Blog | Lyn Allen

Chickens and Goals: Hatching New Perspectives on Achievement and Success

by Lyn Allen | Challenge Chronicles, Culture Shapers, Leadership

Our original goal upon entering the homesteading life was to find a personal balance point between modern conveniences and sustainable self-sufficiency. Let me tell you – in case you aren’t already aware: The self-sufficient lifestyle is physically demanding....

[Challenge Chronicles #12] What NASCAR Taught Me About Achieving

by Lyn Allen | Challenge Chronicles, Culture Shapers, Leadership

I came late to NASCAR as a fan, having successfully avoided sports fandom most of my adult life. So, color me truly surprised to realize I’ve developed an appreciation for the sport and the lessons it offers. For one thing - The fastest car doesn’t always cross the...

[The Challenge Chronicles #11] Building Barns: Turning Dreams Into Reality

by Lyn Allen | Challenge Chronicles

When Gerald began work on building our barn, it took a l-o-n-g time before “progress” was evident. The first thing he did was move a fence and then remove a tree. This was followed by moving load after load of rock mined from the creek bed, to create a solid,...

[The Challenge Chronicles #10] The Dark Side of Normal

by Lyn Allen | Challenge Chronicles

Since the initial pandemic-driven lockdowns in early 2020, we’ve heard the refrain, “….when we get back to normal,” or “when life goes back to normal…” This raises questions for me, including: What exactly IS normal, anyway? Who decides what constitutes normal? And if...

[The Challenge Chronicles #9] A Season of Uncertainties

by Lyn Allen | Challenge Chronicles, Culture Shapers, Leadership

A few years ago, I decided I was ready to give up sheep midwifery. As much as I love the mama sheep, the babies and the always-new experience of birth, the level of care became burdensome. So, the ram was separated from the ewes, permanently, or so we thought. You...

[The Challenge Chronicles #8] The Cost of Living in a Pain-Averse Culture

by Lyn Allen | Challenge Chronicles, Change agents, Culture Shapers, Leadership

On July 21, 1958, Ike was president, Elvis’ Don’t Ask Me Why topped the charts, and my little brother Mark was born. On November 15, 2016, Obama was moving into the final days of his presidency, the Chainsmokers’ Closer was number 1, and Mark dropped dead while...