Welcome to the X.

X as in the unique mix of decisions and experiences that will bring you meaning and joy in your next chapter. Think practical tools, a little inspiration and more than a few stories of those who’ve jumped the hurdle.
Meaning
September 9, 2025

Fill in the Blank

Sometimes I get stuck when I’m trying to develop an idea to write about or a problem I’m trying to solve. As a brain jogger, I put keywords on a page, hoping to pull out ideas from the words. It’s kind of like a fill-in-the-blank…
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Meaning
September 6, 2025

At War with Our Tendencies

Now that I’ve reached this stage of life, I see the ongoing war with my tendencies. If that’s confusing, allow me to clarify.  Our tendencies are our default patterns of behavior, thoughts, and feelings that seem to follow us throughout our lives. On one side…
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Meaning
September 2, 2025

Fear!

Everyone has fears. They range from Ablutophobia (fear of bathing) to Zuigerphobia (fear of vacuum cleaners) and everything in between.  For some, it’s flying and for others, it’s spiders. Whateve the case, we all fall prey to a fear or two that sends chills up…
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Meaning
August 30, 2025

Reflections on Sunset

I’ve been enjoying a lovely week at the beach with my family. My three granddaughters are exuberant and active, which has meant lots of pool time with them. As the week winds down, I find myself holding onto the hope and expectation that we’ll all…
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Meaning
August 26, 2025

Breaking Away

One of my favorite movies is Breaking Away. It was released in 1979 and features a very young Dennis Quaid, Dennis Christopher, Daniel Stern, and Jackie Earle Haley. The story follows a group of high school kids from Bloomington, Illinois, trying to figure out their…
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Meaning
August 23, 2025

Deep Tissue

I love getting massages and typically choose deep tissue to alleviate the knots in my upper back and shoulders. My wife and I recently marked our 48th anniversary with a day at the spa, and of course, I booked a deep-tissue massage. As the therapist…
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Meaning
July 31, 2025

What Else Might Be Possible

What would it take to trust something you can’t explain? Aaron French didn’t plan to become a spiritual mentor. He began as a biologist, then built a successful corporate career. On the surface, everything seemed great. But underneath, he felt pulled in a different direction.…
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Meaning
July 30, 2025

Where I’ve Been

Most of the time, I’m sharing episodes with you from my Chapter X podcast. But recently, I’ve had the chance to be on the other side of the mic, and I thought you might enjoy a few of those conversations. If you're curious, here is…
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