I recently heard a story about a monkey trap. A very simple way hunters used to catch monkeys. They would put rice inside a small box with a narrow opening—just big enough for a monkey’s hand to slide through. The monkey would smell the rice, reach inside, and grab a fistful. Once the monkey closed its hand around the rice, its fist became too large to pull back through the hole. The monkey was not stuck. The box wasn’t locked. Nothing was actually trapping it. All it had to

Listen on Spotify! Majority of the time, when things go wrong, it’s because my focus is off. I grew up in a world that was structured to believe that multitasking and doing a whole bunch of things is the way to get the results you want. You may think this is the way to get lots done too… Recently, I’ve been reading a book called: The One Thing, by Gary Keller. It’s a genius idea he realized by watching the movie, City Slickers. It was a line from Curly that said you need to f

It’s -8 (-27 wind chill) and I’m going…to an ice race. Ha! I bet most of you thought skiing… (that’s after) 🤣 I know both are crazy. To me, both are examples of love… in action. I could stay home today. No one would fault me for it. Frankly, no one would question it. It’s freaking COLD! But staying home, to me, is love as a noun. Showing up for two things I love (my friends and skiing) is love as a verb… let me explain: Love as a noun is something you have or feel — a label,

It started about four years ago during a season when I was driving often to La Crosse, WI. Along the route was a beautiful dead tree-majestic, like a pillar; and it was striking to me. I named it my favorite tree. At the same time my youngest, Rowan was 14. I was driving him to the Ski hill every weekend, multiple times. Along our route was another gorgeous, majestic tree. The tree in the picture below. Rowan named it: his tree. Recently, either due to wind, or the fact that

Some of us woke up alone. This morning might be your first Christmas where you’re divorced, or single, or had to wake up after losing someone you love. If today you’re in unknown territory, here’s the answer. Stop. Sit down, close your eyes and do this: think of whatever you think is missing and give it to yourself. When you’re falling apart, it’s because your focus is outward. Focusing outward keeps you in an emotional fog because you’re attached to the thing you don’t have.

Have you ever thought about what your life means to you? Actually stopped and thought: who am I? What am I here for? What makes me happy? I just took a trip to Colorado to ski alone. One week. Just me. I almost missed it by letting the unknowns talk me out of it. Instead, I opened my computer, chose the condo I wanted, and hit “reserve.” I picked the condo I felt excited about. It was steps to the Gondola at the base of Keystone Ski Reaort. No partner. No back up plan. No one