Join the Club

A Single Candle “Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness.” ~ Anne Frank This quote reminds us that light doesn’t need to be loud to be powerful. A single candle doesn’t erase the darkness; it coexists with it, giving shape, meaning, and contrast to what surrounds it. In moments when the world feels heavy or uncertain, mindfulness isn’t about fixing everything; it’s about noticing where light already exists and allowing it to matter. Let yourself be t

The Practice of Staying We spend so much time pursuing the next goal that we forget to pause upon arrival. The new feeling of "goodness" quickly becomes the new normal, and what once felt meaningful fades into momentum. Mindfulness asks us to linger. To savor the moment we worked for. To let ourselves feel, “I’m here and this matters.” This week, resist the rush to move on. Sit with what you’ve reached, even briefly. Arrival is not a pause in the journey; it’s part of the pra

Noticing the Cold The cold slows us down, and that’s not always a bad thing. Instead of fighting it, notice it. Feel the crisp air, the quiet, the contrast that makes warmth comforting. Questions to Ask Yourself How does my body react when I step into the cold? Where do I find warmth in my day (people, spaces, or moments)? When things feel “cold” emotionally, how do I soften my response? Actions for the Week Take one slow breath before stepping into or out of the cold. Create

The Chocolate Countdown Chocolate countdown calendars are such a tiny, joyful ritual. One small square, one little door, one moment of “oh!” in the middle of an ordinary day. They aren’t about the chocolate itself as much as what it represents: anticipation, patience, and the practice of savoring a single, simple moment. What if we treated our days like a countdown calendar? Not racing ahead to the “big” day, but opening just one door at a time with curiosity? Instead of gu

Let Gratitude Lead “If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily.” Gratitude doesn’t erase challenges, but it changes how we move through them. When we pause to notice even one small thing worth appreciating, our mindset shifts and our energy follows. Start the week by asking yourself: What is one moment today that deserves thanks? Where could gratitude soften something that feels heavy? Let thankfulness be your quiet reset, steady

Mindful Monday: Birthday Weekends Birthday weekends have a way of slowing life down just enough for us to notice what matters. They’re part celebration, part reflection, and part quiet realization that another year has shaped us in ways we didn’t always see in the moment. Between the plans, the messages, and the candles, there’s usually a pause, a moment where we ask ourselves: Who did I become this year? What did I carry that I can finally put down? What do I want more of as

The Courage to Begin The first time you do something new in public, your heart beats a little faster. Maybe your voice trembles. Maybe your hands don’t quite know where to go. It’s the moment when preparation meets vulnerability, and courage steps in. There’s a certain beauty in that first try. It’s imperfect, raw, and real. You learn what worked, what didn’t, and what to try next time. Most of all, you discover that growth doesn’t happen in the comfort zone; it occurs in the

Mindful Monday: Creativity Creativity isn’t reserved for artists; it’s an everyday act of noticing, connecting, and reimagining. It’s what happens when curiosity meets courage. Whether you’re solving a problem, crafting a lesson, or finding a new rhythm in your day, creativity reminds you that possibility is always present if you’re willing to see differently. Pause. Look again. What could this become? #MindfulMonday #Creativity #InnovationMindset #AddorationInnovation

Cold Mornings in the Fall The first breath outside bites a little, and everything slows; the porch step, the car’s defrost, the sun taking its time. Cold reminds the body to notice: the warmth in your mug, the weight of your scarf, the way the air wakes your lungs. This is a season that invites gentler starts and deliberate choices. Try this today Pause at the door for three deep breaths before stepping out. Wrap your hands around a warm mug and name one thing you’re grateful

The Art of Letting Go As the leaves turn and fall, nature reminds us that release is not loss, it’s renewal. Trees don’t cling to what once was; they trust that new growth will come in its time. The same is true for us. When we hold tightly to old patterns, past seasons, or outdated expectations, we leave little room for the new ideas, relationships, and opportunities waiting to emerge. Letting go is about making space. It’s about choosing peace over perfection and presence o

The Mirror of Public Service Public service is not only what we do—it is who we are when no one is watching. It asks us to look inward...

Learning From Failure When was the last time you failed at something? It could have been big or small, a project that didn’t unfold as...

Seasons Shift, Leaders Adapt As the leaves start to change, they don’t force it. They respond to the season. Leadership is like that....

Little Bits of Good It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that only big actions change the world. The truth is, it’s the little bits of...

Mindful Monday: Be a Part of the Conversation So often, conversations happen around us, in meetings, classrooms, communities, and even at...

Mindful Monday: Permission to Go to the Concert Skipping the concert to “get ahead” at work can feel noble until we notice we’re always...

Following Your Passion Passion is not always loud or obvious. Sometimes it appears as a quiet pull toward something that makes time...

The Last Week of Summer The county fair has wrapped up, ribbons awarded, and memories tucked away. As the Ferris wheel lights fade and...

Day One Leadership: More Than a Welcome Back The first day of school is more than a calendar date; it’s a tone-setter. For students, it...

Purposeful Professionalism If we are honest, we can admit work isn’t a friendship club. You will, at some point, have to work with...