my gardening story
My gardening story is full of happiness, learning, and gratitude—but it begins with one of the worst experiences of my childhood. The summer before kindergarten, I suffered a severe concussion that left me hospitalized for…
a tribute to Richard Sondah
Today, I found myself thinking about Richard Sondah, someone I worked with during my years as executive director of the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless (MCH). Although we were no longer working closely together when…
What are the benefits of forgiveness?
As this question notes, withholding forgiveness can function as a kind of self-harm. I just finished reading, The How of Happiness, by Sonja Lyubomirsky. In it, she points to a substantial body of research showing that…
Will we end poverty?
Some people say America will never end poverty. I think that reflects a defeatist view of history. Poverty is not a fixed concept. While there may always be people whom we classify as poor, the…
Breakdancing
Mr. Bobo is a breakdancing wizard. Pictured here, you can see some of the Gang gather as he prepares to do a head spin to Harold Faltermeyer's primo 80's hit, "Axel F." Everyone is chanting,…
losing my prior identity; finding my new self
Six and a half years ago, I experienced a severe episode of Depression and Anxiety. Since then, much of my emotional energy has been spent trying to claw my way back to the person I…
dandelions versus lawns
A few weeks ago, I shared that my puppy Franco and I take long walks every Saturday and Sunday morning. We use that time to solve the world's problems—or, more accurately, I try to solve…
I value good government.
I value good government and good government services provided on the local, state, and federal level. There are many times I've relied on government, and it was there. I am proud to help pay for…
To err is human. To beat oneself up is Michael.
Low self-esteem paired with anxiety is a miserable combination. Because of those anxiety-shaped thought patterns, I frequently call myself stupid—out loud at home and under my breath in public. I blow my mistakes out of…
Deepening Anxiety
I hate it when anxiety freezes my mind. It's as though my brain transforms from a functioning—sometimes even joyful—organ into a block of concrete: frozen, immobilized, locked in a hyper-defensive posture, preparing for an attack…