During my childhood, I remember watching actors win Oscars during the Academy Awards. The next day, they would inevitably be interviewed and would mention how they could not remember their acceptance speech. I can clearly remember thinking: well, look who's acting now! I would officially like to apologize to all those Oscar recipients for my childhood self thinking you were full of it. I understand now... On Wednesday, November 9th, 2022, I was seated in a ballroom full of co

November 3, 2021 November 2, 2016 November 3, 2010 In the past 11 years, on those three dates and many more years before, 11 brilliant women were awarded the ATHENA Leadership Award (R) in Wausau WI. I have been honored to be a finalist on three occasions. While I have not been the award recipient, another phenomenal woman earned the distinction and I applaud each of them for her efforts to better our community. Their great work inspiring and leading the many. (BRAVO!!) For t

words... words... words... words... never-ceasing words.... Letters tumble thru my mind like Scrabble tiles whipped in a dice shaker... reaching for form... straining to become reality... daring to make sense. What words shall tie together H's brain today? Shall we have her pondering all night? Or will the words flow like molasses on a perfect Fall day? I am seated to write and the confabulation of language is on warp speed. Time to tap the brakes so my fingers can keep up. M

"Dreaming is a form of planning" ~ Glennon Doyle As a leader who teaches other leaders, I find it important to continuously learn and expand my own knowledge base. This goes a long way to insuring I have terrific resources and timely topics for my lessons and my students. Last week's teachings came from a two-day event called the #DreamSummit2021. This is my first year attending, and I was ecstatically blown away by the topics and the quality of the guest speakers. Hosted by

"Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow the yellow brick road!" - the Munchkins in Oz In 1900, L. Frank Baum authored a ground-breaking book, destined to become a literary classic. It was chock full of wondrous characters that captured the imagination, while filling the reader with new levels of self-confidence and daring. In the Wonderful Wizard of Oz (C) , Dorothy wandered with her mission along a magical, otherworldly path, meeting new friends, fighting enemies, and overco

"Every fire is the same size when it starts." There's a small thought itching in the back of my mind. I'll pay it no attention today. Life moves forward, as I tackle all of my to-dos. My daily chaos swirls into shape and molds itself into memories and life lessons. The to-do list is complete... I think. There was *something* I was going to do... There's a small thought itching in the back of my mind, begging to be granted oxygen. I shall ponder it briefly, bookmarking it for

"A woman shows the world: who she is; what she values; and what she believes." ~ Iyanla Vanzant How do you move through life? Are you being yourself? Truly, authentically you? Or are you showing the world a version of you that you believe everyone likes? "Harmony is your inner balance between life and your surroundings. Are you in sync with yourself? Or are your day-to-day actions grating against the vibrations of harmony within? Are you working against yourself? Meaning, are

"I believe in fairy tales - And dreamer's dreams - Like bedsheet sails - And I believe in Peter Pan And miracles, anything I can to get by - And fireflies..." ~ Faith Hill Friday night, I replenished my soul with the sweet refrains of music. Sharing a stage, a moment in time, and a microphone with a dear friend and fellow musician. My hips remembered the song before my tongue found the lyrics hiding in the recess of my mind. My subconscious had me swaying to the stage choreo

"If you can fail doing something you don't like, then why not dare to do something you love?" ~Jim Carrey 40 years ago - I said I wanted to be an author. 4 years ago - I said yes and taught my first leadership development class. 8 months ago - I put my dreams and plans on paper and set deadlines. 8 weeks ago - I published my first book and it became a best-seller. And in the last 16 days - I have been booked to present two keynote addresses. WOOT! WOOT! (That's me shouting fo