How well do you understand your weaknesses? I mean, the gaps you have in your life that are holding you back – the things that are keeping you from creating the depth you'd like to… It struck me the other day that although I think I know what my weaknesses are, I might be missing [...]

COVID-19 has created an odd environment for all of us, one that involves wearing masks. It’s been challenging to get used to covering our faces and breathing behind that material. For many, the experience has been claustrophobic. These masks have become a source of friction – choosing to wear one or not to wear one [...]

You’ve been gone now for about thirteen years. I lost you in an instant, and time has flown by since. When you died, the twins were not even a year old. Today, they are fourteen. You would be so proud of them and the adults they’re becoming. As a dad myself, now raising teenagers, I [...]

"You are the coolest dad ever…" Those were the words of my son, wide-eyed and baffled as he watched me ollie his new skateboard. An ollie is a simple trick I used to do as a kid, stomping the tail of your board on the ground with one foot and popping it into the air [...]

One of the things I’ve found to be the most interesting as we’ve journeyed through COVID-19 is the separation that this pandemic has created. First, we judged people based on their decision to wear a mask, or not wear one. Then, we judged them based on their stance on social distancing. Now we’re making judgments [...]

“Where are all the staples? I just need one freakin’ staple. What good is a stapler with no staples?” This tirade raged in my head for about five minutes – about five minutes and one second too long. I’m in my home office, looking at the notes I just captured on a call, wanting to [...]

Waking up in the Twin Cities this morning, I'm left with a list of things I don't understand, many that I never will.  I'll never understand what it feels like to worry about your son when he leaves home because of the color of his skin. That's a reality that I'll never face, and yet [...]

I remember vividly the feeling I used to get as a kid every May. School was about to end and summer was on our doorstep. As the days got warmer and the evenings got longer, there was only one thing on my mind… summer soccer. I spent every night in my cleats and shinpads, in [...]

As far back as I can remember, I knew I was adopted. My parents told me at a young age that they picked me, and were so happy to give me a home. There was never that “Oh my gosh, what? I’m not your real child?” moment. I just always knew. My mom and dad [...]

I snapped at my kids and my wife the other day – a little out of character for me.  I didn’t lose it because I’m a bad dad or husband. I’m pretty solid in both arenas if I do say so myself. And, I didn’t snap because I have bad kids or a nagging spouse. [...]