Speaker. Storyteller. Coach.
This week, I lost complete control of my car. Driving from my house to visit a friend only two miles away in town, I rounded a bend on a flat and recently plowed road, driving the speed limit in the Self-Esteem Wagon, which was properly equipped with all-weather tires. Nevertheless, I hit a spot just right and begin to spin. And spin.
We call my car “the Self-Esteem Wagon.” In reality, it’s a 2002 Suzuki Grand Esteem, which is not a particularly popular car. We bought it used, sporting only 13,000 miles and an electric blue color that is way too bright for me. I have seen just one other Grand Esteem in the past five years and the owner of that car got so excited he honked his horn repeatedly as if we were old friends. My friend Howard Mansfield christened the car several years ago and the name stuck. When I make an appointment to get one of our family cars serviced, Sandy at Valley Automotive says, “Are you bringing in the Toyota or the Self-Esteem Wagon?” The running joke (or maybe it’s a theory) is that if you’re in a bad mood, just drive around in the Self-Esteem Wagon for a while and then you’ll feel really good about yourself. Works for me.
Mark Twain said, “The human race has only one really effective weapon and that is laughter.” These days, it can be hard to find the humor but if we look, it’s there, like when my aging Jack Russell walked across my perfectly varnished and still wet floor last week. [Read more…] about Our Most Effective Weapon
We’re all still reeling from last week’s tragedy. Christmas is in four days (and apparently the world didn’t end, which is good news), but whatever joy we might usually feel this year comes with a deep sadness. Even before the tragedy, my church planned to hold a special “Blue Christmas” service, since the holidays can be a difficult time for many. C.S. Lewis said that God is in silence and in music, and so I thought I’d share a song that has brought me much comfort. [Read more…] about A Song for the Moment
For the most part, I am fine using my flip phone. My basic communication needs are met. I can call and text people. People can call and text me. And I don’t mind when people spot my phone, roll their eyes, and mutter, “pitiful.” But I know I’m missing creative opportunities. I can’t take decent photos and videos. It would be a heck of a lot easier for me to tweet, which my agent is begging me to do, so I can build my audience. It’s time for me to bite the bullet and invest in a new phone. [Read more…] about The Last Flip Phone in America