March 2020 I’ve had a number of responses to this newsletter from people who feel that human interactions aren’t always as positive and supportive as I report. A couple of recipients have even asked to be removed from the list because my view of the world feels like a disconnect for them. “Women don’t […]
February 2020 This month’s thoughts are dedicated to Katie. I don’t know her last name. Katie works at the front desk of a hotel where I was planning to stay before my TEDx Sonoma talk in January. In fact, I had already checked into the hotel and put my clothes away before I realized that the venue […]
January 2020 For many of us, that question can summon up a range of feelings, from self-consciousness and embarrassment to insecurity and even paranoia. What are others seeing? Do I seem like I have my act together? Am I being too aloof or self-absorbed? Was that joke actually funny? Do these pants make my butt […]
December 2019 Last month, my godmother Rachael responded to my One Small Thing email with the insight that she appreciated receiving my notes because they were like paper children: conceived, nurtured, and sent out into the world. I loved this visual analogy because both “birthing” a child and writing an insightful note require me to […]
November 2019 I Know What You Do, But Who Are You? When you walk into a room full of strangers, how do you introduce yourself? For many years, my lead sentence was that I was “the CEO” or “the Mom.” I hid behind the cape of a title, a role, or a function because I […]
October 2019 It’s the season of vampires, ghosts, and coffins planted in front yards. It’s the season to be “scared” in a fun way. But beyond the fantasy and the levity of this holiday, I’m using this month’s One Small Thing to talk about what really scares me and keeps me from being my best […]
September 2019 For many of us, September is a time of transition. We come back from summer vacation or summer “slow downs” in anticipation of hitting the ground running. It might be heading back to work. It might be that the kids are back in school. But it’s definitely a change. Sometimes those changes are […]
August 2019 That’s the question I ask the Parlay House community every summer. Parlay House is an organization I founded where women meet to connect authentically and talk about things that we don’t have space to talk about in other parts of our lives. In our August gathering, “What Book Are You?”, everyone brings […]
July 2019 ALL HELL IS BREAKING LOOSE! If I was to tell you it’s National Pandemonium Day, what would your reaction be? Is it a good thing — like the manic mayhem of a music festival — or a scary time of chaos where everything feels out of control? Of course, there is no […]
June 2019 You may not know it, but today is Global Garbage Man Day. Maybe we should call it “Global Garbage Collection Day” instead? It’s a thankless and necessary job (regardless of gender) and I salute those who pick up the physical trash that endangers our planet. But it’s not only that waste that […]