Category: HUMAN JOURNEYS

Urgency is a rarity, not a lifestyle

Urgency:  It’s important.  And it needs swift action. (That’s how Oxford dictionary describes urgency.) Do we wear urgency like a badge of honour?  What causes us to believe that ‘things’ need to get done immediately?  Will I remember this urgency twenty years from now?  If not, then why do I give it so much of […]

Passion, Never Quench Its Flame

“The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.” – Ferdinand Foch When my daughter was 14 years old, we went to Spain together.  It is a very special memory.  I always love travelling with my daughter.  Whether on a road trip or exploring different regions, it’s easy being her travelling companion. […]

COVID-19: not one fear, but three

In the midst of this pandemic we are not facing one fear, but three:  the fear of loss, the fear of scarcity and the fear of isolation. I enjoy engaging in thought-provoking conversations with my dad who’s 87 years old.  Realistically, my parents are in the vulnerable category of the covid-19, and I believe they […]

STRIVING (sigh, sooo exhausting)

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_video _builder_version=”3.0.105″ src=”https://youtu.be/IazOpBYjlCY” module_alignment=”center” max_width=”50%” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” /][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.105″ background_layout=”light”] (this video is an intro to the article) [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.0.105″ src=”https://karenthrall.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/mud.shoes_.striving.ATweilstyle-Ethan.Weil-537983-unsplash.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” align=”center” always_center_on_mobile=”on” force_fullwidth=”off” module_alignment=”center” show_bottom_space=”on” max_width=”75%” /][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.105″ background_layout=”light”] I was having dinner with a dear friend of mine. I knew something was a bit “off” in me. […]

Can you forfeit your talent? [yes.]

If you have an inkling of talent, a hidden talent, a secret talent, talent that was recognized when you were a child – whatever it may be – use it if you don’t want to lose it. My mom surprised me and sent this in the mail. (see photo). Flooded me with memories. That’s my report […]

A SMALL WIN EACH DAY IS PART OF YOUR NORMAL

My friend told me a story of a baby shower where the host started the evening with an icebreaker game. She asked the group to cover the face of their watches and try to describe what it looked like.   Everyone covered up their watches and a woman volunteered to guess the face of her watch.  She first guessed, “It […]

FEAR LOSES. STRATEGY WINS.

  May 1st marked my three year anniversary of leaving my role at John Fluevog Shoes, and with the support of my two kids, I bid farewell to Vancouver, packed up my car and drove to San Diego to pursue my life dream. The closing of a chapter began when a Vancouver sales associate mentioned a […]

DETERMINATION & THE PINK UMBRELLA

​ It was in the early morning of a cold, rainy November when I drove by an elementary school.  I looked to my left and an adorable, sweet human caught my attention.   I pulled the car over and watched in silence, with only the faint sweeping sound of windshield wipers. A little girl, who […]

The Purpose of Daydreaming

A passerby saw a child staring into an open field.  Amused, he asked, “What are you looking at?”.  Without hesitation, the child replied, “My castle.” When I was a little girl, I lived in a big world of imagination.  I didn’t need ‘gadgets’ to help me create adventures. Actually, I needed very little to keep […]

When You Wipe The Sweat Off Your Brow…

  I’ve been thinking about the importance of sweating physically, mentally and philosophically. One of the most popular goals people have is choosing a healthier lifestyle through exercise and diet.  But very few will stay committed to this goal. What sets apart the committed from the uncommitted?  Sweat. 1.  Choose Sweat:  “Sweat equity is the […]

A Measure of Sacrifice is Required

What are you willing to give up in order to pursue what you really want?  What are you willing to let go of for the sake of your dream? What might you have to leave behind because it’s not helping you get where you want to go?   A key ingredient to an entrepreneur’s success […]

WHEN EXPERIENCING LOSS

    The loss of a life. The loss of love. The loss of a job. The loss of health. The loss of money. The loss of friendship. The loss of a game. Why is loss so painful? It creates a grief in our hearts that can feel unbearable, overwhelming, deflating, disheartening, discouraging, anxious. We […]

KNOW YOUR STRESSORS

  Taking inventory of our internal well-being on a regular basis is fundamental to healthy living. When we go through a challenging time, a big change, an unexpected disruption (or a planned one), it’s a good idea to ask ourselves, “Heyyyyy youuuu inside there, how are you doing?” The most important part of stress is […]

CONFESSIONS OF A WOMAN: Hi, my name’s Karen and I like aging.

  Why are we afraid to show our age? Why do we love to hear that we look 10 years younger? (I do, too!) But does it really matter that much? I have wrinkles. The crow’s feet around my eyes continue to increase every year. Perhaps it’s partly due to playing golf and being out […]

THINK THINK THINK: it does the mind good

    May 1, 2015 I moved to San Diego to launch my business and chase my dream. Reflecting back on these past 10 months, I want to share something that is vital to great decision-making. Ready for it? Here it is: Every decision deserves time beforehand to think. Take all the time you want […]

MAKE AN 80% DECISION

    MAKE AN 80% DECISION The difference between a great decision and a mediocre one is one word: doubt. I’d rather make a great decision and be 80% successful with 20% room for error, than to second-guess my decision, doubt it and then do 100% n.o.t.h.i.n.g! I’m someone who will fault at performing at […]

WE ARE NOT IMMUNE TO HOPE

  We are not immune to hope. Regardless of your circumstances, you will find a whisper of hope. We must find this hope in every aspect of our lives. Never dismiss hope. If there’s any topic I want to petition it would be in contending for the richness of living a hope-filled life. Hope is […]

THE THEME FOR YOUR YEAR. WHAT IS IT?

photo by:  Sylvain Guiheneue THE THEME FOR YOUR YEAR. WHAT IS IT?   Every year I present myself a theme. I reflect in December, in preparation for the year to come, and ponder what is the resource and gift I want the new year to bring me. I’ve been doing this for approximately10 years, and […]

ENABLING

    Recently, I’ve been reflecting on the topic of enabling. What I write in this article is my perception and perspective. I’m not a medical expert and do not have university psychological training. I’m reflecting on the word “enabling” based on my experience and my conduct. I’ve grown in leaps and bounds but on […]

CATHERINE WEMETTE: talks about Diversity

    My gregarious dreamer friend, Catherine Wemette from Washington, DC is incredibly personable; and guaranteed there will be no stranger in her midst.  Catherine and I worked together at John Fluevog Shoes. and now we are chasing dreams together in the world of business!  Catherine leads a successful facilitation and project management company called Good For […]

MADISON PADGETT: talks about Diversity

    Meet my creative friend and daughter, Madison Padgett from Vancouver, Canada.  I’ve always loved the way she writes and her perspective on life.  And from the time she was 2 years old, we’ve had the most fascinating conversations.  Madison engages with all her heart, she’s uninhibited in her thoughts and she respects a good discourse. […]

IT WAS LUCK!

    IT WAS LUCK! When I read Good To Great, it really resonated with me when Jim Collins wrote about Great Leaders believe in luck – they believe in good fortune. “Later, when asked to discuss the factors behind the enduring nature of the transformation, he said, ‘The first thing that comes to mind […]

CATHERINE WEMETTE: Talks About Dreams

DREAMS:  CREATING YOUR DREAM WORLD By:  Catherine Wemette I’d like to introduce you to my gregarious dreamer friend, Catherine Wemette from Washington, DC.  Catherine and I worked together at John Fluevog Shoes.  And now we are chasing dreams together in the world of business!  Catherine leads a successful facilitation and project management company called Good For […]

MADISON PADGETT: Talks About Dreams

  DREAMS:  DREAM SMALL By:  Madison Padgett I’d like to introduce you to my creative friend and daughter, Madison Padgett from Vancouver, Canada.  I’ve always loved the way she writes and her perspective on life.  And from the time she was 2 years old, we have not stopped dreaming together.  Madison’s an extraordinarily talented woman who […]

FEAR + HUMANS = NORMAL (7 Principles To Remember)

      Fear. Of? ______________________________________________. Fill in the blank. My Aha Moment: Every human on the planet can write something on that line. Isn’t that incredible?! Think about that for a moment. The entire human race, from every region of the planet, can identify with fear. It manifests itself differently in all of us. […]

I CANNOT SEE AHEAD OF ME

  It’s a scary moment when you open a door and enter a room where all you see is darkness; and you know you have to maneuver through its corridors without a glimpse of light. Which is scarier, not seeing or the unknown? “You must do the things you think you cannot do.” – Eleanor […]

THE QUIET JOURNEY OF TRANSFORMATION

    An acorn falls from the tree. The rains come and it begins to sink into the ground. Below the surface in the quietness of earth, the roots push and break through its shell. The acorn grows; diving to deeper depths of soil. In this dark place where no sunlight exists, no one can […]

HOW BAD IS IT, REALLY, WHEN WE FAIL?

  There is nothing idealistic or romantic about failing. It is part of life. It is humbling. It is discouraging. It depletes us (for a moment), yet reminds us (if we so choose) to remain relentless. How bad is it, really, when we fail? Is it really that awful? Hurts our pride, sure. Creates embarrassment, […]

FAITH CAN BE PAINFUL (stand back up and try again!)

    Been thinking about the phrase, “Don’t lose faith”. In the Disney movie, Pocahontas sings “Just Around The Riverbend”, and she asks the following question: “Do you still wait for me, dream giver? Just around the river bend?” In the New Oxford American Dictionary, faith is defined as “complete trust in someone or something.” […]