Inspiration
Oh, the lessons I’ve learned. And, farewell.
From the St. Paul Pioneer Press Opinion page, October 4, 2019 It’s said that the right decisions are the hardest ones to make. That’s certainly been true for me. In 1993, I was a practicing attorney with a baby on the way when my two-year-old son was diagnosed with autism. Autism – one new word,…
Read More9 Secrets to Thriving arrived at the right moment in this year of adversity
From the St. Paul Pioneer Press Opinion page, September 20, 2020 Why do some people survive, and others thrive when faced with adversity? That question plagued Emma Bell during her childhood as she noted how she and her two siblings responded differently to the same challenging circumstances. It followed her into her career as…
Read MoreTaking control while more things than usual are beyond our control
From the St. Paul Pioneer Press Opinion page, Aug. 30, 2020 If you’re a person who likes to have things under control, as I do, 2020 has likely gotten on your last nerve. Last spring, we were forced to cede some control over the way we live as we learned that a new virus was…
Read MoreLearning about leadership in the St. Paul midway
From the St. Paul Pioneer Press Opinion page, June 21, 2020 “In parts of our society, there appears to be a turmoil of trust and a crisis in civility. There also appears to be a very sweeping, debilitating and destructive narrative of if you are not with me, then you are against me. Sadly, this…
Read MoreReflecting and regrouping during the pandemic
From the St. Paul Pioneer Press Opinion page, May 24, 2020 Way back in January, I decided this was going to be my best year ever. Resolving to be more deliberate about how and with whom I spent my time and resources, I set goals and made a plan. Then the coronavirus arrived like a…
Read MoreSpecial needs, extraordinary concerns
From the St. Paul Pioneer Press Opinion page, May 3, 2020 It took many years and many hands to assemble the scaffolding that provides the structure for Lucas Houk’s life. When coronavirus infiltrated our communities, the structure toppled. Like my son Jack, Lucas was diagnosed in the 1990s, when little was known about autism. His…
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