Lauren’s Blog

Everyone encounters obstacles in their lives. It’s the obstacles, not the opportunities, that build our character and make us resilient. There have been so many times I stumbled in my life and my career – and each time, The Colonel would pick me up, dust me off...

Do you have a skunky attitude? While I think it was Zig Ziglar who first said, “Your attitude determines your altitude,” The Colonel was the first person I ever heard it from, and for 40 years of my life, I thought it was entirely his wisdom. Regardless of who said...

The Colonel said, “If you can’t see the bright side of a situation, don’t give up, kiddo. Start polishing the dull side.” https://vimeo.com/795910558 There is a beautiful quote from A.A. Milne’s book Winnie the Pooh. It is often used or misused on the Internet in...

When I was growing up, we moved a lot. (No, really, a lot.) The Colonel got new orders every few years, and we packed up the house, moved to a new station, and started over. We left behind friendships we’d built, schools and teachers we loved, and states or cities...

The Colonel said, “Reset your nose and get back in the game, kiddo. A setback is merely a setup for a comeback.” https://vimeo.com/791503162 How many times have you put too many eggs (hopes, dreams, plans) into one basket only to find the basket had a hole in it? I...

The Colonel said, “Don’t be afraid to shake things up a bit, kid – even if it’s just in a small way. You don’t have to change the world but work to change the world around you.” https://vimeo.com/789337964   When I was in junior high school, we were stationed...

The Colonel said. "You have to have a purpose that drives you forward, something you really believe in. Otherwise, all you've got left are your warts to focus on, and that'll kill ya every time." https://vimeo.com/787732334 As a professional speaker, I have a...

The Colonel said, “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, kid. They’re what make you human, and they’re the only way you learn. Failure is not fatal.” https://vimeo.com/785080613 Even so… Failure is a hard concept for a Colonel’s daughter. Disappointing The Colonel was...