The Halloween Trading Places Challenge

I’m frightened already! – Kimberly Allison, Mom and Challenge Participant At Halloween, our kids have the opportunity to select the identity they want to inhabit for one special night. Perhaps they choose to face their fears head on by becoming their own worst nightmare. Others will choose to dress as characters they admire and want …

Elements of a Confident Kid… Saying “No!”

/no/ – used to give a negative answer or reply to a question, request, or offer 1 About Children and the Evolution of “No.” If your child was anything like mine between the ages of two and three, “No! No! No!” was a favorite and often used word. For the most part, while children are …

Raising Culturally Aware Children; An Interview with Louise Gomer Bangel

As we grow in awareness of one another – whether two people beginning a romance or two disparate and far-removed strangers taking an interest in the other’s culture – a wonderful thing begins to happen: we begin to care for the other as if the other is part of us. This is the magic of …

Emotional Honesty

…When I want sincerity tell me where else can I turn? Because you’re the one I depend upon. – Honesty by Billy Joel1  “I’m fine. Really. Fine.” From that statement, are you convinced that I’m fine? Even without hearing the tone of my voice, there’s a clear subtext. “I’m not fine. I can’t bring myself …

A Time to Pause: Reflecting on Development in the Coming School Year

We are called to be strong companions and clear mirrors to one another, to seek those who reflect with compassion and a keen eye how we are doing, whether we seem centered or off course…we need the nourishing company of others to create the circle needed for growth, freedom and healing. – Wayne Muller After …

Lazy Days of Summer

Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability. – Sam Keen As school ends and summer begins, we are sitting outside and dreaming of the many delights the season brings. We have big plans to read, swim, blow bubbles, build sandcastles, catch fireflies and sit and watch the clouds. Last year, I put together a summer …

Say What?

When you really listen to another person from their point of view, and reflect back to them that understanding, it’s like giving them emotional oxygen. – Stephen Covey Most parents, particularly with young children, may feel like they are listening all day long. Because children are exploring the world around them, they may have many …

Forgiveness

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong. – Mahatma Gandhi “Sammy took my Star Wars Lego out of my hand today at indoor recess. But I forgave him. He loves them too.” relayed my six year old son last week. “How do you know about forgiveness?” I asked surprised. “Because …

Responsible Decision Making

I heard the news today, oh boy… – “A Day in the Life,” The Beatles When national or local news reports a situation in which a person has made a harmful choice effecting children’s lives, I begin to go down the black hole of worry. The dangers that my son faces as he goes about …

Reader Responses to “How Do You Live a Life with Heart?”

I demonstrate open-hearted love, compassion and empathy with my granddaughter by being really and truly present with her. I think there is no better gift of love than to role-model complete presence with another. –       Tom Rausch *Leadership Beyond Limits, LLC* Leader and Coach to Leaders http://www.linkedin.com/in/tomrausch http://twitter.com/tcrausch I agree with the need for complete …