Two Responses to Suffering

There are only two real responses to suffering: Push it away. Or say to it: “yes and thank you” There is no “right” way to suffer, and in fact, most of us have tried both responses many different times.  But once you discover what’s possible when you soften into suffering, you can’t unsee it. …

You Don’t Have to Hold It Together

There are so many things falling apart right now and if you’re someone like me who likes to: - Hold things together  - Bring things together - Keep things together  This time is probably uncomfortable at best and maybe painful at worst.  I’m today’s episode, I’ll share with you something that …

When the Worst People in the World Are the Most Confident

Have you noticed how the worst people in the world — those with the least character, next to no ethics and the lowest possible bar for human decency — have the most confidence? They have no issues taking up space, asserting their ideas or taking the lead role. Meanwhile those of us with huge hear…

Can Breathing Together Change the World?

I’ve wondered again and again how I can make a meaningful contribution during this dark time in human history and I keep coming back to this:  The power of our breath.  The simple act of showing up and intentionally breathing changed my life irrevocably many years ago and still continues to susta…

Softening in the Face of Uncertainty

Sometimes the world feels like it's becoming more dark and depraved by the day.  If you’re taking any amount of news or current events, you have to be feeling some measure of fear, frustration, rage and helplessness (or you’re not paying attention).  What do we do with all of these feelings cours…

Where Book Ideas Really Come From

You might think that when you sit down to write a book, you use mostly your brain, your intellect, or your thoughts to concoct the perfect argument, the most interesting story. I believe there’s more to it than that.  I’ve written 14 books and helped hundreds of authors write, edit and publish th…

Why Now Is the Time to Start Writing

From the 14th floor of a hotel room in downtown Nashville while the entire city is under a layer of ice, I send you this not-so-subtle nudge to use your voice. You may have told yourself that you’d write your book “someday,” or that you aren’t a real writer anyway, or that nobody would listen to w…

Instructions for a Fresh Start

Here we are, at the start of a new year.  How is it going for you? How does it feel to start fresh?  Beginning something new can feel exhilarating. After all, anything is possible, all is new. But being a beginner can also feel intimidating and overwhelming.  After all anything is possible, all …

The Pace That Actually Feels Good

This is a time of year that seems to move at lightning speed. it can feel like, if we don’t also move at lightning speed, we’ll fall behind and miss something truly important. What if moving fast isn’t the flex you’ve been told it is? It might seem like FAST is the way to get more out of life. Thi…

Deep Inner Listening in the Depths of Winter

I’ve been practicing something recently that I want to share with you. It’s pulling me out of survival mode and into pure presence. It’s asking me to drop the ego I barely knew I was carrying. It’s helping me get more honest about who I am and what I really need. It’s not flashy or impressive (…