I Was Almost an Olympic Diver

The Olympics have started and I think it’s time I tell you something. I was almost an Olympic diver. And by almost, I mean, I once tried diving. And by tried, I mean I got on the board with the intention of making a dive. Here’s how it all went down: I was on the swim...

Hot Reads for Summer Nights

Ah, summer. Time to relax, lie on the hammock, sit at the beach, and read a book. That’s how it goes in my mind, anyway. Now, if I could just get it to play out that way in real life. Nonetheless, I do manage to sneak in a few minutes of reading before I turn out the...

In Case the Police Show Up

A few weeks ago, there was a story on the front page of our local small-town paper that grabbed my attention. It was actually a very sad story that I won’t go into but one particular paragraph stood out to me. Due to a suspected crime, the sheriff’s office had...

I Choose Kindness

Each of us is faced with thousands of choices every day that define our thoughts, our behavior, and who we are to the world. This fall’s Thrive Conference explores the idea that the choices we make hold power and provide opportunities that influence ourselves, others,...

No-Bake Cookie Bars

When we first moved into our house 37 years ago, a sweet 80-plus-year-old woman, Vivian, lived across the street. I spent many hours sitting in her front yard discussing life and made countless trips back and forth across the street to hang diapers on her clothesline....