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Truth be told, I believe people to be inherently wonderful. The human design contains a light of wonderfulness.

Do you ever just not know what to say? Caring about what words to use may be a sign of compassion and…

When you disagree with suggestions about how to fix something, how do you typically respond? Are you open to considering what the person is…

When do you most feel connected with someone? What happens in that moment?  Whether talking with a friend,…

What does it mean to exercise freedom of thought?  Am I really free to think as I choose?…

What does respect look like? How does it impact dialogue in the workplace?    If Chris, the company owner, issues a directive that many believe…

What happens when someone says you are wrong or bad? Does it bring a greater sense of connection or…

What do you do when someone “crosses the line”? Do you match the behavior, name it, or walk away?…

Are you comfortable speaking your truth? Under what circumstances and with whom?  It sometimes feels uncomfortable to share…

“What we can learn from the justices, though — beyond how to be a friend — is how to welcome debate and differences. Not for a moment did one think the other should be condemned or ostracized. More than that, they believed that what they were doing — arriving at their own opinions thoughtfully and advancing them vigorously — was essential to the national good.”

Have you ever appreciated someone else’s different skills? To function as a civilized society, we need people to have and share their different gifts and…

In recent weeks and coming days, school across the United States reopen unlike any other school year. Administrators…

Most mediations involve two people who bring their perspectives. Based on where each person stands, their story is the truth. However, in any situation, particularly when emotions are high, it may be a challenge for the people involved to see the full picture.

When it comes to talks between parents who no longer live together, words impact more than the adults….

As a divorce mediator, I regularly meet couples who disagree about selling the house, dividing the retirement accounts,…

Ever experience that someone “really gets me” or “understands where I am coming from” feeling? That feeling may be a…

What do you do when you do not like someone’s answer? Or the answer seems unclear? Remembering these five…

As a friend shared about another’s recent error in judgment, I found myself reacting. As she told how the person involved should…

Very few vehicles pull into my driveway these days, so when a man stepped out of large truck…

How often do your pay attention to your own needs? Are you listening for other people’s needs? As an…

Have you ever consumed yourself with a work project when you felt sad? Or turned to something sweet or…

A college friend would say that I was my worst me while watching Packer football. Living in Minnesota,…

Last week, my brother and I enjoyed our traditional bike trip to Tip Top Dairy in Osakis, Minnesota. As the sun rays increased the thermometer to 93,…

Are you living a life you think you should, or a life you love? What does living your dream life…

If you enjoy the gift of sight, do you notice skin color? What does it mean to notice…

Are you comfortable talking about pain? Why is that? Is it helplessness, insensitivity, or something else? Humans tend to completely avoid…

Ever consider who or what shapes your beliefs? Curious about anyone else’s? People hold strong opinions on a wide…

What kinds of tools do you have to make life easier? Do you have a good set of…

Ever receive a call or text from someone you have just been thinking about? Or enjoy a smile…

Do have ever experience a moment, and give it a whole lot more meaning than it calls for?…

As a little girl, I liked to run with the boys, namely my three older brothers. I liked…

Have you ever thought, “she does not know what she is talking about” or “he could not be…

I once attended a funeral where the priest read an obituary that did not acknowledge two of the…

Who likes to feel happy? Me! Anyone like to feel sad? What fun is that? Avoiding sadness seems…

Know anyone who tends to be late? Do you start thinking, “how rude and disrespectful,” wonder “what’s going…

Where are you in this experience? While I have not been to my office for eleven days, I…

Growing up in rural Wisconsin, I knew and trusted that neighbors looked out for each other. We considered…

As we face an unprecedented situation with coronavirus (COVID-19), I hear “should” frequently. I have never really be…

Whether it is children quarreling about who gets to play with a toy, or adults arguing over who…

With fifty-five parts scattered about, a screwdriver in hand, and a set of directions, I recently sought to…

Has anyone ever misunderstood something you said? Have you ever mistaken someone else’s intentions? Why or how does…

My ideal approach to mediation combines curiosity and compassion by understanding a person’s thoughts about the situation, where…

You don’t have to take that, or anything from anybody. But what does “not taking that” look like?…

When framing a question to a colleague recently, I characterized something as a “story.” He responded that it…

Whether a marriage, friendship, or working relationship, I hear time and again from people who stop feeling connected…

A young woman’s husband promised to buy her a brand new bedroom suite. To her, the furniture symbolized…

How often do you respond with “I’m fine” or “good” while your mind and body says otherwise? Even…

How do you respond when someone calls to do a survey? Often times, I tell the caller it…

Have you seen, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood?” The consummate gentle grace-filled man, Mr. Rogers (Tom Hanks),…

Do you have a person who speaks truth to you? Is that person also someone you trust? Does…

Have you ever encountered someone who just did not seem to be the right fit for the job?…

How do you approach or confront conflict? Humans sometimes avoid acknowledging that any disagreement or dispute exists out…

Do you ever see something differently than someone else? Are you in a situation where you disagree with…

Have you ever wondered how someone could behave so unreasonably? What is the person really seeking? If you…

During domestic violence awareness month, it is common to talk about the myriad of reasons victims stay in…

If your business or organization suddenly finds itself without a key team member, who will take responsibility? Many…

Have you ever complained about a person, group, or business? Or heard through the grapevine that another spoke…

What stops us from asking for help?  For me, it may be a combination of pride, stubbornness, and…

In my grandma’s kitchen hung a picture of a grazing cow with the words:                Be Careful Of The…

Have you ever said “yes” to something and regretted it five minutes, five days, or even five years…

Working the same land as your grandparents and great-grandparents brings both a tremendous sense of pride and responsibility….

Have you ever felt frustrated when talking with a co-worker or supervisor?  You are definitely not alone. You…

Years ago, a roommate and I returned to our apartment to find our upstairs neighbor (who we had…

What do you do when a loved one shows signs of being unable to safely drive? Or adequately…

What do you need? When most people state their needs, they really list strategies for meeting them. Whether…

The existence of religious institutions may bring peace, grace and healing to many. Since human beings lead, work,…

Whether a student, teacher, parent, faculty or staff member, administrator, school board member, volunteer, or taxpayer, schools impact…

As so often happens, a couple of friends or family members share some common interest or idea and…

Deciding where an aging adult will live out their final years, months, or days can feel overwhelming. Too…

Does ending a marriage really end a relationship? Or does it change the nature of the relationship? Instead…

Part of being human means experiencing conflict. It generally does not feel good, which leads to a variety…