Losing an uncle made me think about where we would be without our uncles? ____ Earlier this year my uncle Brian passed away. His death seemed to tap into an ocean of emotions for me. I cried harder than I did at my own father’s funeral. In the last 20 years we really were not … More The Men from U.N.C.L.E.s
I have a friend who loves to talk about his Junk and if you ask nicely, he’ll even show it to you. ___ Some people can turn their Junk into art. Not me. My Junk always ends up in piles next to my bed. I have a friend named Don who makes a living by driving … More Choose Yourself Lessons from a Junk Artist
Shoes can be profound. I found my purpose in a pair of shoes. ___ Your shoe is where your sole meets your soul. The shoe is where we get some of our greatest motivational insights: Walk your talk Where the rubber hits the road Walk a mile in another man’s shoes. The shoes make the man… or … More Your Portable Man-Cave
An adult child of divorce faces the facts that good did come out of it for him and his brother. ___ Mom and Dad, When I heard that you were getting a divorce, I cried. The pain seemed to ball up inside like an unexpressed fist. Even after 25 years, that season of our lives is … More Dear Divorced Parents, Could Divorce Make Your Kids Lives Better?
Change is fun sometimes and at other times it is a pain. My wife tells me that the only time I like change is when I initiate it. That’s not true. I like it when we change the channel and when we change the menu for dinner. I am mature enough that I don’t have … More What the Wizard of Oz can Teach us about Change
My family bought a camping trailer and it made me feel young again. It’s like your big brother is right behind you making awkward noises, staring at you in the mirror and ready to flatten you if you do something stupid. __ People say that they love having a trailer, it makes you feel more alive. … More 13 Things I Learned from Buying a Camping Trailer
Sean Swaby says Independence Day isn’t a date on the calendar. It’s an amazing, adventurous time of life. —— Forget July 4th. Being midlife is the real Independence Day. I am almost 49 and I have experienced all of what we are told that midlife is supposed to be: mid-life crisis, mid-crisis life, half way … More Midlife: Welcome to Your Independence Day!
Men face midlife crises; Women face menopause. Teenagers have their own crisis to deal with: Teenopause. Teenopause is most common in youth aged 12 – 20, however, some studies have found that Teenopause can last well into our 50’s. The symptoms of Teenopause: Dramatic mood swings Whining Craving Jube Jubes Isolating themselves in their rooms, while simultaneously demanding your … More Teenopause
I love my kids, but sometimes I can’t stand them. Some people are unable to have children and here I am whining about my frustrations about my kids? Yes, I am. Sometimes love means that we get really frustrated with each other, but that doesn’t mean we are quitting. I love being a dad and … More I Love my Kids, but Sometimes I Can’t Stand Them
One weekend, four people, one tent: Family camping. Do I need to say more? My family and I are reclaiming camping as a family activity. It’s a love-hate thing: Sticky-matted hair, camping breath, smoky-smelling armpits and feet that smell like outdoor bathrooms. I think you understand why we have taken a vacation from camping for … More Camping and the Stories that Make Us
Getting High on Recovery 