Last week I lost a friend to cancer. When I heard the news, I wasn’t sad. I was grateful. Here’s why: I’d known Pola Kelley for ten years. First, as the Executive Director of the Sedro Woolley Chamber, one of six local chambers in Skagit County, Northwest Washington. Then, through various photo and video projects...Read More
In light of the undignified behavior we witnessed during the recent Academy Awards, I’ve considered what it takes to emcee with success. In my experience, success boils down to your ability to facilitate with finesse by keeping five key principles in play. Demonstrating finesse in facilitation can be as simple as ensuring a meeting starts...Read More
Breast Cancer Chronicle #1: Diagnosis. Below is the first video I shared following my breast cancer diagnosis in October 2021. The bad news came only days after my 30th wedding anniversary. “Happy anniversary…you’ve got cancer!” I was in shock, of course. But quickly bounced out of it to gather information. Over the next six weeks,...Read More
The other day, I shared with my mother how ‘nervous’ I felt before a recent high-stakes presentation. She was genuinely surprised to hear this and remarked, “YOU? Nervous? The Confidence Lady?” I laughed and replied, “I ALWAYS get nervous. That’s how I know I’m ready.” And it’s true. “If I weren’t nervous,” I said, “I’d...Read More
I’ve always said that I learn so much more in moments where things don’t turn out as I’d hoped or anticipated. These moments of ‘defeat’ have shown up as feelings of shock, anger, sadness, disbelief, self-doubt, and shame; a smorgasbord of negative feelings that can take a while to sort themselves out. However, over the...Read More
I can still recall the first time I saw The Sound of Music. My dad took me to see it at our local movie theater. I sat spellbound as I was swept away through music and story. My future was clear. I wanted to be Julie Andrews. The next day I hopped over our back...Read More
Recent Comments