by johnnoltner
At Carleton College last week, we asked, “When have you been your best self?” We were hosted by the Office of Intercultural and International Life and on Tuesday, 53 students, faculty and staff stopped by to share their response. You can view the collection in the video below or continue scrolling down to see all of the individual responses. Carleton College 2019 from John Noltner Photography on Vimeo.
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by johnnoltner
It’s important that we celebrate examples of success. Our world is filled with challenges, many of them daunting. And it’s important that we address those challenges honestly and directly. But we also need to believe that something better is possible and we do that by acknowledging the times we have gotten things right, amplifying those examples and using them to guide our way forward. Last week we joined The Forum on Workplace Inclusion in Minneapolis and asked, “When have you bridged […]
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by johnnoltner
Last Tuesday night we filled the house (Squirrel Haus) to celebrate A Peace of My Mind’s 10th anniversary. I was touched to see so many people in the room who have helped to nudge this project along through the years. People who have shared their stories, designed our exhibits, edited the books, helped fund our Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaigns, hosted programming, brainstormed ideas and kept me awake with phone calls during cross-country drives. It was a night to celebrate and […]
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by johnnoltner
As a 20-something and a brand new parent, I sat with the pastor of my church and explained to him that I had always wanted to be a part of a church that had a global vision. I wanted to be involved in a group that could offer service to the world, whether it be a health clinic, micro-finance, education or a building program. My pastor listened carefully and then replied, “John, I think that’s a great idea.” I was […]
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by johnnoltner
When the Methodist church voted this week to uphold its opposition to gay marriage and gay clergy, I though immediately of Jarell Wilson, who started his interview by saying, “I am a black gay man living in the south, and I am a Christian.” More specifically, he is a Methodist. Jarell talks about the weight of carrying all of these identities “in a society that is not welcoming of two-thirds of my identity.” Yet he also talks about the beauty […]
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by johnnoltner
I’m good at looking forward. I like to set goals and strategize. I enjoy dreaming and planning and striving. Every time I reach a goal, three more goals take its place. Every time I climb to the top of a hill, I see a bigger hill and wonder what the view would be like from there. The hills become mountains and I’m beginning to think I just like climbing mountains. I’m not so good at looking back. Karen and I […]
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by johnnoltner
To get our new video, click here…but keep reading for a special discount. Happy new year! I learned a lot of things in 2018. Top of the list? I can’t be everywhere. I know it’s true, because I tried. Last year, A Peace of My Mind led programming in 20 states. I drove 40,000 miles and flew even more. I crossed the entire country three times in one week and learned that scheduling will always be messy for this project. […]
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by johnnoltner
We’ve been talking about how we care for one another this fall…how we lift one another up…how we build relationships that allow all people to thrive. In this season of gratitude, think about how you got where you are today. Who has helped you? Who has encouraged? Are there ways you can do the same for others? At West Virginia University at Parkersburg, we asked, “What is the greatest sacrifice anyone has made for you?” It might be an interesting […]
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by johnnoltner
“I think you have to think life…right ’til the end…and then you think eternal life.” I met Tony and Jenny Potts at a Bruderhof community in New York’s Hudson River Valley. The Bruderhof are Christians, living in community…they share resources, faith, and a life-long commitment to care for one another. Tony: We are here to serve others. It’s not a life of getting. It’s a life of trying to see where you can support others, show love and do also […]
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by johnnoltner
I live in the city, but my wife and I have a Christmas tree farm. So I’ve seen the divide. I’ve been on both sides of it. I know how my farm neighbors feel when yet another city person buys the field down the road. I know how my city friends joke about life in the country. I’ve seen kindness and patience on both sides, but I’ve seen lack of understanding and frustration as well. There are differences. In priorities, […]
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