We get to choose how we treat others. We get to choose how we approach each day, hour, and moment of our lives. While I am aware that the journey of life is hard, it is also full of opportunities.

A tribute to military service members and their families, highlighting the inspiring commitment of young people like Tatum who choose to serve and protect our nation.

Learn how to engage and check in with others with others in a way that resonates with their individual personality style.

Take a listen to the latest episode of our Crossing the Line podcast, where we talk about how to practice everyday reconciliation in our lives and relationships.

Larry and his daughter Ren engage in a conversation about navigating political differences within the family by prioritizing relationships and understanding over divisive opinions.

In this recent episode of Crossing The Line we discuss how to deal with the storms in our lives and in our relationships.

Improving relationships takes intentional effort, and it starts with prioritizing others over our own pride and ego, creating deeper connections in a self-centered world.

Reducing screen time and being present can improve communication and strengthen relationships, ending the epidemic of cell phone obsession.

Learn how to focus on effective feedback and constructive criticism in order to preserve positive communication in relationships.

Learn how to replace assumptions with curiosity by asking questions.

Choose words that encourage respect and understanding to foster collaboration during difficult conversations.

Learn how being open about your insecurities and practicing self-awareness can lead to deeper, more meaningful relationships with others.

Someone was telling me about a device used for sleep issues. It's designed to help prevent mouth breathing at night by keeping the mouth closed. As they were telling me about this device and the improved sleep they’d been getting since they started using it, I thought about the fact that keeping our mouths closed is not only important for getting better-quality sleep, but for building better-quality relationships as well. 

We were in Kentucky exploring part of the famous Bourbon Trail. As we toured different facilities, I was amazed at the different yet very similar stories I was hearing about bourbon, families, farmers, struggles and the recent boom. We were at one small distillery that offered a unique experience.  I noticed that one of the team members, Evan, was especially skilled at his craft. This is where the fun started for me. I walked up to Evan and began a conversation. I eventually asked his expert opinion on the barrels that we were observing. He was hesitant at first to give me his opinion, not wanting to sway me in one direction. Eventually, as I kept asking questions, he revealed his wisdom to me.

It was the first day of school for her twin, nine-year-old girls and their mom wanted to celebrate. After school, she took the girls to an elaborate ice cream shop that offered all kinds of special ice cream combinations, toppings and flavors. She wanted to give her twins a special experience, so she told them, “You can have whatever you want”. After looking over the entire menu of ice cream offerings, they both decided on a simple waffle cone with one scoop of plain chocolate ice cream on it. As hard as she tried to get them to order something more “special,” they stuck with their choice. Later she said, “I had in my mind this wonderful experience of the girls ordering these huge ice cream extravaganzas, but at the end of the day, all they wanted was a simple cone.”

The drama, the controversy, the intrigue…. we have seen all of these in the Paris 2024 Olympics. It has been amazing for me to watch the incredible athletes who have prepared and worked with such discipline to have this opportunity. Just as amazing to me have been the support groups that I have witnessed with these athletes.

To watch the families who have been with them on their long journey celebrate or comfort their loved ones in competition is a reminder of the importance of relationships. None of the Olympians made it to Paris by themselves. They all had friends, family, coaches and teammates who encouraged, challenged and supported them. Many of the athletes recognized and thanked those who supported and helped them accomplish this dream.

There is one investment that is more important than any financial portfolio. I’m referring to the investment we make in our families. Strong families are undoubtedly linked to better emotional health and positive behavior. The truth is that many families and relationships are broken or struggling. The good news is that no matter the make-up of your family, there are things you can do to improve your home team relationships. 

Many times, it is not that we do not want to invest; it is that we do not know how to invest. Part 2 of the CTL podcast gives you the tools you need to successfully invest in and engage your family team. Take a minute and listen to this short podcast on Investing in our Home Team.

No matter the makeup of your family structure, being intentional about creating a home of safety and respect is essential for emotional health. Allowing each member of your family to feel validated and a part of the team will not happen unless you are willing to work at it. This means creating opportunities to talk, learning how to truly listen, and committing to understanding the personality of each member of your family team.

Take a minute and listen to our latest episode of Crossing The Line where we discuss how to create a family team. There are lots of takeaways for families as well as for the teams you are a part of at work. Things are changing, but the importance of our family team is something that will never change. Take the time to invest in those you call your family and you will make a difference.

I told someone the other day that we are living in a culture that has forgotten what civility is all about. I recently visited the John F Kennedy Library in Boston, Massachusetts. As I watched videos and read articles about life in the 60s, I was shocked by the respect and civility that we used to have as a country. I realize that there were exceptions, but overall it was different (and much more civil) back then. Political opponents generally restrained from personally attacking one another and there was a standard of accepted behavior that we have long forgotten in the political and personal arena.

He came up behind me in the big box store parking lot and began asking for money. It was a familiar story of needing gas for his car which was nowhere in sight. He had his pitch down and was very good at persisting even as I was loading my vehicle. Honestly, I just wanted him to go away. Then I thought about offering to meet him at the gas station (which I knew he was not able to do) and then assess his gas needs. I settled on giving him a few bucks which he accepted and went on his way.