I’m trying to explain why you shouldn’t eat the whole chocolate cake by yourself – it seems delicious in the moment, but you’ll regret it later. We’re talking about premarital cohabitation, or as most folks call it these days, “moving in together before marriage.” You know the drill: you’ve been dating for a while, things […]
Stop Cringing at Feedback! How to Turn Criticism into Your Superpower
Think about that time you tried to help your cousin fix his leaky faucet and ended up flooding the bathroom. You meant well, but the result was a mess. Now imagine if he’d just said, “Hey, Bojangles, next time, maybe turn off the main water valve first?” instead of yelling about soaked towels. Feedback can […]
Trade the Cape for a Carrying Cloth: Why Real Leaders Are Servants, Not Superstars
Well now, I was just thinkin’ about our ol’ mayor back in ‘89. He wanted to build a new city hall, and he wasn’t shy about remindin’ everyone who was makin’ it happen. Had his name on the blueprints, for cryin’ out loud! Kept talkin’ about his “legacy.” Ended up bein’ the only one who […]
How to Give Feedback That Doesn’t Make Folks Quit
Tried to tell a grown man his fly is down at a family barbecue? You do it quick, you do it with a wink and a nod, and you pray the Lord’s mercy that he doesn’t notice before you can make your exit. Most of us are scared stiff of giving feedback because we’ve seen […]
Is Your Netflix Binge a Spiritual Marathon or a Moral Maraud?
I remember the time my boy brought home a video game that looked like it was straight from the ninth circle of Dante’s Inferno – I kid you not! The cover art had more gore than a butcher’s freezer and the dialogue would’ve made a sailor blush. His mom – bless her heart, she’s a […]
Stop Quitting Alone: Find Your Pod and Get Things Done
My wife, bless her heart, tried losing weight more times than I’ve had a good cup of coffee. Every New Year’s, she’d buy the fanciest fitness tracker, join the most expensive gym, and be full of fire for about three days. Then, that fire would dwindle down to a flicker, and by February, her new […]
Spotting the Charismatic Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Have you ever met a fella who could charm the birds right out of the trees? He’s got that smile, that voice like warm honey, and he can make you feel like you’re the only person in the world. You wanna believe him – heck, your mama taught you to be polite and give folks […]
Teams That Talk Win the Race! A Southern Guide to Breaking Down Silos
My son once brought home a science project from school. He’d built this magnificent looking volcano. It was painted perfectly, with little plastic palm trees scattered about. The whole thing looked like it belonged in a museum, not on a kitchen table. He was so proud – he’d spent days on the aesthetic appeal alone. […]
Grandparents Are the Faith’s Secret Weapon
You ever notice how a good barbecue can fix just about anything? It brings people together, gets ’em talking, laughing. There’s a comfort to it that you don’t find anywhere else. Well, faith ain’t all that different. And I reckon grandparents are the secret sauce in this divine recipe we call Catholicism. Now, before you […]