Your Basal Ganglia is Your Friend
Why do we resist change? There are various reasons. And this morning I want to focus on this idea: we want to conserve resources. And to...
top of page
Search
David Westerlund
May 23, 20193 min read
Creating a Partnership of Understanding
I remember when I was in engineering school (in the 90s) that I did well in my first three semesters of Calculus. Then I got to...
19 views3 comments
David Westerlund
May 11, 20192 min read
At the Intersection of Joy and Fear
I have it posted over my desk. Here’s why: It's where I want to live. It's where juicy things happen. The intersection of Fear and Joy is...
58 views1 comment
David Westerlund
May 2, 20193 min read
Speaking Up as Second Nature
When disasters occur like the recent Boeing crashes, or sexual abuse scandals like the one with Larry Nassar, the USA gymnastics team...
27 views1 comment
David Westerlund
Apr 18, 20193 min read
Building Resilience
There are so many people who go into non-profit work because they are passionate about the mission. Often they find themselves getting...
32 views0 comments
David Westerlund
Apr 11, 20193 min read
Play is Essential
When we hear the word ''play'' or ''game'' we often relegate it to ''outside of work activities", right? Play is often seen as frivolous...
37 views0 comments
David Westerlund
Mar 21, 20192 min read
Latent Joy
Inside Everyone Is a Great Shout of Joy Waiting to be born - excerpt from ''Winter of Listening'' - a poem by David Whyte Last March I...
28 views0 comments
David Westerlund
Mar 14, 20191 min read
Don't Pay Attention
An often quoted poem and favorite of mine: Instructions on Living a Life by Mary Oliver Instructions on Living a Life Pay attention. Be...
6 views0 comments
David Westerlund
Mar 7, 20193 min read
the Worst Result Imaginable
How can we make sure this house does NOT survive a hurricane? Instead of going for the best outcome, let's imagine that we are aiming at...
24 views0 comments
David Westerlund
Mar 1, 20191 min read
You have what you need already
Imagine Soil. Air. Water. Seeds. Sun All separate. All in their own silos. The magic happens when they come together; when...
22 views0 comments
David Westerlund
Feb 14, 20192 min read
Change Happens
Every day things do not go according to plan. Every day things change. How do you feel about that? Do you resist that reality? We can...
34 views0 comments
David Westerlund
Feb 7, 20192 min read
What Metaphor are You Living In?
(YES my blog told me it needed a vacation. So I listened. AND It's good to be writing again, And I'd love to hear from you! ) There's...
23 views0 comments
David Westerlund
Jan 10, 20192 min read
An Artificial Sense of Constant Crisis
Good communication is central to having a high-functioning organization. Today I want to look at our cultural habit around email...
48 views0 comments
David Westerlund
Jan 3, 20192 min read
Yes, I'm diving in!
If ever there were a moment to Underthink It, it’s on New Year’s Day here at Lake Padden in Bellingham. It’s the annual Polar Bear Dip....
42 views0 comments
David Westerlund
Dec 20, 20183 min read
The Space Between
Whenever I am in the woods, I ask myself, “Why am I not here more often?!” I can feel how good it is for my mind, body, and spirit to be...
37 views0 comments
David Westerlund
Dec 13, 20182 min read
Shifting the Question
Last Fall I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Gabor Mate speak. His research into addiction, stress, disease, ADHD is fascinating and...
24 views0 comments
David Westerlund
Dec 6, 20185 min read
Addressing Homelessness through Presence and Play
"THEY DIDN’T BECOME HOMELESS FROM RUNNING OUT OF MONEY. THEY BECAME HOMELESS FROM RUNNING OUT OF RELATIONSHIPS." - Hans Erchinger-Davis,...
74 views1 comment
David Westerlund
Nov 29, 20183 min read
Overcome Fear by Facing It
Two weeks ago I was scheduled to perform at our local improv theater – The Upfront – here in Bellingham, Washington. And I was thinking...
64 views0 comments
David Westerlund
Nov 15, 20183 min read
Visceral Trust is Foundational
Trusting and attuned attachment relationships are foundational to healthy child development. Trust is something we learn or don't learn...
48 views0 comments
David Westerlund
Nov 8, 20182 min read
Anything Worth Doing is Worth Starting Small
Several years ago I decided that I was going to start a daily yoga practice as a way to get my blood flowing every morning. The key for...
33 views1 comment
bottom of page