When the rock won’t move

Self-doubt is a powerful force. I’m staring up at a 15-foot sandstone rock wall, assessing how I’m going to climb it.  My son had already scrambled to the top like Spiderman, not intimidated by the small footholds or the hard surface he could have fallen down on below.  We had been climbing for 3 hours…

Hearing the “R” word

After investing so much emotion to support my brother Jeff in his cancer battle, I’m having trouble forming the words to express my joy over this.  Since so many of you followed the story, prayed for his health and gave money to my marathon fundraiser last year, I’d like you to hear the latest update…

Got, got, got, got no time

When you say “I don’t have time for that,” what are you really saying? I suppose it could literally be true. You can’t stop for coffee because you’re racing to catch a train. You have to skip your workout because you’re working late on a project due tomorrow. You don’t have time to write your…

Running on empty

16 miles into a 19-mile run and I’m starting to bonk. I’m training for a marathon and I’ve been faithfully putting in the miles. I just did 17 miles 2 weeks ago with no problem at all.  Why is today different?  Maybe it’s the heat.  Maybe I didn’t drink enough water.  Maybe I didn’t get…

If only I knew

This is an unsolicited letter written by my current self to my self at age eighteen. Feel free to share with young adults in your life if you dare. Dear Younger David: This is your future self coming back to give you some advice.  Yes, those science fiction movies are true and time travel is…

High anxiety

Clouds appear to be solid from a distance, especially dark, menacing cumulo-nimbus clouds rolling in over the foothills.  I was just out walking after lunch and I watched a plane flying through those dark clouds… shooting straight through that mass of water vapor without hesitation.  Imagine how terrifying it must have been for early aviators…

What do you know?

We’re surrounded by uncertainty.  It’s a destabilizing force that keeps us on alert, keeps us focused and keeps us from becoming lazily complacent.  In a way, it’s a good thing.  The trick is to NOT let it devolve from destabilizing to debilitating…. to NOT let it paralyze us with fear.  I think I just learned…

Just keep going – the video

I compete annually in the Toastmasters’ international speech contest. It’s a guaranteed way to raise your game if you speak in front of audiences of any size. My journey this year ended at the district level, but I took away several lessons along the way: I set out to do an “important” speech this year.…

The eve of deduction

Well it’s Saturday, May 21 and I’m still here. Therefore A) I do not qualify for heaven, or B) Harold Camping was a little off on his end-of-the-world prediction again. Though I must say he certainly got a lot of people talking and mocking.  I will also add that just because the end of days…

The fish of 10,000 casts

I’m chasing the sunset on a 737 headed back to San Jose.  I just spent some quality time with my dad and brothers on our annual fishing trip in northern Indiana.  While I thoroughly enjoyed scooting around Lake Webster looking for muskies, I couldn’t shake the feeling of déjà vu.  It’s been exactly a year…