There is a certain irony of how a mask requirement, intended to cover and protect, exposes differences and opportunities for more productive ways to communicate among families, employers, and neighbors. Like most people, I so desire our society to be able to gather...

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Perhaps like me, yours will be different this year too. Despite the adjustments – I am committed to keeping it my favorite Holiday. When there is change and conflict, Spiral Impacting brings grace to the situation. Spiral Impact is...

Zoom fatigue has quickly become a 2020 mantra. But, just like any communication medium Zoom has the capacity to deplete us OR energize us.  I’ve been experimenting with different methods of engagement in Zoom meetings, noticing that my message actually blooms with...

Ever try to have a civil conversation with a person that has a different point of view and it turns into an argument or uglier? Do you know people you'd like to connect with around sensitive topics but you're not sure quite how? Please Join Me, Karen Valencic...

The best and only assumption you can make is: You don’t really understand other people, even if you think you know them well.   This applies to other races, cultures, genders, and big time to the people closest to you.  Any other assumption you make is likely...

“Please control me,” said no one, ever.  Major disruption magnifies the feeling of being controlled, as it seems the outer world also wants to control, or consume, us.  Anything that has been an annoyance in ‘normal’ times is amplified.   Can you relate to any of...

I hope you and loved ones are well. Here is what's on my mind lately...   Imagine: puzzle pieces falling everywhere when a jigsaw puzzle is thrown into the air. That is an image that comes to my mind when major disruption happens. Pieces get lost. Past efforts...

Uncertainty and volatility trigger me to deepen my practice of Spiral Impact concepts rather than succumb to fear and anxiety. March 17, 2020 was the launch day of the Black Belt Edition of Spiral Impact.  This original post was written prior to the impact of the...

When I was young, I dreamt of being a singer. However, I told myself a story for years that when I sang, people left the room to escape my squeaky voice. Discouraged, I chose a very different path of study, engineering. I eventually found my voice of expression...

Adding heat to a tinderbox, even a little bit, ignites a huge raging fire. As the holidays approach, this bears consideration as we gather with people who may have polar opposite viewpoints in our divided country. I’ve found myself wondering whether it is courageous...