Optimism? It’s Worth the Stretch
From the St. Paul Pioneer Press Opinion Page, Sept. 29, 2019 Is it possible to become an optimist if it isn’t within one’s nature to be so? I’d like to think it is, for though I don’t have both feet in the optimist camp, I wish I did. How does one become more optimistic? In…
We don’t know what we don’t know, and I didn’t know about Gander, Newfoundland
From the St. Paul Pioneer Press Opinion Page, Sept. 8, 2019 We don’t know what we don’t know. That thought coursed through my brain as I sat in a New York City theater last June and learned about a remarkable display of generosity and goodwill. I never knew there was a place called Gander, Newfoundland,…
Meeting Sensory Challenges Head On
Image from pyschsciencenotes.blogspot.com This op-ed appeared in the St. Paul Pioneer Press on August 25, 2019 After the early morning rain ended, the promise of sunshine lured us outdoors. Traffic and parking notwithstanding, it was a good morning to visit the St. Paul Farmers’ Market. The air at the market was dense with humidity. Musicians…
The Real Magic at The Fort Happens in the Afternoon
This op-ed appeared in the St. Paul Pioneer Press on July 28, 2019. It’s like the “Cheers” of tennis. When I walk into the Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center (FWTEC), I, a fairly new member, am greeted by name. And that makes me feel right at home. Perhaps you’ve driven by FWTEC without even noticing it.…
The Heart and Muscle Behind Honor Flights Twin Cities
This op-ed appeared in the St. Paul Pioneer Press on July 4, 2019. In a townhome in Roseville, Minnesota there’s a lot of red, white, and blue on display today. Actually, that is the decor every day, for the home in which Jerry and Jana Kyser dwell bursts with photos, commendations, medals, flags, and other…
For Would-be Employees and Amenable Employers, Opportunity for a Happy Dance
This op-ed appeared in the St. Paul Pioneer Press on June 23, 2019. Two weeks ago the Internet was abuzz when a joyful Minnesota mom posted a video of her 4-year-old son singing his first tune. The world beamed along with Sheletta Brundidge, for young Daniel Brundidge wasn’t just singing – he was speaking…
Mental Illness: Breaking the Silence and Making a Plan
As seen in the St. Paul Pioneer Press on June 9, 2019 Mental illness. It seems everyone I know is dealing with it in some capacity. Statistics bear that out. One in four people experiences an episode of mental illness each year. Most are diagnosed in their youth. What are we to do? Dealing with…
Reckoning with a TBI – and a Mission
As seen in the St. Paul Pioneer Press on May 26, 2019 It’s interesting how both actions and words can dramatically alter our lives. In February 2014, Amy Zellmer slipped on a driveway coated with black ice. Cradling her small Yorkie in her arms, she couldn’t brace her fall. When she landed on her head,…
There’s Adventure in Mustering Courage to Face Our Fears
As seen in the St. Paul Pioneer Press on May 12, 2019 As the rain fell on a chilly Hawaiian morning, I had an unexpected rendezvous with fear. My husband had planned a Valentine’s Day adventure that began with kayaking in a downpour and continued with a trek through ankle-deep mud. We’d led an…
Autism: Awareness, Vigilance, and Encouragement
As seen in the St. Paul Pioneer Press on April 21, 2019. A familiar knot formed in my stomach as the words scrolled across the bottom of the TV screen late last month. A 27-year-old non-verbal woman with autism was missing from her Texas home. My mind flashed back to 2007 when, in the span…
Living With the End in Mind … Lessons From the Pursuit of Healing
As seen in the St. Paul Pioneer Press on April 7, 2019. We’re all students and teachers, whether we choose to be — or even realize we are. It’s the give and take of shared experiences, coupled with insights and lessons learned, that help us to navigate this complicated experience called life. Though Cathy…
‘Better Angels’ — Pushing Back on Political Polarization
As seen in the St. Paul Pioneer Press on March 24, 2019 Bill Doherty gets emotional when he recites a favorite quote from President Abraham Lincoln’s first inaugural address: “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic…