Search Blog

Life never stands still. Circumstances shift, people evolve, and every relationship I hold is touched by change. But growth, real, lasting growth, doesn’t happen automatically. It requires awareness, effort, and intention.   Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.   In my relationships, I’ve learned that reacting to change isn’t enough. If I want a deeper connection, I must grow through  change, reflect, learn, and mature. That means looking inward and confronting my blind spots, the unseen patterns, defenses, and habits that limit closeness.   Facing blind spots is never easy. It’s uncomfortable to admit where I’ve fallen short. Yet every truth I face expands my understanding. And awareness opens the door to empathy, healing, and stronger bonds.   Growth requires courage. It calls me to stay curious when I want to defend, to listen when I want to argue, and to lead with humility when pride wants control.   The reward for intentional growth is freedom, freedom from old mistakes, freedom to build trust, and freedom to create relationships rooted in authenticity, not reaction.   Each day, life offers the same invitation: resist change or grow with it.   When change comes, do I resist, or grow?   I must remember: Change is inevitable. Growth is intentional.    Watch for the blind spots.       Think you’ve got it all figured out? 🤔 Your blind spots might have other plans. Dive into Blind Spots in Relationships  and find out what you don’t know you don’t know. 💡 Get copy today. 📚 http://tinyurl.com/yc3usfsp

Comfort feels good, safe, familiar, and predictable. But stay there too long, and comfort quietly trades progress for ease. P.T. Barnum said, “Comfort is the enemy of progress.”  I’ve learned that truth the hard way.   My brain is wired to seek what feels good and avoid what feels hard. Yet everything meaningful in my life, personal growth, professional success, and emotional healing, has come from discomfort. Growth doesn’t happen in the lounge chair of life; it happens when I stretch into challenge, risk, and failure, and keep moving forward.   Comfort zones are cozy, but they also conceal blind spots. When I cling to ease, I stop learning. I miss opportunities. I dull my creativity. And eventually, I start calling stagnation “stability.” That’s the quiet danger of staying too comfortable: I forget what real progress feels like.   To guard against that trap, I set small, measurable challenges each week, which I refer to as my Weekly Report.  It’s not about perfection, but progress. Each stretch builds resilience, awareness, and confidence. Over time, those small steps compound into lasting change.   Discomfort isn’t punishment, it’s preparation. It strengthens character, deepens focus, and proves I’m growing.   So, I ask myself often: Where has comfort become my cage?   Growth, real, lasting growth, always hangs out on the other side of discomfort.   Watch for the blind spots.   "Think you’ve got it all figured out? 🤔 Your blind spots might have other plans. Dive into Blind Spots in Relationships  and find out what you don’t know you don’t know. 💡 Get copy today. 📚 http://tinyurl.com/yc3usfsp

I’ve noticed that when things aren’t going well, my first impulse is to hope someone else changes so that I can stay the same. But that approach never works. Hoping someone else will change is not a decisive or results-oriented approach. Nothing changes as long as nothing changes. Change can feel uncomfortable. It challenges routines and shakes up what feels familiar. Yet comfort often becomes the cage that keeps me stuck. If I want different results, I must choose other actions. Growth demands movement, and movement requires courage. The truth is that every lasting breakthrough begins with personal responsibility. When I stop waiting for others to change and start adjusting my own choices, I become the spark that shifts everything around me. Whether it’s health, career, or relationships, change begins with me. If I want more peace, I must practice patience. If I want stronger relationships, I must improve my communication. If I want better results, I must refine my habits. Growth isn’t about blame; it’s about ownership. The more I change myself, the more I influence others by setting a good example. Every uncomfortable step is a doorway to new strength. Each small shift compounds into progress. What one small change could open a big door in your life? Remember: If nothing changes, nothing changes. Watch for the blind spots.   You’re not alone — we all have blind spots. 💕 But with awareness comes freedom. Grab your copy of Blind Spots in Relationships  and find language for what you couldn’t see before. 📚  http://tinyurl.com/yc3usfsp

Emotions can weigh me down like heavy backpacks. Stress, anger, and worry accumulate until even minor challenges seem unbearable. That’s when laughter shows up as a release valve.   Have you ever laughed so hard you cried? In those moments, it’s as if your body says, “Let’s unload all this pressure.” Your chest loosens, your breathing steadies, and suddenly the world feels a little less overwhelming. Laughter reminds us not to be prisoners of our emotions.   It doesn’t mean ignoring pain. It means permitting myself to lighten the load. After all, laughter is contagious. Watch a baby laugh, and you can’t help but smile. Hang around friends who see the humor in life, and you’ll feel your own burdens lift.   When anger flares, laughter helps reset perspective. When sadness drags us down, laughter whispers, “There’s still joy to be found.” And when stress ties me in knots, laughter untangles them.   So, whenever emotions start to press in, I look for   a funny clip, call a friend who makes me smile, or even laugh at my own mistakes. Laughter is more than entertainment; it’s therapy I don’t have to schedule. Relief is only a chuckle away.     “When emotions overflow, let laughter be the release valve.”   Watch for the blind spots.   You’re not alone — we all have blind spots. 💕 But with awareness comes freedom. Grab your copy of Blind Spots in Relationships  and find language for what you couldn’t see before. 📚  http://tinyurl.com/yc3usfsp

We’ve all heard the phrase, “laughter is the best medicine.” It may sound cliché, but science backs it up. Laughter lowers stress hormones, boosts our immune system, and even improves blood flow. In other words, laughter isn’t just good for your soul, it’s good for your body. But beyond biology, laughter is a healer of the heart. I’ve sat in hospital waiting rooms where a well-timed joke brought much-needed relief. I’ve watched grief soften when a funny memory reminded me that joy still lived beside sorrow. Pain may be unavoidable, but laughter is proof that pain doesn’t get the final word. Wounds come in many forms: physical, emotional, and relational. Laughter stitches them with threads of hope. It doesn’t erase the scar, but it helps the scar carry less sting. I think back on the most challenging moments of my life, and there was at least one laugh that broke through the darkness. I do not underestimate the simple giggle or the loud belly laugh. They may look small, but they carry power. When I want to help heal someone, including myself, I try to share laughter. It may not cure everything, but it sure makes the journey lighter. “Scars may last, but laughter makes them easier to carry.” Watch for the blind spots.   Think you’ve got it all figured out? 🤔 Your blind spots might have other plans. Dive into Blind Spots in Relationships  and find out what you don’t know you don’t know. 💡 Get copy today. 📚 http://tinyurl.com/yc3usfsp

I love to laugh. When my family gets together, laughter fills the air. We are planning another family reunion soon, and I am blissfully anticipating the laughter. Old stories retold year after year still bring belly laughter. Where do you find your laughter? For some, it’s a favorite comedian. For others, it’s a child’s giggle, a pet’s silly antic, or a friend who knows how to deliver the perfect punchline. The truth is, laughter doesn’t always arrive in grand form. Sometimes it sneaks in through the most minor cracks of daily life. I’ve learned to laugh at myself, which is a very healing experience. Misplaced keys in the freezer, mismatched socks in a serious meeting, or realizing halfway through the day that my shirt is inside out—it happens! Instead of groaning, I’ve learned to smile at my blunders. Laughter is life’s way of saying, “Don’t take yourself so seriously.” Laughter is fuel for connection. A shared chuckle in a long meeting lightens the mood. Even the memory of a laugh, an inside joke you’ve carried for years, has the power to soften stress. Humor is in the pause, the stumble, and the perfectly timed comeback. Today, try looking for it. You’ll be surprised at how much joy awaits you. “ Don’t just look for the serious, look for the silly. Joy is hiding in plain sight.” Watch for the blind spots.     Think you’ve got it all figured out? 🤔 Your blind spots might have other plans. Dive into Blind Spots in Relationships  and find out what you don’t know you don’t know. Get copy today. 📚 http://tinyurl.com/yc3usfsp

Zig Ziglar said, “If you are in it, get in it. If you are not, get out.”  Those words cut right through the fog of hesitation. Dabbling drains energy. It creates the illusion of progress while leaving me stuck in the same place.   I’ve noticed this in my own life. I’ll say I want to do something, like writing the rest of the year-end plan. If I approach it with a hit-and-miss attitude, nothing happens. The time I spend “thinking about it” feels wasted, and my energy is scattered. The truth is simple: indecision costs more than failure.   Darren Hardy offers a powerful solution for accomplishing tasks. Set aside blocks of time with no distractions.  Not partial time, not multitasking time, but focused, sacred time. No phones. No people. No interruptions. I need to protect that space like my life depends on it, because in many ways, my success does.   I’ve found that just one uninterrupted hour a day produces more momentum than a week of dabbling. In that one hour, my mind sharpens, my ideas flow, and I actually finish things. The results are tangible and motivating, and the sense of accomplishment fuels even more progress.   Here’s the question:  where in your life are you dabbling? A relationship? A project? A dream you keep talking about? Dabbling is a slow leak; commitment is a floodgate.   I need to step fully in or step out and free my energy. Halfway in is no way forward. One focused hour on a single project every day can transform my year, and perhaps my life.   Watch for the blind spots.     Think you’ve got it all figured out? 🤔 Your blind spots might have other plans. Dive into Blind Spots in Relationships  and find out what you don’t know you don’t know. 💡 Get copy today. 📚 http://tinyurl.com/yc3usfsp

Two friends attended the memorial service of Charlie Kirk; a young man whose mission left an indelible mark. His passion for Christ and his vision for our nation sparked something larger than himself. Even in his passing, he built memories that will ripple across lives for years to come. That is the power of a life well-lived; it creates memories that cannot be erased.   But building memories isn’t only for the big, public moments. It happens every day, often in ways we overlook. My grandchildren create memories daily with their laughter, their curiosity, and even their mischief. Yet if I don’t capture them, those treasures risk fading into the blur of time.   That’s why I value journaling. Words on a page can resurrect a moment years later with astonishing clarity. Add a picture, and suddenly the colors return. Add a short video, and you can hear the laughter again, see the sparkle in their eyes, and feel the warmth of the day. Journaling, paired with photos and videos, becomes a time capsule, a gift to our future selves and to those who will come after us.   Memories, big and small, drift away unless we give them a place to live. Recording them doesn’t just preserve them; it honors the life that created them. Without that effort, the wonders of life, as vibrant as they are in the moment, too easily get left behind. I am challenged to capture the moments, big and small, and not let the great things fade into oblivion.   Watch for the blind spots.   👀 Don’t wait to uncover what you don’t know you don’t know! 💡 Blind Spots in Relationships,  get your copy today, http://tinyurl.com/yc3usfsp

I often hear people talk about slowing down 🛑, stepping aside 🚶, or finishing their work 🏁 as if life has an expiration date on usefulness. But finding strength through struggles  has taught me one truth: I am not through yet.  💪 As I look back at my journey, a Marine Corps veteran 🇺🇸 with life lessons from service , thirty years in telecommunications 📡, decades as a counselor 🗣️, and now a coach 🎯, author ✍️, and speaker 🎤, I know this: resilience in everyday life  keeps me moving forward. There is still work to be done. The kind of meaningful work in every season of life  that shapes souls, mends relationships, and lights a spark 🔥 in people who thought their fire had gone out. This work doesn’t depend on my age, but on my willingness to keep showing up with heart, clarity, and courage. It’s about choosing to leave a legacy that inspires. Every day gives me 24 hours to trade. Some days I get it right, some days I stumble, but every day is another chance to learn 📚, to speak 🗣️, to write ✍️, to encourage 🙌, and to challenge. That’s the essence of life coaching for personal growth; choosing to show up and create impact that lasts. My calling isn’t about polishing a résumé 📄 or building a monument 🗿. It’s about serving, guiding, and leaving tools behind for others to pick up when I no longer can. I don’t want to arrive at my last day with empty hours behind me. I want to be doing something meaningful, even in the final stretch 🏃. Writing words that outlive me 📝. Creating books that inspire personal growth . Speaking to someone who needs a voice of hope. Sitting across from a person who needs to be heard. The work is never finished ♾️ because people are constantly unfolding. Every season of life offers new chances to learn, share, and grow. If I continue to pour out what I’ve been given, my life becomes more than a timeline. It becomes a legacy  👑, a story that continues to inspire ✨, encourage 💛, and uplift long after I’m gone. I am not through yet.   How about you❓ 👀 Watch for the blind spots.   👀 Don’t wait to uncover what you don’t know you don’t know! 💡 Blind Spots in Relationships,  get your copy today, http://tinyurl.com/yc3usfsp

I’ve noticed something about life: I usually find what I am looking for. 🔍✨ If I’m dissatisfied 😤, I don’t have to search far to prove my case. The world seems eager to hand me evidence that supports my frustration. If I believe my job is unfair, I can notice every slight and every oversight. If I’m convinced the economy is broken 📉, I can line up articles, posts, and statistics that validate my view. If I think I can’t hold a job 🙅‍♂️, I can point to bosses 👔, coworkers 👥, or circumstances to substantiate my blame. The reverse is also true. If I choose to look for meaning in my work 💡, I’ll find reasons to like it. If I decide I’m capable, I’ll notice moments that affirm my ability. If I’m searching for kindness 💛, I’ll see it in the smile of a stranger 😊 or the patience of a friend 🤝. The mind 🧠 is a powerful filter. It doesn’t just record reality, it interprets it. Every day, I’m given both shadows 🌑 and light ☀️, and I lean into whichever one I’m focused on. When I say, “I can”, opportunities and encouragement come into view. When I say, “I can’t” 🚫, the world seems to echo back agreement. This doesn’t mean that hardships aren’t real. They are 💔. But even in the middle of them, I still get to choose what I’m scanning for 🔭: more reasons to quit ❌, or more reasons to keep going ⏩. I create or find what I am looking for. 🔎 That truth humbles me 🙏 because it reminds me that my perspective shapes my reality 🌍. If I want more hope , I get to look for it. If I want more courage 🦁, I get to notice it. And if I want more joy 🎉, I get to give it a chance to be found. ⚠️ Watch for the blind spots 👀. 👓 Clearing your vision and strengthening your relationships starts with my book, Blind Spots in Relationships . 📘✨ Get your copy today, http://tinyurl.com/yc3usfsp

I love the saying; The sun will come up in the morning.  It really speaks to me. There have been times when the darkness felt permanent, wreckage from accidents, storms I couldn’t control, and relationships that seemed to have no answer. In those moments, fear settled in like heavy fog and whispered there was no way out. Yet, again and again, something came to refill the emptiness or pain left behind. A stranger’s kindness. An unexpected call. A fix that appeared hours later. A calm morning after a restless night. Sometimes the rescue took days or months, but it always came. Small mercies became a foundation I could stand on. The image that stays with me is dawn after a storm. The wind may howl, and the rain may pound, but night never refuses to end. The sun shows up, steady and sure. That promise reminds me that circumstances are never final. They’re chapters, not the whole story. Resilience isn’t living without fear. It’s choosing to take one more step when the fog won’t lift. It’s gathering the ordinary things that heal, a word of grace, a meal, a laugh that slips back in, and letting them accumulate. Each one weakens the grip of the dark. When I feel trapped, I remember the mornings I once doubted I’d see. Something always came to ease the hurt. That memory steadies me now. The sun will come up in the morning, and with it, the quiet work of repair. In that light, I find reason to keep going. Watch for the blind spots.   Get a copy of Blind Spots in Relationships. Discover the hidden behavior that could be holding you back from the relationships you desire. http://tinyurl.com/yc3usfsp

September is Suicide Prevention Month. It is a time to confront a reality that is painful, complex, and often misunderstood. Suicide is one of the most devastating human tragedies. Some see it as a selfish act, while others know it as the desperate decision of someone who feels they can no longer find a way through their emotional pain. Whatever the perspective, suicide is not just an idea; it is a reality of life and death. The numbers are staggering. According to the CDC’s 2024 statistics, more than 134 people die by suicide every single day in the United States. Among veterans, the numbers are even more haunting: about 21 take their lives every day. These are not just statistics; they are sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, parents, and friends whose absence leaves ripples of grief and unanswered questions. My good friend, David Sanders, knows this pain firsthand. He has bravely written about the suicide of his 16-year-old brother in his newly released book, Bonded: A Brother’s Love .   This is a story of one bullet and a thousand echoes. It is one of the most gripping and unforgettable books I have ever read. David dares to revisit the deepest wound of his life—not only to free himself from its grip, but also to help prevent others from believing that suicide is the only answer. His story is raw, heartbreaking, and necessary. It reminds us that we are often closer to suicide than we realize, and that recognizing the warning signs could save a life. David, who proudly served our country as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft Bragg at the age of 17, has now taken on another mission: to use his story to educate, raise awareness, and prevent future tragedies. His book is more than a memoir; it is a call to action.  One life saved means a thousand echoes of hope instead of despair. Watch for the blind spots. You can get David's book, Bonded: A Brother’s Love—One Bullet. A Thousand Echoes. today, https://tinyurl.com/mtz4yr5w 👀 Don’t wait to uncover what you don’t know you don’t know! 💡 Blind Spots in Relationships,  get your copy today, http://tinyurl.com/yc3usfsp