WHO ARE YOU GOING TO BE…(for the rest of your life)?

In recent weeks, I’ve been thinking a lot about what James Clear calls Outcome-Based goals verses Identity-Based goals in his book, Atomic Habits.  The concept resonates with me because I have a personal experience from several years ago that went a long way in changing the trajectory of my own personal journey.  I’ll share more … Continue reading WHO ARE YOU GOING TO BE…(for the rest of your life)?

IN THE TRENCHES

The trenches of warfare As I consider this blog, I have a nagging thought.  How do you reach a person that needs to hear a challenging message but also needs to hear a message of hope?  I wonder if some of you change agents out there have the same questions. That is where I’m going … Continue reading IN THE TRENCHES

SHADES OF GRAY

In a recent conversation with my daughter a situation with a probation client came up.  She’s in school pursuing her bachelor’s in social work (BSW) degree and I sometimes share stories to “infect” her with my skewed views about life. As I shared about an encounter with a probation client recently, an image came into … Continue reading SHADES OF GRAY

THE LIMP

(My thoughts are constantly evolving. I'm challenged by differing perspectives and will always be open to reviewing and revising. This is just where I stand at this point in time.) One of the biggest impacts in my life was when I came to the realization that so many of my probation clients over the years…those … Continue reading THE LIMP

IS THIS JUST POSITIVE-THINKING #$@!%

There’s an advantage to stepping back and taking a deep breath…perhaps gathering a bit clearer perspective.  I wrote the outline for this post three days ago when the experience was fresh and my emotions were a bit on edge.  I’ve cleaned it up and chosen more appropriate wording today.  I was frustrated, angry, and doing … Continue reading IS THIS JUST POSITIVE-THINKING #$@!%

A FUNDAMENTAL MESSAGE

THE IMPORTANCE OF FUNDAMENTALS I’ve had a number of new followers on this blog in recent months, so I want to touch on something I’ve noticed in previous posts…but it’s so important moving forward.  I want to acknowledge that there are some points I make that are repetitive from time-to-time.  Initially, my thought was to … Continue reading A FUNDAMENTAL MESSAGE

EMPOWERMENT BEGINS WITH ACCOUNTABILITY

I’ve got the message (the title of this post) in a picture hanging on my office wall at work: it’s a message for my clients; it’s a message for me.  With so many of my probation clients, we must move through a process of blaming others, whether it be law-enforcement, a spouse or significant other, … Continue reading EMPOWERMENT BEGINS WITH ACCOUNTABILITY

MOVE THE CHAINS

WE’LL START WITH MICHAEL My last appointment on a Friday afternoon has consistently been Michael.  I’m not quite sure why I like him so much…he’s such a pain in my ass sometimes, but man, I’m really rooting for him to win in this life. Michael walked in yesterday wearing his usual big smile and we … Continue reading MOVE THE CHAINS

Not Feeling It Today…

We'll keep this one short... THERE MUST BE BALANCE The words in the picture above came into my mind about 2 minutes into my elliptical workout last night. I spent the morning and early afternoon looking forward to my workout that evening, but as the afternoon moved on, I began to feel mentally worn out. … Continue reading Not Feeling It Today…