“So what kind of program are you in?” I got that wonderful question from a reader the other day. She was referred by a friend, has been reading this weekly column, and was finding them helpful for her own life (can I just say  AMEN! I LOVE to hear that!)

Core beliefs can be tricky. They account for the attitudes, behaviors and results we experience. Tricky because they live in a place we don't always recognize, our subconscious brain. 

I am lucky. I enjoy my friends. I love my friends. I don’t have a whole bunch of them, and I like that too.

It’s difficult to watch our friends and loved ones struggle. Heck it’s hard to be the one struggling right?

You can’t read social media, a magazine or feature section of the newspaper (remember those?) without coming across friendly advice on how to hack something.

In my world of coaching, I talk and read a lot about emotions. I think we’re clear that feelings come from thoughts.

Stories. The narratives we create. We all have ‘em…..and we adopt them as truth. They can begin very early, and stay with us a long time. 

What do I mean by that? The notion came to me a little while back, and it won't let me go. I guess I mean, the raw you. The original. You without the extras. 

Is that just the saddest thought?  Makes you kind of want a do-over right? To miss the moments that actually matter in your life? It’s sad because of the missed potential, and so unnecessary. 

It’s a crossroads. Empty bedroom, empty spot at the dinner table, quiet where there was once commotion. No more jerseys to wash, rides to coordinate, meals to plan and schedules to sync.

What I really want to explore is our behavior regarding politics and the reason for it …it’s a compelling study. Stay with me.

When was the last time you had a heart-to-heart with yourself? Or do you stay too busy to let that happen? Gotcha!

“I'm the Captain now.” A line from the Tom Hanks movie Captain Phillips. In the film, pirates board and abduct a shipping vessel and basically turn everything on it's head.

"I now see that owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do."-Brene Brown

It seems once we get to a “certain age” (puleeease!) discussions and thoughts begin about a life’s purpose (I guess it's better than gallbladders?)

Please tell me I’m not the only one. I can conjure many do-over fantasies.

And I’m not talking about the time I slammed my son Jack’s fingers in the car door when he was a little guy (although I do wish I hadn’t.)

“Human beings are works in progress that mistakenly think they are finished.” -Dr. Daniel Gilbert.

I changed it up a bit two weeks ago, and many of you liked it, so today here are three more quotes, some thoughts and another question. The theme today is future thinking, which is the bedrock of PURPOSE…. And you KNOW I love Purpose!

What is the kindest thing you have ever witnessed? A token or gift given to someone in celebration of a milestone? Birthday, wedding, graduation, divorce, promotion, new home? Those are nice, and yes, thoughtful (keep ‘em coming!..ok you know I’m a kidder!)

“Most people don’t get what they want, they get what they tolerate. The difference is their standards.” -Tony Robbins