The Swamp
The Swamp calls the shots. The Swamp works on its own time, not ours, and in its own way, not ours. How long we spend in The Swamp is usually determined by how willing we are to honor The Swamp. …
Renaming The Neutral Zone
William Bridges’ model and his book label the phase between Endings and New Beginnings, ‘The Neutral Zone.’ ‘The Neutral Zone’ is such a clean and clinical term, midway between positive and negative. I think Bridges wimped out by giving such …
Three Phases of Transition
William Bridges wrote Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes. It’s a slim book, only 159 pages. But it holds a perspective that has helped me navigate many transitions, over many years. Bridges distinguishes between change and transition. Change is the …
Navigating Transitions
I’m renaming this new series. Instead of ‘Managing Transitions,’ I want to call it ‘Navigating Transitions.’ ‘Navigating’ is a more accurate label for the behavior required. ‘Managing’ implies that the things being managed are under your control. But often, during …
Transition to Transitions
I write these blog posts in a yellow composition notebook, then type them up. Last Saturday I ran out of pages. Before I start a new notebook—this next one is black—I look through the old one. I want to make …
The Black Brigade
According to the description, ‘Judge William Martin Dickson, who favored enlisting black soldiers in the Union Army, assumed command of the brigade, composed of 1,000 African American volunteers determined to fight to end slavery. From September 2-20, they cleared forests …
Bias in Brass
Does Cincinnati have higher regard for its German or Irish immigrants? Well, let’s check the signs. All you need to do is read the titles: You see—and maybe feel—the difference, yes? But the really important sign is this one: This …
Your True Self
Your True Self Isn’t so much someone you find As someone you allow yourself to be. You give permission. You create space. You let go of excuses and denial. You put your toe in the water. And if you like …
Test Drive
“Life is to be lived. If you have to support yourself, you had bloody well better find some way that is going to be interesting. And you don’t do that by sitting around wondering about yourself.” Katherine Hepburn Once upon …
The Mirror
. I lift my head, look up, and say, “They’re not listening!” And then I ask, “How well am I listening? . “They don’t understand!” How hard am I working to understand? . “They’re funding the wrong things!” What am …