Eight Tips For Radical Hospitality

By Thursday, December 18, 2014 4 0

Mainstream culture encourages a tight focus on self. That focus can feed separation from others, and isolation. Both those are tied to depression, very common in the U.S., especially during the holidays. But hospitality -- both the giving and receiving of it -- is a potent antidote to isolation and depression. It makes us rich in what ...

Ten Things To Happily Surrender To, Part II

By Sunday, August 31, 2014 1 0

Being rich in what matters means living counter to mainstream culture in key ways. One of those key ways is gracefully surrendering instead of frenetically fighting. I've tried both approaches, believe me. This series is about my lessons learned (that I'm still learning :)) Last week in Part I we looked at surrendering to our impulse to dance, our aging, our appetite ...

Desire Lines

By Sunday, August 17, 2014 0 0

“Those are desire lines,” Greg murmured, almost under his breath. We were gazing at the faint beginnings of a dirt foot-trail that went across a small field to a major intersection.. We were in Corvallis, Oregon, discussing the town’s bicycle-pedestrian situation (we work in transportation). “Desire lines?” I said, intrigued. “Yeah. They get created where a sidewalk would be desired." ...

The Nature of Summer

By Sunday, August 3, 2014 7 0

The nature of summer is that it makes us richer in what matters. One reason I know this is that I got to dance outdoors last night in the Columbia Gorge. The warm air held my body like a lover.  I was swooning, I was so relaxed. Only in summer can this sensation happen, at least here in the ...

14 Ways To Add Value To Any Situation, Part II

By Sunday, July 27, 2014 3 0

Diamond-Cut Life is about how to be rich in the things that matter, like health, financial solvency, dynamic relationships, and peaceful coexistence. Last week I named my first seven ways to add value to any situation. This post completes the two-part series, and draws from my background in counseling psychology (I have an M.S. in that field). Set a boundary. A boundary clarifies ...

Fourteen Ways To Add Value To Any Situation, Part I

By Sunday, July 20, 2014 6 2

Whenever we add value to a situation, we become richer in what matters. And so do those around us. Adding value means adding little crystals of integrity, connectedness, productivity, vitality and sustainability.  Do the hard thing you’ve been avoiding. The tough conversation about why your project isn't succeeding . . .  responding to that troubling feedback . . ...