to Spain, my husband and I with marginal Spanish abilities and a little effort enjoyed interactions wherever we explored. Sometimes our efforts translated into a bowl of green olives “on the house”! Although starting a conversation required some extra energy, the rewards were worth it, even if just for the smile and … Read more