Articles by: Angela Craig
Dinner Party vs. Cleaning your House
You can’t host a dinner party and clean your house at the same time. I have tried it.…
Our Kids: Finding Meaning in a World of Illusion
One of my professors at Gonzaga University has given me a challenge by posing this question: Although every…
The Shakertown Pledge – Are You in?
Almost forty years ago, a small group of people, moved my the global poverty-ecology crisis they saw around…
The Power of Women – The Ugly Painting
The ugly painting – Why don’t women believe in themselves? Over Mother’s Day weekend, my Mom and I…
The Girl factor
Extreme poverty has many dimensions. Topping the list is: income poverty, hunger, disease, inadequate shelter, marginalization, exclusion, and…
How to Become an Everyday Hero
It is hard to get past the tragedies of this week. I would like to write about something…
Freefall to Fly – A Book Review
“Freefall to Fly – a breathtaking journey towards a life of meaning” By: Rebekah Lyons What do you…
What’s Under Your Dirt?
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 NIV) A few…
What’s in Your Trunk?
Sunday on the way to church, the back of our truck was filled with the garbage generated from…
Watered Down Presence
I am in the middle of reading one of my favorite Biblical Scholars, N.T. Wright’s, latest books, “Simple…
Getting Outside the Routine – Creating Life With Memories
How are memories created? Think about the past year. What are your fondest memories? Some memories happen in…
Do You Know Leah?
Today, I had the honor of being a guest blogger on Deep Imprints in their “Coming to your…
Anticipating the Curve Balls
It is baseball season in the Craig home. That comes with rain or shine cheering sections, grass and…
Beloved
In his book, Here and Now: Living in the Spirit, Henri Nouwen wrote, “One of the tragedies of…
When Lightning Strikes
Sometimes, like lightning, life can hit you in an instance and at high voltage. I thought of this…
When Bad Things Happen – Move Beyond Black and White
Are you living in black and white? Do you believe that if you do something bad, you will…
What’s Under Your Couch?
I admit it, I like a clean house. Okay, maybe worse than that. If you want to call…
What’s a Girl to do When Life is Interrupted?
Lately, I have found myself becoming annoyed with delays and obstacles in my schedule. With a to-do list…
The Practice of Awareness – A Day at the Spa
“The only job you have is to focus on your breathing,” said my massage therapist. His accent was…
The Power of Your Thoughts
What are you thinking about? What are your goals? Are you worried or anxious? What thoughts are you…
The Leaf
I always dreamed of myself driving a candy-apple red convertible Porsche down a long tree lined drive to…
The 13th Disciple – Following Jesus
The Rich Young Ruler came to Jesus and asked what it would take to follow Him and receive…
Tired of the Seattle Weather?
So you are already tired of the Seattle weather and it’s only November 1st! How quickly we forget…
Following Jesus in Baptism
I have been baptized three times. The first, as a newborn in the sacrament of the holy church.…
Embracing the Chaos
Life can be unpredictable, full of surprises and sometimes seem out of control or chaotic. I have recognized…
March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month
Why is this important? According to the Brain Injury Association of America, each year an estimated 1.7 million…
Dare to Meet in Person – It’s Still in Vogue!
Researcher, Andrew Shatte has shown us that the resilience to thrive in life is found in the ability…
Addicted to Productivity
After a lovely weekend trip to a Bed-n-Breakfast with my husband and we decided to take a drive…
A Heart Shaped Raindrop for You
This morning I vowed to get organized. I am famous for writing reminders, blog ideas, or parts of…
Nice is Just Another Four Letter Word
I almost quit wearing the dress today, made an appointment to get my hair cut and colored and…
5 Things I Learned From Wearing the Same Dress
Matthew 7:24-27 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like…
Recognition and Praise
In my last blog, I asked the question: Do you get enough recognition? The answer was a resounding…
The Place Between Comfort and Meaning
In a letter to his son, Eduard (1930), Albert Einstein wrote: “People are like bicycles. They can keep…
Inviting Conflict – Failure and Recovery
Pride blog I believe I work with the best team that ever existed. We champion each other’s strengths,…
The Cure for my Disillusion
John Maxwell Quote: When God called me to ministry leadership, I knew I had truly found purpose in…
Spotting the Gorillas in Our Lives
Play a game with me for a moment. Watch the video and count how many times the players…
Small is Mighty!
Small has big influence One month after having his driver’s license, our 16-year-old son had his first experience…
Not Just Another Christmas Tea
Over the last few years, leaders in ministry (including myself) have renounced the traditional Women’s Tea. Female leaders,…
My Crash into Humility
When I was 22, (of course, just a few short years ago) I was running in the wrong…
Most Read Blogs of 2012- Success and Body Image
Last week on a trip to New York I was reading an article from Alina Tugend’s Shortcuts column…
Machiavelli’s Principles of Leadership
In the classic book, The Prince, Niccolò Machiavelli stated that “Everyone sees what you appear to be, few…
Landing in the Sand Trap Doesn’t Mean you Failed
It doesn’t matter if you play golf or not, you will understand the frustration a golfer has when…
Just Do It Now
Everywhere I looked last week, I kept seeing the mantra…Just do it now. It was written on the…
How Shame is Shaping your Leadership
How is shame shaping your leadership? “No one wants to talk about it. But everyone has it…unless you…
Having an Arena Sized Vision
If you are a Seattle sports fan, you may be following our future hope. The return of the…
Giving Up On Teams
The words “team building” was originally based on the age-old metaphor that people are like building blocks (Sibbet,…
Designing your Avatar – Knowing who you Serve
Last week I watched and listened while Michael Hyatt interviewed twenty-two top presenters at the first Influence and…
Attention Deficit
Attentiveness takes time and intentionality. Attentiveness with intentional action is what brings healing to the earth, our bodies,…
Trying to Read Between the Lines
Last week on a walk with my neighbor, we were comparing stories of similar conversations we had been…
Person of Influence or ‘Future Rock Star Status’?
We all want to have influence in this world. This thought specifically came to my mind at a…
Your Father and I are Getting a Divorce
I guess it is time we have this conversation… as much as you and I would like to…
Recognition is More Important than Love
In a 60 minutes interview, Lesley Stahl reported on a new show called “Alive55 + and Kickin” in…
Waving the White Flag – Mommy Wars
Marissa Mayer is the newest CEO of Yahoo. A woman with two Stanford degrees in computer science, one…
That Outfit Makes me look Fat
Last night while picking up my son from the ski bus I overheard two moms talking about their…
Love Dare – Not Just for Married People
Love Dare When my boys were small, people with grown children and even perfect strangers would look at…
Re-gifting Christmas
We have all done it…or at least pondered the idea – Re-gifting! The act of taking a gift…
Friday Night Spouse Date
This may be the shortest blog I ever write so let me get right to the point. Are…
I Get You
I am not sure why people can’t understand and agree with what I am saying. After all, I…
The Power of Motherhood
Boys and me This year, our oldest son turned 16 years-old. Watching him grow from a child to…
How I Learned the Meaning of Motherhood
The first time I remember learning the meaning of Motherhood happened at the age of ten when I…
How I Became a Helicopter Mom
My life and actions as a mom all became clear to me as I read the book, Strategic…
Finding the Beauty in the Prickles
We all know prickly people. But before we start pointing fingers, isn’t it true that we all act…
A Father’s Day Note for my Husband
I think my husband deserves a do-over on his Father’s Day. Outside of some good wishes and a…
You can do Anything you Want – True or False?
In coaching, speaking, and writing I am passionate about helping people find meaning and purpose in life and…
Why Don’t Most Women Call Themselves Leaders?
In a Gallup research poll only 36% of women in business self-identified with the word “leadership”. What do…
Why can’t your Story be the one I write for you?
Listening This weekend was my husband’s 30th high school reunion. I have been to all three of his,…
When to say NO to Good Opportunities
This weekend, I hosted my team for an annual planning retreat at my house. In addition to the…
What You Can do When the World Falls Around You
I don’t have to tell you that our nation and our world is in turmoil. Terrorism, racial, religious,…
What Would Jesus Give for Christmas?
We are entering the “giving season”. Our hearts long to give. The core of traditional giving is to…
What to Do While You Wait?
You have been called for a purpose. Now, all you have to do is figure out what to…
What is More Important – What you do or Become?
During Spring break, we made our first road trip. The purpose was simple – combine fun with some…
What is Coaching?
“Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.” ~…
What Ground Game are you Playing?
Luke 16:10 This week I listened to Erwin McManus (Mosaic Church, Los Angeles) tell the world he had…
Father’s Day when Dad’s not Around
Tomorrow we celebrate Father’s Day. As I write this, the celebration is well underway across the USA on…
Wasted Talent
“It’s so sad.” Said the stranger standing next to me in Washington Square. Leaning into me in a…
Trying Harder Only Leads to Failure
What are some things you have been trying to achieve? Here are some examples I have heard from…
Coming Out of Shame
As a Professional Coach and general cheerleader of human potential, I am always curious to what holds us…
Everyone needs a “Veil Lifter”
Tip of the Day: Everyone needs a “Veil Lifter” in their life. With the sun shining this past…
A Mouse in a Barbecue!
The weather has been phenomenal here in the Pacific NW. Last week at baseball practice we were having…
The Year of Broken Christmas Tree Lights
“The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all.” – Walt Disney Company,…
The Value of Coaching in Every Aspect of Life
What is your biggest need in life or in leadership? In my welcome letter to new subscribers I…
3 Secrets – Standing Out in a Crowd
The secret to standing out in a crowd and influencing others is to make others feel like they…
The Three Temptations of Leadership
In his book, In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership, Henri Nouwen describes the three temptations…
The Pursuit of Happiness
“You got a dream… You gotta protect it. People can’t do somethin’ themselves, they wanna tell you you…
The Procrastination Trap – 6 Reasons Why
We have a new word abbreviation in our household – PC. It isn’t what you are thinking. It…
The Power of Naming our Emotions – 7 Steps
Emotions I could tell when my son walked in the door from school, he was having a bad…
The Naked Heart of Vulnerability
There are places in our heart that are only revealed when something is striped from us. A relationship,…
The Impostor Syndrome – Why Women Hide
On a flight from Seattle to New York, my husband and I were sitting in first class. Occasionally…
The GO-GO Girl Gives Up Control
Selah Selah has been a theme for many people’s lives throughout the last few years. Selah means to…
The Fire and Ice of my Dreams
Winter Weather There was something evoking about this picture the first time I saw it. I couldn’t take…
The Evils of Self-promotion and Reframing our Thinking
You have been given gifts and passions to share with the world. God designed you to make a…
Ten Steps to Being a Great Mentor
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” Benjamin Franklin…
4 Ways to Never Give up on your Dream
Carnival game Sometimes, life can feel like the carnival game you can never win. You practice your skill,…
Senior Advice for Those in the Fast Lane
“For it is in giving that we receive.” Francis of Assisi Life can surprise you. The very gift…
Pivot Leadership – Personal Growth and Team Building
Leadership is a part of every aspect of life. In Work, Family, And Community Maybe you are a…
Personal Makeover? Michael Hyatt to the Rescue!
As a leader, coach and author, I am a big fan of Michael Hyatt. If you have not…
My Summer Goal to end Perfectionism
Only a perfectionist makes it her or his summer goal to be better at failing. With perfectionism comes…
Making Change your Playground of Life
Change She who wants to have right without wrong, Order without disorder, Does not understand the principles Of…
Love Dare Day 40 – Love has no Regrets
The Love Dare is a 40 day challenge you can take with a spouse, family, or even alone.…
Living Without Regrets
This week, we step into summer. Every season gives each of us a new opportunity to examine our…
Let’s Be Better Humans
One of the shop’s owners, Vi, invited me to pick a color and have a seat at the…
Let Your Strengths Shine!
“Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What’s a sundial in the shade?” — Benjamin Franklin…
Leadership Reflections from 12,000 Feet
This weekend, I hosted my team for an annual planning retreat at my house. In addition to the…
Jump into the Deep end of an Extraordinary Life!
Albert Einstein wrote: “The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion…
Boldness – Parts of Ourselves Remain Hidden
I was waiting to get gas, watching a woman wash her windshield at the pump. She had extra…
Emotions are Ruling your Life
Emotions Our oldest son will be a senior in High School next year. Over Spring Break our family…
I am a Quitter
Today’s post was written with love for my friends with God-Sized Dreams! I am a quitter by nature.…
How will 9.9 Hours a day of Screen Time Define you?
It is time to rethink the obvious. Smartphones and social media are reframing our calendar and defining our…
How to be a Corporate Hero
Last week my husband, Mark was reading my blogs on Pivot Leader and asked, why I didn’t write…
Someone Loves you – Different Language
Have you ever wondered why you feel you are not speaking the same language as your spouse, your…
How an Upside Down Turkey Ended in Success!
It was Mother’s Day, and we were having a thanksgiving feast. The choice of turkey dinner on a…
Why did Jesus Have to Die on a Cross?
Before I knew Christ, I wondered why Jesus had to die on a cross. Falsely accused, mocked, rejected,…
Finding the Yes in Every No
YES Do you ever find it hard to ask for what you want or what you need? In…
Embracing a Life of Love, Risk and True Flourishing
There are few books that will change you forever. Andy Crouch’s book, Strong and Weak: Embracing a life…
Do you Feel you get Enough Recognition?
The class instructor asked us, “Do you feel you get enough recognition in your job?” Only one out…
Change – Honest, Open-ended Questions
Ask Questions I am a teacher by nature. As a teacher, my goals are always for a heart…
Consumer – 5 Steps to Building Strong Ministry Teams
I have been a volunteer and I have been the leader of volunteers (sometimes as a success and…
Called… 8 Steps to Overcoming a Life of Resignation
#1 Face your shadow side. What have you been avoiding that is holding you back from walking in…
Broken Perfectionism
“A dangerous leader is one that has great familiarity with their skills and gifts but cursory knowledge of…
Are You Impatient?
Don’t quit Are you impatient or not? I find people fall into one of two categories when it…
An Invitation to a Different Kind of Perfect
Where do I start? There is a word I associated with the idea of beauty and purpose for…
A New Kind of Goal Setting for This Year
When I was learning how to be a leadership coach, my mentor would open our practice sessions with…
A Kayak, a Duck-taped Paddle, and a Wine Cork…
It was a perfect sunny day on the beaches of Mazatlan. My oldest son wanted to go kayaking…
10 Steps to Being a Great Mentor
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” Benjamin Franklin…
Who did you Marry – A Knight or a King?
Knights In her book, Wander Women: Guidance for the goal-driven woman, Marcia Reynolds, Psy, D. identifies how women…
When Husbands Don’t Lead
I was honored to be a guest with Cherie Zack on the Imperfect Wives Radio Show today. Our…
Happy in Holidays… 3 Steps to Staying Fully Present
“Being in a hurry. Getting to the next thing without fully entering the thing in front of me.…
Gathering God’s Treasures… Holiday Memories for a Lifetime
Holiday traditions include: Tree cutting, putting up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving, BIG family gatherings, holiday…
Bringing Peace on a Cold Winter’s Night…
It was a cold winter’s night before Christmas. The wind wrestled with the trees as the rain beat…
Beginnings, Middles, and Finales… Realizing your Dreams!
Tomorrow is the BIG DAY! My book, Pivot Leadership: Small Steps…Big Change will be released in bookstores everywhere!…
Barbie or Wonder Woman… What do Men Really Want?
Last week on the Imperfect Wives LIVE show we had a great discussion about Knights and Kings –…
10 Reasons Goal Setting Is Failing You
Achieve I am enamored by athletes who achieve radical goals. Professional athletes; people who quit their jobs to…
Why is Self-Compassion so important (and Biblical)?
What do you think when you hear the phrase: self-compassion? Was your response positive or negative? Maybe you…
Why is Being like Jesus so Hard?
My bathroom remodel seems representative of my walk with Jesus. The remodeling process seems endless. Like the new…
When Tragedy Strikes… What to do When you Feel Helpless
I have spent the weekend trying to make sense out of another mass shooting. But I can’t. I…
Waiting isn’t a Four Letter Word After All
I am not a patient person. Maybe you understand? Waiting has never been a character trait I have…
Sometimes You Win but Most of the Time you Learn
I posted a quote to my teenage son’s Instagram page that read: Sometimes you win. Sometime you learn.…
Reclaimed
The LORD reclaimed you. Isaiah 44:24 (GWT) It has been weeks since I read this verse but it…
How to Make a Sabbath Box
In one of my favorite books on Sabbath, Wayne Muller writes: “Sabbath requires surrender. If we only stop…
Are You an Esther or Mordecai?
Are you Esther or Mordecai? The book of Esther is best known for its main character. Esther was…
25 Scriptures for Intentional Living
Every day is a gift Last week I wrote a blog titled: Yesterday, today, and tomorrow…learning to create…