Mailman. Grandfather. Hairdresser. Mall. Park. Home. Purse. Computer. Idea. Nouns like these are what the world is made of. Adjectives tell us more about nouns: Reliable. Kind. Cute. Convenient. Fun. Two-story. Leather. Digital. Good. But a world full of modified people, places and things is dead without life-giving verbs. Words like deliver. Love. Beautify. Shop. […]

The list of phobias is as long and amusing as it is frightening. You’ve got your average, ordinary fears like fear of heights, confined spaces or spiders. You’ve got your funny fears like the fear of chicken, flowers, garlic or chopsticks. Then there’s the fear of opinions, ugliness or smells. I can relate. Can you? […]

“My unfulfilled ambition is to write a great novel in three parts about my adventures,” said Wendy. “What adventures?” Aunt Millicent asked. Wendy confidently replied, “I’ve yet to have them, but they will be perfectly thrilling.” Ms. Jones comes to your store like Wendy in the fabled Peter Pan, with a dream in her heart. […]

I hate conflict. So this quote by Nancy Ortberg, founding partner of Teamworx2, scared me: “Conflict is basically energy, and when it is not dealt with directly, it goes somewhere else. Unaired conflict goes into the parking lot or behind closed doors. It becomes ‘malicious compliance’ and results in artificial harmony, not deep community. Conflict […]

Bought some movie tickets online the other day, a modern-day marvel that still amazes me. We bypassed the long lines to the sold-out show and even entered the theater through a special door just for smart people like us. By the time we got home there was a thank you note in my inbox and […]

How was your day? Fine. What did you do? Nothing. Who did you sit with at lunch? Friends. Where are you going? Out. Chances are you’ve been on one end of this conversation at some point in your life, either as the sullen teenager or the solicitous parent. Make no mistake about it, this is […]

Because I said so, that’s why. It drove you nuts as a kid, but you use it as a parent anyway. Truth is, sometimes it’s necessary. It establishes authority. It saves time. It can save lives. Don’t touch the stove. It doesn’t matter why! Because I said so, that’s why! So with children (preferably your […]

Remember the story of The Velveteen Rabbit? In this classic children’s tale also known as “How Toys Become Real,” a beloved toy bunny became a real rabbit when he cried a real tear. Real. Authentic. Transparent. Relevant. Have you been hearing these marketing buzzwords tossed around lately? What does it mean? Ms. Jones is getting […]

When you think about it, we spend a lot of time avoiding risk. All that neck twisting before crossing the street. All that salad, all those pinched pennies. All to protect our bodies from harm and our psyches from hurt. Every day we make hundreds of calculated decisions designed to lessen our risk and protect […]

Folklore or fact, you decide: The Loch Ness Monster. The president won’t sing the national anthem. Aspartame causes cancer. Bill Gates will send you money if you forward his email. The Abominable Snowman. Folklore or fact, Ms. Jones decides: Dark walls make a room look smaller. Sofas always go against the wall. Nightstands must match […]