Dear Jan, Thanks for letting me speak today. After you read about the seven stages of a life by Shakespeare, I thought, Sheeeesh, that theory needs to be updated! And, as you know, I have a few thoughts of my own, and I’m not afraid to voice my opinions. In short, we keep “coming […]
“Coming of Age” Happens Seven Times – a Letter from Chili Millie Read More »
 Dear Santa, How are you? I am fine. I’ve been mostly good this year and so I’m pretty sure you’ll be coming to my house, although we don’t have a chimney. So I don’t know how you’re going to break into our house—but you seem to know how to do it every year. So I’ll
George Henry, photographer, author and community leader from Cedar Rapids, Iowa was selected as the subject of an interview for my servant-leadership class in the early 2000s. Just as classic stories never seem to age, neither does George, or his wisdom.  Enjoy. Interview with a Servant-Leader George Henry by Jan (Whalen) Roelofs George Henry’s life is
Servant-Leader Lessons from George Henry Read More »
This story is 5 years old, yet it rings true today! Cara STILL has her degree and her education, and still inspires others with her story. ********* A college degree is one of the best gifts you’ll ever give yourself. It’s deliciously something you do for you and only you. It can’t be transferred, stollen
Educational Achievements are FOREVER Applauded Read More »
There was once a person (just like you or me) standing on a hill in a land not very far away. Let’s call this person Chris. All of a sudden on this sunny day, Chris heard the grass rustle and out of nowhere, came a tiger. The tiger began to chase Chris. Of course the
Be Present for Your Life in 2021 Read More »
Happy stories are fun to think about and vital to tell. Using an ocean theme, I call them “Dolphin Stories.” If you’ve ever stood on the deck of a boat on the ocean when all of a sudden a pod of dolphins flank your path—you know how these magical creatures exude joy. When life gets
Count Your Dolphins—Your Happy Stories Read More »
In honor of “Shark Week,†I’d like to say I’ve learned this fact: If it weren’t for the shark events (problems) in our lives, we wouldn’t have any lessons, spice or drama. In other words, our lives would be dull. Yet we don’t usually think of them in that light. Some of us are afraid
Personal Shark Stories are Powerful Read More »
Do you have a brother who means the world to you? I have 3, but today I’d like you to meet Lenis Edward Whalen—or Doc, as he’s called. He’s the doctor you’ll meet at Whalen Chiropractic in Zephyrhills, Florida. At one time, Dad didn’t think Len or I were “college material,” so the day Len
Happy Birthday to the Boy who wasn’t “College Material” Read More »
“You are the perfect age†remains my favorite phrase. It’s the title of one of my books and the trademark of all of my greeting cards. It a bold and optimistic sentence, but every year or so, I ask myself What’s the best lesson for me at this perfect age? How about those 20s? If
The Perfect Age for Reflection Read More »
