The first time I met “Cookie” at our coffee shop, he asked me if I was a famous violinist, which made me erupt with laughter—I am not musically talented! Over time, I had many other “chance” encounters with Cookie. Our talks were always brief and light.
Then one day in the coffee shop, Cookie sat down right at my table, which wasn’t typical. He started ranting about politics and religious people. Read more...
Several months after my husband of 29 years suddenly passed away, I moved from the Chicago area back down to southern Illinois. We had lived in this town eight years prior, and both of my kids still lived there. Since we had been very active in the local community and church, I expected to have a good support group there. However, after several months of no one checking up on me, no one inviting me anywhere, and no one to do things with, I realized I had been wrong. Read more...
How full is your DVR? I’m always fighting with mine. If I ever get below 50%, I get so excited. But, two weeks later, it’s right back to warning me that it might be too full. Read more...
I've been thinking about our conversations—you know, the ones we have in person, over the fence with our neighbors and on our mornings commutes---as well as those we have over social media when we don’t have the benefit or reminder that there’s another real person “out there.” Read more...
Jerold Panas is CEO of one of the nation’s premier campaign services and financial resource development firms, and believes wholeheartedly in the power of listening. Do you?