Challenge Chronicles

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

by Lyn Allen | Jan 17, 2023 | Challenge Chronicles, Culture Shapers, Leadership | 0 comments

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

by Lyn Allen | Dec 7, 2022 | Challenge Chronicles | 0 comments

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 | Nov 11, 2022 | Challenge Chronicles | 2 comments

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 | Sep 28, 2022 | Challenge Chronicles, Culture Shapers, Leadership | 0 comments

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 | Nov 23, 2021 | Challenge Chronicles, Change agents, Culture Shapers, Leadership | 0 comments

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...

[The Challenge Chronicles #7] Tractor Trilogy, Part 2

by Lyn Allen | Nov 9, 2020 | Challenge Chronicles, Leadership | 2 comments

Lesson 2, Expanded Capacity: Some adjustment may be needed. Translation: Just because you CAN do more doesn’t mean you can do it easily (or well). There’s a walnut tree on our farm that has a new scar on its side. Yep. Short version: I hit it with a trailer load of...