I’ve always been fascinated by the sky. At night with the stars. During the day with clouds, the sun’s rays, and rainbows. Sunrises and sunsets are uniquely beautiful. It’s like an artist took a giant paintbrush and painted the sky like a canvas. Sunsets are my absolute favorite. I’ve been photographing them for years. Why? Because I need the reminder to slow down, reflect, and look up. Continue reading Look Up
Whether it’s a stop sign or a tome from the days of yore, reading does, in fact, save lives. I’m not sure why growing older makes me feel the need to throw out confessions, but here’s another from my archives. I wasn’t a big reader before college. My homeschool friends might disown me. Sure, I read for school, but not for fun. Who reads for fun, right? 😉 Let’s just say time changes perspective. Continue reading Reading Saves Lives
I have another confession. I’m just a guy who can’t say no. (Uhh…that sounded bad. I didn’t mean it that way.) I hate telling people no. There are many reasons why I think this is true. But I know there’s one main reason that guides my knee-jerk yes response: People pleasing. That’s right. I’m a people pleaser. Or rather a recovering people pleaser. I needed to learn the lessons below a long time ago. Continue reading Push the No Button
Stereotypes are often exaggerated, misguided, and offensive. But there can be elements of truth that guide the caricature. Millennials seem to be the brunt of many jokes, particularly in the workplace. But are all millennials spoiled, privileged, lazy, or self-absorbed, narcissistic, participation-award-winners? Not all of us. Continue reading Is there Hope for Millennials?
I like to smile. My reasons? Too many to count. Ice cream, laughing babies, funny movies, coffee, weddings, time with friends. What makes you smile? Have you asked that of others around you? One lesson I’ve absorbed in my first 29 years is this: Be the reason someone smiles today. Continue reading Be the Reason Someone Smiles Today
I grew up in a musical family and have always loved music, singing, and playing instruments. But confession time: Until I graduated college, I had the worst fear of singing in public. Shocking, perhaps? Well, thankfully the fear has lessened over the years. I enjoy singing in pretty much any setting now. Not sure how I’d handle karaoke though. Haven’t attempted that yet. Continue reading Sing a Song
J. Michael Hansen 