Our family farm has mostly disappeared. The land still flows, but the homestead signs are almost gone. When I went to our family farm last year, I snapped this picture. These grain bins are the last reminders that a family worked this land. One of the odd things about them is they were present before [...]
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What Does Peace Mean to You?
In this moment, I close my eyes and think about peace. My mind weaves together different thoughts that drop out: Peace is a home where there is laughter, cuddling, and quiet moments of just feeling good about all that is around. Peace is getting lost in the lyrics of song. Peace is teenagers who do [...]
Connect Now: Real Community
Every community has good things and bad. Some people may dominate. Some voices may be lost or, worse, unheard. Everything may look imperfect. Some things may look too perfect. It is no different in social media communities. Two years ago, Twitter saved my life. This sounds dramatic, I know, yet there is a kernel of [...]
2011: Top 10 Most Read Posts
Yesterday, I highlighted my least read posts that were written in 2011, so it is only fair to highlight the most read ones, too! Each of the posts outlined below were written in 2011 and received the highest traffic, according to Google Analytics. Here is the list of the most read posts of 2011: What [...]
2011: My Top 10 Least Read Posts
As we look back, we evaluate things that went wrong as well as the things that went right. Writing is no different, so I went back and looked at what my top 10 least read posts were. Here they are for all to ignore… again! 1. The Meaning of the Middle Series: A Wrap – [...]
What Happens When the Pause Button Is Hit on Your Life?
Our life has some momentum. The direction and intensity of the motion will vary by person, but we are people on the move. We choose. We act. We defer. So, what happens when the big “Pause” button is hit? This question has been jingling in my mind since my brother’s accident, and it kindled again [...]
Holiday Purity: Let Thanksgiving Breathe
I love what Nordstrom did. They placed signs that said, essentially, we are going to honor Thanksgiving; no other holiday decorations will be put out until this holiday is celebrated! Job well done. Thanksgiving needs some breathing room. It is a special time, generally uncommercialized and focused on the simple value of thankfulness. After all, [...]
What Are Soul Sparks?
I believe in soul sparks. Do you? Soul sparks are those small ignitions of inspiration that can fan into big changes, new directions, or fresh works. They come from deep down inside you, yet make your body and mind shake with the excitement of the possibilities. These are soul sparks. There are different types of [...]
How Twitter Inspired My First eBook
Last week, I made available my first ebook – Your Glass of Life: Growing. Social media instigated it. Although my life and thoughts are in the words, it came together by getting involved with Twitter and engaging fully in what this community offers. Here is the story of how Your Glass of Life came together. [...]
I Just Want to Sing!
I would love to be able to sing! Singing brings joy to people all around. Singing raises spirits and inspires minds. Songs express what is sometime hard to put into words. Being able to just sing would make my life seem so much more passionate and easier to express. Of course, I cannot sing or [...]
About the Writer
Welcome! I’m Jon, and these are my thoughts on life, leading, and meaning. Our choices define us, so let's make the best ones possible. Join the conversation.9 New, New Leadership Principles
