Dedication and Commitment

Posted on February 7, 2019February 8, 2019 by Jill Stephenson

In the Twin Cities where I live we just experienced a Polar vortex. Temperatures reached dangerous lows of thirty (plus) degrees below zero. The more rural areas were even colder. With windchill factors taken into consideration, the outside temperatures felt...Read More

When You Can’t See the Reasons

Posted on January 31, 2019January 31, 2019 by Jill Stephenson

Early in my corporate banking career, my boss of five years left abruptly and upset my comfy little apple cart. We were a tiny department plunked amidst bigger fish. It was him, one other admin and myself. I didn’t lose...Read More

Sip On It

Posted on January 24, 2019January 24, 2019 by Jill Stephenson

When a child learns to drink from a cup it generally has a wide mouth and a cover to prevent what’s inside from spilling all over their face and clothing. They are called “sippy cups” because the child is taught...Read More

Duration vs. Donation

Posted on January 17, 2019January 17, 2019 by Jill Stephenson

“The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation”. -Corrie ten Boom January 20th is the birth date of my son Ben. He left this earth exactly halfway between his 21st and 22nd years. If...Read More

What’s Your Foundation Made of?

Posted on January 11, 2019January 11, 2019 by Jill Stephenson

What's Your Foundation Made of? The “Three Little Pigs” is a classic nursery rhyme most of us are familiar with. Three little pigs each build a home and are immediately threatened by a hungry wolf who wants to eat them....Read More

Focus on the Light

Posted on January 3, 2019January 4, 2019 by Jill Stephenson

Last weekend I drove to visit a friend that lives 150 miles away from me. Not a big deal, I’ve driven thousands of miles all over the country. However, this drive was unlike any other I’ve taken on over the...Read More

One Whole Year

Posted on December 28, 2018February 21, 2019 by Jill Stephenson

It’s almost the new year, time to make a resolution, or resolutions, if you so desire. It’s time to look back on the last year and reflect on what you may or not have accomplished and discern how you stacked...Read More

Giving and Remembrance

Posted on December 20, 2018February 21, 2019 by Jill Stephenson

I just returned from my tenth year of participating in Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery. To honor all who have served our country and died, a Christmas wreath is placed on their graves at more than 1600 national...Read More

Just Keep Going

Posted on December 13, 2018February 21, 2019 by Jill Stephenson

My friend John often ends our conversations with two words, “Keep going.” Although I expect to hear it every time we talk, his words still inspire me. While going through a difficult time many years ago, a friend shared this...Read More

6 December 1918, A Luminary is Born

Posted on December 6, 2018February 21, 2019 by Jill Stephenson

December 6th is my grandfather’s 100th birthday. Although he succumbed to cancer seventeen years ago at the age of 82, his life is still worth celebrating. I didn’t realize that this year marked his 100th year until a friend visited...Read More