A short re-cap of my weekend get together with my friends, and a reminder on how friendship replenishes the soul. 

A letter from a colleague who finally heard my talk 

This day was all about my future. I was public speaking at the 29th Risky Business Conference in a break out session in Ames, Iowa on the Campus of Iowa State University.  I have never spoken in Ames before, so I was breaking ground in a new area. So how did this become about my past 

I pose the question who is family?

Over the years my friends and I have taken comments made by each other or family members and turned them into rules/guidelines for life. We are unbelievably giant nerds but I can testify these actually work for us, and cause a great deal of laughter when we offer each other the same advice. Why create new advice instead of sitting on the age old advice that has been passed down like patience is a virtue, good things come to those who wait, the early bird gets the worm, march to the beat of your own drummer to name a few. Because we believe, just like everything else, quick advice can be improved upon, made better, and individualized to hit closer to our own hearts. 

I was at a residential rehabilitation center for teens giving my talk. The kids were respectful and engaged the entire time. One girl was beginning to come fidgety toward the end and I could tell she was itching to ask a question.  I finished my last story and her hand went up quickly.  I called on her and she asked...

Super hero powers come in all shapes and forms. If you can think of a power then I’m sure it’s been in a movie, comic book, or graphic novel. Having a super power to call your own is a thought we all can admit to having once or twice. Whether it was in a moment of frustration, juggling too many activities wishing there was two of you.  

There I was, standing in the dressing room at the Mall of America trying on suits for my wedding. It was a moment that I was nervous for at first because I’m just not one for shopping. I like to get in and out, spending as little time as possible. I knew trying on suits isn’t something that can go quickly, and picking the correct one for our wedding wasn’t something I wanted to do quickly. For our big day I wanted to look studly.