Author: guidetogoodmadness

Be a light. This is the phrase to which I keep returning today. I went to bed in darkness last night and woke up to both literal and figurative darkness with the news this morning. To a world that I genuinely fear will be less safe, less kind, less thoughtful, less warm, less inclusive –… Continue reading Be a Light

I haven’t been able to write lately, and it’s making me more than normally stressed out (which is, frankly, saying a lot). Oh, I can write crap for work or for class, but my pen falters when I try to write for myself. A few months ago, I read the book “This I Believe”, which… Continue reading This I Believe

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the things – ideas, relationships, activities, attitudes, etc. – that no longer serve me and why I hold on to them for so damn long. I’ve held onto jobs because I love the people, even though I stopped growing. I’ve held onto relationships even though I am bored… Continue reading Letting Go or Digging In?

Last month, I took the first step on one of my 50-List items: learn how to draw. I signed up for a beginner drawing class at The Art Center School and Galleries in Mechanicsburg, PA as Step 1. I highly recommend that class if you’re in the Central PA area, btw. Go forth and create… Continue reading A picture is worth?

I don’t think that many people know how to have fun anymore – and we really don’t know how to create it for ourselves. My daughter Mary and I were chatting about this on our way home from an errand this morning, stemming from a comment she had about society requiring monetization of every waking… Continue reading Finding Fun

Today is my 50th birthday. It feels like any other day, albeit one with abundant well-wishes, some lovely presents, and a dinner that I didn’t have to make. Ten years ago, I DREADED my birthday – I wanted nothing more than to hide under the bed with the dust kittens (dust bunnies made from almost… Continue reading As I mean to go on

At my previous job, I used to travel a lot – some solo and when I was lucky with my bestie, Scott. In my current position, the only routine travel I really do is to Pittsburgh (not exactly the most exotic location). I miss travel. So, for the past few years, I’ve taken a solo… Continue reading I Was Country…

For about the last two months – between conferences, board meetings, hearings, and normal work trips – I’ve been traveling for work more than I’ve been at home. I’ll never complain about my career – I know that I am privileged to do interesting and challenging work with a team that I truly love every… Continue reading “Doing right”

Last week, I was presenting at a work conference in Erie, Pennsylvania (ever the exotic destination!). There were great presentations and even better discussions, but the part I loved best was connecting with people – my team in particular – and in some cases, colleagues and friends that I hadn’t seen since pre-COVID orders. However,… Continue reading Good Madness vs. Crazy Busy

You know how sometimes you’re driving down the highway – maybe you’re listening to an audiobook or some music, just minding your own self – and suddenly a thought almost audibly clicks in place in your brain, so loudly it makes you wince a little? No? Just me? Well, shit. That happened to me this… Continue reading An Epiphany on the Turnpike