by Charlene Fike

Are you someone who reads one book at a time before going to the next one? Or, are you like me and have several going at the same time?

If I'm only reading one book at a time I get paralyzed and have a hard time finishing it. I discovered long ago to have several books handy to match whatever mood I'm in.

So here's what I'm currently reading:

The Inevitable

This book was highly recommended by two people I respect. They know me well. It's given me a lot to process about our changing future as it relates to technology. This book feeds the 'geeky' part of me that want to understand my world better. Sadly, it probably won't make it onto my Bookshelf. I'd love to discuss the ideas with someone who'd read it, but I'm not sure it's a book I'd return to more than once.

What the Mystics Know

This is the most current Richard Rohr book and I'm a fan. Why haven't I added any of his books to my shelf yet? Gotta fix that! Anyway, Rohr helps nurture and feed the part of me that...

by Justin Fike

I've been thinking a lot about all of the various "fronts" of activity and responsibility that my wife and I are managing and trying to push out these days. Spreading all the different pieces and initiatives out on the table is extremely helpful.

My wife and I have definitely developed some helpful patterns and muscles for managing busyness effectively, which I decided to share here. So, in no particular order, here's some thoughts about how I've come to think about "surfing the wave" instead of being buried by it.

A disclaimer: these thoughts are expressed in the voice I use when talking to myself, which tends to be fairly blunt and uncompromising because that's often what I need. I absolutely understand that everyone's life and circumstances are different, and I'm not trying to imply that this is the Super Secret System(tm) that would make everyone's life work if they just followed it. This is simply my attempt to share the thoughts and patterns that...

by Charlene Fike

Ever go about your day and unexpectedly a message you needed to hear appears?

Yesterday I was walking across the plaza outside my front door. I do this several times a week by the way. I looked down and someone left a message. I had to take a picture of it.

That got me thinking. All of us every day are given this choice. What will you do today to leave your mark? Gandhi said it well,

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

I believe an effective way to serve is through small acts of kindness developed into everyday habits. They may seem like little things but most of us can recall a time when a seemingly little thing like a kind word, a helping hand, or a sticker on the floor leave a memorable mark and brighten someone's day.

Let's go out and leave our mark on the world around us!