Drew Downs

Make a New Normal

Living

Life is hard. And full. And awesome. Live it.

  • The phrase is all too common: change for the sake of change. But we don’t actually mean it. We’re trying to say something else without having to say it. People like to say that we shouldn’t change for the sake of change. But it isn’t really true. We often change for the sake of change.…

  • I had this neighbor a few years ago. He made it really clear where he stands about guns. And about what he thinks about everything I value. Years ago, we moved to a small town in Michigan. A bit under 6,000 people and up against the big water. Water to the east, other communities to…

  • Raw, emotional, conflicted. These are the words I used last year to describe 2016, but they bear repeating for this year. But, as one year fades and the optimism of another’s beginning rises here is some of my experience of the past year. This is the third year I’ve taken stock of the year that was. Check out…

  • Whether or not you’re happy to see 2017 go away, we are now into a whole new year. Are you ready to make 2018 the best? Me too. Let’s pick our three words and get moving! Choose 3 Words to Guide Your Year. It really is that simple. Pick three words. Not four. Not phrases.…

  • We want punishment to communicate what it can’t. It’s bad at telling us what not to do and fails to tell us what to do. Punishment isn’t the point. The purpose of punishment is to communicate our intolerance of certain behaviors. It is not about feeling good exorcising our demons stealing the dignity of others…

  • We describe hope with the futility of optimism or as the paragon which keeps us alive. Rarely do we talk about what hope really is. My son asked to play tennis with me. And let’s be honest, the couch was comfortable. I just sat down. But… I said “Sure, Buddy!” and turned to his sister…