The girls and women in Iran are demonstrating courage.

The people fighting for the Ukraine and against Russia’s invasion are demonstrating courage.

Coming out is another example of courage.

Once you feel the difference working remotely makes in your life, you can't go back to what it was before as if that knowledge doesn't exist.

Once you feel what it is like to have a great boss who shows up with empathy and compassion, you can't forget how good that felt.

What is the first thing that you think of?

“Oh no. That’s not good.”

“Well, there goes my week. I’m going to have to focus on cleaning up this mess.”

I spent the last couple of days at WorldatWork's Workplace Equity Forum. It was a terrific example of thought leadership, practical ways to improve pay equity, and connection.

As I listened to a variety of speakers and talked with other attendees, I realized what I wasn't hearing.

We won't cause a positive sustained change in workplace equity without empathy.

Have you ever had a break through moment when you are talking to a friend? Yep. That happened yesterday for me.

We were talking about how when you love someone that eventually it ends. There is an expiration date. You either break up with them or one of you dies. (I know. I know. Morbid but it’s reality.)

At times, I have focused so much on work that I didn't have a life outside of work. I missed family celebrations. I didn't have any hobbies. I didn't relax and certainly didn't prioritize my health.

Now I work but I close my laptop at a reasonable time knowing that my "to do" list will never be done. I have people I love to spend time with outside of work and I have hobbies. Lots of them.

I can do nothing for hours.

Recently, I had an employer client who was worried about how much lower than market they thought they were paying their employees.

After we market priced their jobs and did the employee analysis, they had far fewer pay changes to make than they originally assumed. In fact, they could do the changes this year instead of over multiple years.

One of the ways I trick myself into doing things is to start. If I don't feel like working out, I start for 5 minutes and then I can stop. Sometimes I stop at 5 minutes but most days I keep going.

Each morning I start my day by writing three things I am grateful for. Today I was overwhelmed with gratitude. I wrote three things and then I wrote more.

I suddenly stopped and realized that I am living the life I dreamed of years ago. I am happy. My working is meaningful. I have great relationships. I have a lot to look forward to.

And six years ago I was miserable.

Your values, vision (purpose), and lifestyle need to be in alignment to be compatible.

It applies to personal relationships. And it applies to your relationship with your employer.

Does the job and company allow you to live the lifestyle you want?

When I am talking with other HR leaders, I hear the terms "well-being" and "employee experience" a lot.

And sometimes it is just talk. They know what needs to be done and are trying to influence the C-suite to make decisions and take action that balance the business needs with the well-being of their employees - and sometimes the planet too.

When someone responds quickly to a question I ask, I am delighted. It rarely happens.

I'm busy. We are all busy. And when you make something a priority, it can be a huge help to another person.

I was talking to an executive coaching client recently. They asked, “What is the most important ability I should be looking for when I interview candidates to join my team?”

When we don’t accept what is, we struggle.

I continue to learn that lesson over and over. I create my own suffering when I don’t accept reality.

I used to have a huge garden. Over the years it has become smaller and smaller.

My passion for gardening was high in April but by August I was done. I didn’t water or weed the garden anymore because of other priorities.

This year the garden area was converted…

Business suits and dresses aren’t worn much anymore. I had oodles of them until I recently decluttered my closet. I kept a couple and said goodbye to the rest.

I felt lighter after taking the big box to Goodwill. I let go of a version of myself that isn’t needed anymore.

I was talking to a friend recently about her boyfriend and she is confused. He isn’t spending as much time with her as he used to. He isn’t calling, texting, or making plans to spend time with her as often he used to.

She made the comment, “I deserve better than this.” I agreed.

A definition of validation is “recognition or affirmation that a person or their feelings or opinions are valid or worthwhile.”

I went to breakfast with a group of friends recently. We’ve known each other for more than 20 years and originally worked together in the HR function of a Fortune 500 company.

Each of us deals with situations we didn’t expect to have to deal with.

When my husband was 38 years old, he was diagnosed with tongue cancer. We had just purchased the home I am sitting in now.

My neighbor, who lives across the street, has a three year old son. Preston is great at repeating what you reward.

If he wants to hang out with my 13 year old son, he yells “Ben come sit” from his front yard.