Thoughts

Coffee Thoughts: Wave Diplomacy Every morning when I head out for my walk, I practice a small form of diplomacy. Not the kind conducted in government buildings or across long conference tables. Mine happens on sidewalks, along quiet neighborhood streets, and sometimes across freshly cut lawns. I call it wave diplomacy. As I walk through the neighborhood, I

This is very personal.   I am writing this as much for myself as I am for anyone reading it. The love and support after sharing the news of Teddy’s passing have been overwhelming in the most beautiful way. Many of you have said, “I understand.” Many of you have walked this path before. Now we are learning how

There was a time when being competent meant you could cook a meal, balance a checkbook, and fold laundry without crying. Today, competence means remembering your password. All of them. Preferably without triggering a security alert that politely informs you that you have “exceeded the number of attempts,” as though three guesses indicate a fundamental character

Some days, the world feels loud before we even pour the first cup of coffee. Headlines scroll. Opinions collide. The future feels uncertain in ways we cannot quite name. And yet. The coffee still steams.The kitchen still fills with morning light.The dogs still stretch and wait for breakfast. There is something quietly powerful about that. Lately, I have been thinking

There are seasons in life when it would be easier to go along with the current. To nod politely.To stay quiet.To tell ourselves that it is not worth the tension. Sometimes the world feels loud and discouraging. Sometimes leadership disappoints us. Sometimes institutions falter. Sometimes, even the people closest to us do not fully understand the weight

Three Invitations to Begin Again There are mornings when the coffee feels heavier than usual.Not because of the mug.Not because of the roast.But because of everything we have carried into it.In the original reflection for the Year of the Horse, three simple questions were offered. They were not dramatic. They were not loud. But they

Each year, millions of people across the world pause to celebrate what is often called the Chinese New Year, more formally known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival. It is one of the most important celebrations in countries such as China, Vietnam, and South Korea, as well as within communities worldwide. Unlike January 1

The beginning of 2026 has been catastrophic! My emotions are reflected in my writing.  I have written about the violence in Minnesota and the tragic murders of Renee Nicole Good, 37, and Alex Pretti, 37. I have written about the Monks Walking for Peace crossing 2300 miles of pavement with blistered feet and steady hearts. We watched