Entering 2021, with vaccines not yet available and all of us hunkered down and staying safe, here are some questions to consider (I… — Entering 2021, with vaccines not yet available and all of us hunkered down and staying safe, here are some questions to consider (I suggest writing responses to these and cognitive journaling): What’s the first thing you want to do when COVID is under control? What has been the most disturbing…

Intentional Life Planning during COVID-19 presents its fair share of challenges — really, it’s challenging to plan anything without… — Intentional Life Planning during COVID-19 presents its fair share of challenges — really, it’s challenging to plan anything without knowing when or if there will be a vaccine for this coronavirus. Recently I had an interesting conversation with my friend Norene Gonsiewski, LCSW, who suggested we all ask ourselves:

It’s fascinating how much longer we all are living, although in this Time of COVID, lives are tragically being cut short by this awful… — It’s fascinating how much longer we all are living, although in this Time of COVID, lives are tragically being cut short by this awful virus. When I was growing up, so many people made it to their 70s. Then more lived into their 80s. Now, how many people do we…

Time is our most precious commodity. — Time is our most precious commodity. We only have so much of it. Sometimes we are given gifts of time, like if: A client cancels a meeting. A dinner date falls through. A trip gets canceled. A date stands us up. You could get disappointed or angry. But let it…

How does one intentionally plan their life in this Time of COVID? We don’t know where this pandemic is going, when it will end, whether we… — How does one intentionally plan their life in this Time of COVID? We don’t know where this pandemic is going, when it will end, whether we or our loved ones will become sick, and what our employment and financial ramifications will be. Some of the things my wife, Melinda, and…

Earlier this year, I had the great honor of joining about 70 members of the Bend Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professional DevLabs program… — Earlier this year, I had the great honor of joining about 70 members of the Bend Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professional DevLabs program to lead them through a two-hour introduction to Intentional Life Planning. Thank you to First Interstate Bank for providing copies of “Write, Open, Act: An Intentional Life…

In his seminal book “Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End,” author and surgeon Atul Gawande writes about Stanford… — In his seminal book “Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End,” author and surgeon Atul Gawande writes about Stanford psychologist Laura L. Carstensen’s research, focusing on her hypothesis: “How we seek to spend our time may depend on how much time we perceive ourselves to have.”

“You have 30 seconds to leave your message, so choose your words wisely.” This was the outgoing voicemail message of my children’s… — “You have 30 seconds to leave your message, so choose your words wisely.” This was the outgoing voicemail message of my children’s grandfather, Leo, a brilliant professor and writer who lived in San Francisco. His words were well-chosen: We have only so much time, so we must use it well.

Last month, Amy and Jason Varga of Portland, both in their mid-40s and with kids 6 and 8 years old, booked a couples’ life planning… — Last month, Amy and Jason Varga of Portland, both in their mid-40s and with kids 6 and 8 years old, booked a couples’ life planning weekend in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area using “Write, Open, Act: An Intentional Life Planning Workbook.” Amy gave an overview of the experience…