Tame Your Inner Grinch

Did anybody else read or watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas over the holidays? It’s a Dr. Seuss classic! Yes, he’s the cranky green guy who hates the whole holiday season. He doesn’t like presents, singing, or even roast beast. Nobody knows the reason. Some suggest it is because his head wasn’t screwed on just right or that his shoes

Assume Good Intentions and See What Happens in 2019!

The sun glistened down through the conference room windows. To my right sat a local banker, to my left a college admissions director. I was literally surrounded by the cream of the crop of local business women, movers and shakers in the community, including an architect, non-profit directors, higher education professionals, marketing and public relations executives, a variety of business

Random Act of Kindness

“Wow, your nails look terrific,” she said, standing behind the sample counter at Trader Joe’s. This simple compliment from a grocery store employee started a conversation between two strangers—Jen and me. I’d stopped by the store on my drive home to pick up a few items, tired and not eager to face the snowy roads and rush hour traffic. Jen’s

#RealLifeWonderWoman – Meet Lisa Erwin

I sat down in the auditorium for a parent orientation session–this time not as the keynote speaker or college parenting expert, but as a mom. A mom who was launching her youngest child. A mom who knows all-too-well the bittersweet feeling of letting go. Then SHE walked on the stage, her warm smile and bright eyes calming the nervous parents

#RealLifeWonderWoman–Meet Becca Friesen

In honor of Veteran’s Day, this week’s #RealLifeWonderWoman is a woman who has served our country. Becca Friesen is a veteran of the United States Air Force, having served in the 25th Flight Squadron (Assam Draggins), Osan AB, South Korea, and the 74th Fighter Squadron (Flying Tigers), Pope AFB, North Carolina. She currently lives in the greater Atlanta area and works as

YOUR WORDS MATTER–and other life lessons from playing Scrabble with Grandma

Some day I’m going to have spectacular silver hair and live in a retirement community where I’ll get to play Scrabble and sip wine every day. When I told this plan to my husband, he shrugged and told me it was a good thing I was already practicing for retirement by hitting the wine and the Scrabble on a regular

#RealLifeWonderWoman–Meet Brooklyn Harren

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of speaking with the 2018 Sauk Rapids Community Ambassador candidates about character, kindness and leadership. In addition to meeting the current candidates, I was introduced to a delightful young woman named Brooklyn, who was just completing her term as a Sauk Rapids Community Ambassador and is currently preparing to compete in the

#RealLifeWonderWoman–Meet Susan Meissner

Today’s #RealLifeWonderWoman is the critically-acclaimed author of 20 novels. Her engaging stories feature memorable characters facing unique and complex circumstances, often against a backdrop of historical significance.  Susan Meissner was born and raised in San Diego, California, but spent some of her adult life living in Minnesota as well as in England and Germany, before returning home to southern California.