The BOLD (The Danger of a Single Story) In February, 2017, TEDxRVA held a salon entitled The Danger of a Single Narrative. Our intention was to mark Black History Month by highlighting the need for multiple perspectives in order to fully understand our history. At the salons, we would show TED videos from other parts of the […]
The Energy Account: What Are You Saving It For?
The BOLD (The Most Personal Account) Yesterday, I found myself walking two and a half miles in Rockwood Park with my husband, doing intervals, and getting my heart rate elevated. He has offered to train me for endurance so that we can undertake longer and more challenging hikes in the future. Exercise exacts a high fee. The […]
The Aspirational Contact: Next Level Networking
The BOLD (Why Not Ask?) There was a movie reviewer whose reviews I disliked. I disagreed with almost all of his conclusions and took issue with many of his opinions. Being young and foolish, I was vocal about my objections. This was foolish because it said more about me than it was ever going to say about him. It […]
The Orchard Sabbatical: Leveraging This Season to Serve the Next
The BOLD (I Wish You Growth Here) Sitting on a rock that jutted out into the air at the highest elevation on the Skyline Drive, I watched three ravens fly in joyous formation, flipping over each other, wing tips rippling in the wind. The sky was startlingly blue and clear all the way down to the […]
The Graceful Transition: Ditch Multi-Tasking to Achieve More
The BOLD (Rock the in Between) One day this week I sank into my pillow mentally listing all the things I’d accomplished that day. The list was impressive and gratifying. It had been a very, very productive day. At the same time, there also days in my life where I cross the finish line with almost no sense […]
The Novelty Method: Ensure Happy Memories by Embracing Firsts
The BOLD (Worth the Memory) I’m reading an excellent book right now entitled The Art of Making Memories: How to Create and Remember Happy Moments. The author, Meik Wiking, is a researcher who studies happiness. In this book, he explores the ways in which happy memories are formed and the benefits of retaining them. Great memories result from […]
The Intentional Wobble: Cultivating Flexibility
The BOLD (Bend and Stretch) It is difficult to remember, as we sit almost perfectly still at home, that our best stance is flexibility. How can we need to be flexible when the days are, as many have noted, unfolding in an eerie Groundhog Day. How much flexibility is needed moving from the bed to the desk […]
The Full-Bodied Life: Living All The Way To Your Toes
The BOLD (Living All In) For much of my life, I lived in my head. I relied on thoughts and words and ideas. The rest of me was this annoying place that didn’t move fast enough, that harbored aches and that needed stuff. Geez. All that began to change a few years ago. On my journey to introduce my […]
The Personal Board: Who Sits at Your Table?
The BOLD (Who Is on Your Team?) A few years ago, I volunteered with an organization that helped entrepreneurs start businesses in the east end of Richmond. One of the organizers, Gunnar Bartels, would ask the participants, “Who is on your team?” Often, they would look surprised at that question. They would remind him that they were […]