Want to be more interesting? Start by being more interested.
(Yeah, I know—go figure.)

Last week, I caught myself mid-conversation planning what I wanted to say next.
The other person was still talking.
I wasn’t being rude, just... distracted by my own story.

That moment reminded me:
The best conversations usually aren’t the ones where we impress people.
They’re the ones where people feel seen.

Ask a question.
Listen longer.
Let someone else shine.

You don’t have to be dazzling—just present.
That’s what people remember.

Create your life.
🍨
Waypoint 327 (Y7 W15)

Fear shows up. You don’t have to go with it.

Love leads somewhere more true.

What opens when you gently say no to fear?

What grows when you bravely say yes to love?

The world feels heavy sometimes.

You don’t have to carry it all.

Let fear go.

Choose love.

Create your life.

🍨

Waypoint 326 (Y7 W14)

Some things just taste like summer.

☀️🍦

Vanilla tops my list—simple, classic, satisfying.

But if you hand me a scoop with cherries or berries mixed in?

I won’t say no.

As my grandfather used to say, “Ice cream just fills in the cracks.”

I’ve found that to be true—there’s always room for a little joy.

What’s your go-to flavor—the one that makes everything feel right with the world?

🤔

Life moves fast. Deadlines pile up. Responsibilities stretch long.

It can all feel heavy—full of schedules, expectations, and “shoulds.”

A scoop of ice cream reminds me to slow down.

To savor something small and meaningful.

To remember that delight doesn’t need a reason.

Sometimes the smallest, sweetest things remind us to pause and enjoy the moment.

Ice cream doesn’t solve everything… but it’s a good place to start.

Create your life.

🍨

Waypoint 325 (Y7 W13)

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” — Dalai Lama

Earlier this week, I drove to meet a friend.

Heading down a four-lane street, I saw a line of parked cars ahead in my lane.

I signaled and prepared to merge. The driver in the next lane didn’t let me in.

I got annoyed.

Now, if I may pat myself on the back – I've gotten much better at letting this kind of thing go.

But this one got under my skin.

Eventually, I merged and kept driving. But the moment lingered.

🤔

Why did I react so strongly?

I’ve worked hard on staying grounded behind the wheel.

Then it hit me: one of my core values felt violated.

Kindness.

To me, refusing to let someone merge feels unkind.

And when that value gets stomped on – even by a stranger – it triggers something.

The other driver had no idea.

And consciously, neither did I.

But underneath, it struck a nerve.

Not until I paused to reflect did I see the connection.

💡

Do you know your core values?

Identifying them often kicks off the coaching work I do with clients.

Values give structure to fulfillment.

They serve as a compass for decision-making and emotional insight.

Values + Aligned Action = Enjoyment

So next time something irritates you, ask yourself:

Which of my values feels ignored or disrespected right now?

And if you’re not sure what your values are – I’d love to help.

🙌

Let’s circle back to the Dalai Lama’s words:

Be kind.

To others.

To yourself.

In traffic.

Create your life.

🍨

Waypoint 324 (Y7 W12)

I'm at war. 😮

With those wascally wabbits living in my yard and my neighbor’s.

We planted Orange Lilies a couple of years ago.

That first summer? Pure magic—tall stems, bold color, beautiful blooms.

The next? Total devastation. The rabbits devoured the plants before the buds even appeared.

My yard served up what I can only imagine was a delightful salad.

They left nothing but sad little stalks.

This year, I decided enough was enough.

I caged the plants like they were something worth protecting—because I wanted to see them grow.

And guess what?

It worked.

Those lilies are in full, glorious bloom this week. 🌞

That got me thinking: what else in life deserves that kind of protection?

Some things bloom only when we guard them with care.

Time with loved ones, our energy, our sense of purpose.

They all deserve some kind of fence.

It’s easy to let distractions nibble away at the things that keep us grounded.

We often protect our possessions better than our peace of mind.

What if we got just as serious about defending our boundaries as we do our flowerbeds?

Not out of fear, but out of love—for what brings us joy, meaning, and connection.

Because when we protect what matters, we make room for it to fully bloom.

Create your life.

🍨

Waypoint 323 (Y7 W11)

Laying the foundation for what’s next.

The seeds don’t stand a chance if the soil isn’t ready. 🌱

Last weekend, I got to work in the garden - rototilling the ground, breaking up the hardened earth, mixing in peat moss and mushroom compost, leveling it all out.

It’s not glamorous, but it’s necessary.

Before anything grows, the soil has to be ready.

Growth doesn’t begin with what you see above the surface.

It begins with intention, preparation, and care.

Same goes for life.

Before a new chapter can take root, you often need to prepare the foundation - physically, mentally, emotionally.

This kind of groundwork sets the stage for what comes next.

Maybe you’re preparing for a new project, building healthier habits, or navigating a major transition.

Whatever it is, every strong beginning starts with intention.

The prep work may not feel exciting, but it’s the starting point for something meaningful.

Before anything thrives, the foundation must be ready.

Create your life.

🍨

Waypoint 322 (Y7 W10)

Have you ever put something off, not because you're afraid it will fail, but because you’re afraid it might actually work? 😯

I’ve been there.

Still am, honestly.

For the past few weeks, I’ve been working on a quiz, something I’m excited about and proud of.

At first, I wrestled with perfectionism. Tweaking. Editing. Second-guessing.

But recently, I realized it’s not just about getting it right.

It’s about fear.

Not of failure.

Of success.

Bam. That was quite a bit of self-realization.

What if I launch it and people actually engage with it?

What if it sparks real conversations, leads to new clients, or asks more of me than I’m ready for?

That kind of visibility can be just as scary as falling short.

I know I’m not alone in this.

We delay, we tinker, we tell ourselves we’re “almost ready.”

But sometimes, that’s just fear in disguise.

What would happen if the thing you’re avoiding… actually went well?

Are you ready to let it?

I'm sitting with these questions.

Maybe you are, too.

This post is part of my own transition from hesitation to action.

Stay tuned. I'm almost ready to share something I believe will help others reflect, plan, and reimagine what’s next.

It’s an exciting project and I'm eager to show you.

Create Your Life.

🍨

Waypoint 321 (Y7 W9)

I’m tired.

I’ve stayed up too late, too often.

And gotten up really early, too.

When I’m tired, I eat whatever’s nearby.

I drift from the choices I want to make.

And yet… here I am.

Even tired, I’m honoring a small promise to myself—to continue this practice and keep leaning into what’s real.

Not perfect. Just human.

Create your life.

🍨

Waypoint 320 (Y7 W8)

On our recent road trip, my wife and I checked out our lodge's lounge.

A sign caught our eye, above the door heading to an outdoor deck.

“Come sit on the patio with me. The drinks are cold and the friendship’s free.”

Simple words that struck me.

It wasn’t just a sign.

It was a reminder.

So often, life moves fast, and we forget the power of slowing down, being present, and connecting.

This sign was an invitation to step out of the rush.

It spoke to me about the importance of nurturing friendships, sharing good moments, and creating space where connection can thrive.

That kind of open invitation is powerful, not just for a cozy evening but for all of life’s seasons.

The drinks might be cold, but the moments we share? They’re always warm.

And the friendships we cultivate? They’re priceless.

In our busy world, it’s easy to overlook the simplicity of inviting someone into our lives, to sit, chat, and enjoy the presence of others.

In our busyness, it's also easy to overlook opportunities to accept an invitation. (Guilty!)

This sign reminded me how essential it is to create those moments, whether on a patio or in the quiet of our homes.

Moments when we can simply be.

Who might need an invitation like that today?

Who might benefit from a moment of connection?

It’s not the perfect setting that matters.

It’s the people we choose to share it with.

Create your life, one invitation at a time.

🍨

Ah, Springtime! 🌷

My wife and I recently visited a local park filled with blooming tulips and lilac bushes.

As a bonus, we enjoyed live music while wandering among the flowers.

What a glorious way to spend a Saturday afternoon! 😎

All around our neighborhood, the signs of spring exist.

Leaves are emerging. 🌿

Flowers are blossoming. 🌼

The natural world is stirring and waking up.

As the seasons shift, it's a perfect time to reflect on the transitions unfolding in our own lives.

What new beginnings are taking root within you?

I invite you to connect with your inner wisdom, the strength and clarity that lives at your core.

Look around and take inspiration from nature, the flowers and trees.

What idea, hope, or dream has been lying dormant, just waiting to bloom?

What small step can you take toward your own blossoming?

Create your life.

🍨

Waypoint 317 (Y7 W5)

What’s one small thing you could do today to make someone happy?

A kind word, a quick message, a simple act of care.

Big or small, your gesture might brighten someone’s entire day.

And here’s the magic — notice how you feel afterward.

Happiness has a way of spreading. 🌟

Create your life.

🍨

Waypoint 316 (Y7 W4)

"We're not getting older, we're getting wiser."

I remember hearing that from my grandmother when I was young.

Later, my mom would say the same thing.

Earlier this week, I caught myself repeating it to a friend who was lamenting an upcoming birthday:

"How did we ever get to be this old…?"

First off, we're not that old.

Second, I really believe age is just a number.

Sure, our bodies take longer to bounce back.

But we carry a lot of wisdom between our ears - and it's meant to be shared.

Like many parenting moments, I find it amusing when words tumble out of my mouth that I once heard growing up.

What phrases or sayings do you remember from your grandmother, other family members, friends, or colleagues?

Do you find yourself repeating them now that you're getting wiser?

Create your life.

🍨

Waypoint 315 (Y7 W3)

Earlier this week, I returned to one of my favorite happy places - Lurie Garden in Chicago’s Millennium Park.

Even on a gray, cloudy day, it offered the kind of peace I can count on.

Nestled in the middle of a bustling city, this garden is a quiet refuge where I get to slow down.

Spring is just beginning to wake up.

Tiny buds poking through the soil, early flower blooms starting to open, hints of color emerging.

Roughly three more weeks until the garden will be bursting like the picture below from almost this time last year.

What makes this place so meaningful to me?

It is not just its beauty.

It is what it invites me to do.

Breathe.

Pause.

Notice.

I often listen to a meditation when I visit, letting the sounds of the city fade into the background as I reconnect with the rhythm of nature.

I can find stillness in the middle of skyscrapers and sirens.

Lurie Garden reminds me that peace doesn’t require isolation.

Peaceful moments can exist side by side with movement and noise.

That contrast is part of the magic.

Do you have a happy place like Lurie Garden?

A spot where your shoulders relax, your breath deepens, and your thoughts settle?

Create your life.

🍨

P.S. Lurie Garden is 2.5 acres of Chicago's Millennium Park dedicated to eco-friendly botanical landscaping with city views. (Thank you, Google Maps, for the description.)

Waypoint 314 (Y7 W2)

Chapter Seven begins!

👍

Ever notice how easy it is to focus on what you’re not good at?

The better part of my life has been spent seeking perfection. I often focused on - heck, I still do - what I didn’t do well or where I could improve. The pursuit is exhausting.

As a recovering perfectionist, it’s hard not to notice the chinks in the armor.

But in recent years, I’ve tried to shift my focus toward what I do well. Like:

👉 Identifying flavors in a great meal or a “barley pop” 🍺

👉 Discovering music that moves me

👉 Fixing or building just about anything

👉 Connecting with people

👉 Creating and holding space for listening and sharing

Of course, I could make a list of things I want to do differently, too.

What about you? Where do you tend to focus your attention?

Let’s choose to focus on our strengths—not our weaknesses.

It’s a conscious choice.

Choose to amplify your strengths.

Create your life.

🍨

P.S. Starting this week, I’m adding a little marker to each Thursday Thought. It’s a simple way to track the journey - a milestone along the path. This is Milestone 7.1. Thanks for walking with me.