“I Wear Star Wars Running Shoes!”- a personal lesson in authenticity
There! I got it out! For weeks I had been deliberating over my next pair of running shoes. Adidas Ultraboost were recommended to me. Given my history of plantar fasciitis, I was intrigued by the Ultraboost’s stellar shock absorption reviews. Unfortunately, the sticker price was higher than I wanted to pay. Covid 19 has hurt.. read more →
Developing a Child with High EQ-Kindness
As a young child, I desperately wanted my father’s approval. If we were playing sports in the neighborhood and I felt my father overlooked me or did not esteem me higher than other children, I would cry and walk home. As a sophomore in high school, I decided to run track. My father loved his.. read more →
Our Role in Deteriorating US-China Relations
According to recent surveys, 66% of Americans have an unfavorable view of China while 61% of Chinese have an unfavorable view of the U.S.A. As someone who loves China and loves to build friendships between China and the U.S., this grieves me. Many of my friends are global citizens and share my grief. As relations.. read more →
“Match the Hatch”
Growing up in northwest Montana, you might say I grew up with a fly rod in my hand. Dad would take my brother and I fly fishing, probably three nights/week, as far back as I can remember. Fish are smart. If you throw something at them that is just a little different than what they.. read more →
Your Stress is Killing YOU…………..and ME!
The following exchange between a college student, who had a friend suddenly die, and her manager at work, Katie, just went viral. “Someone close to me just passed away, and I’m trying to find a cover for my shifts so I can attend the funeral service rather than call out and leave you guys,” the college.. read more →
Being Chinese in America
Bruce Lee said, “You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water my friend.”.. read more →
A First Lesson to Aspiring Leaders: Follow Well
It’s your choice: you can be a cursing or a blessing to those who lead you. Whether your leader is an employer, coach, teacher or team leader, you can be a follower who brings joy to your leader or one they wish wasn’t on the team. The writer of this passage from the Bible said.. read more →
It’s About More Than Baggy Shorts vs Speedos
When many foreigners come to visit the USA in the summer, you can often identify them by what they wear to the beach. American males wear baggy swim shorts. Many Asian and European males wear speedos. Each summer, when students come to the USA as part of our Passages Program (https://www.ascend-international.com/programs/university/), I coach males in.. read more →
“It Smells Terrible, but it Tastes Really Good!”
In a Chinese market I have remarked to my indigenous friends, “what is THAT smell?” Inevitably, I have heard one of two foods mentioned (Stinky tofu or Durian), along with the chorus of, “it smells terrible, but it tastes really good.” Call me simple, call me uncultured, but I have never been able to overcome.. read more →
Looking ahead to December 31, 2016. How did you achieve change this year??
You woke up this morning. 2016 doesn’t feel any different than 2015, does it? But, you want 2015 to be different, don’t you? How can it be different? How can you turn good intentions into true change in 2016? Theories abound on how to find lasting change in your personal life. The five following principles.. read more →