Welcome To The Real Us.
We’re Elizabeth Kraus and Sheila Lamont. We met as neighbors in Boulder, Colorado in 2010, and our friendship grew during frequent hikes in the foothills. We were great friends until…..we weren’t. Our friendship “paused” for eight years until we reconnected in a meaningful way when Sheila picked up the phone to have an eight-year-overdue honest conversation.
Although we now live thousands of miles from each other, we stay close with our imperfectly honest phone calls and written thoughts. We learn something from each other every time.
We welcome you to eavesdrop on our conversations and read about what we’re thinking. We hope that when you do, you learn a little about us and a lot about yourself.
Candid Conversations
Do You Hear What I Hear?
Our own voices sound different (and better!) in our heads than in a recording. That observation led Sheila to consider all the other ways people can “hear” the same thing in different ways, and the interpersonal issues that can cause. What would happen if we paused to ask “do you hear what I hear?”
Would You Change Anything From Your Past?
Rethinking past life choices can summon up both painful challenges and joyful successes. Elizabeth and Sheila take that backward look in time, and agree that those mountains climbed in the process may have helped to shape them into who they were meant to be.
Why I Don't Apologize for Unanswered Emails
Nearly every email I receive seems to start with “Sorry for the delay.” I realize that people do this as a sign of respect, but it actually has the opposite effect on me.
My Sister and Me: Questioning the Road Taken
A year after losing her sister, Sheila reflects on her choice to move closer to her, and the time they got to spend together. In an exchange with her past self, she explores grief, resilience, and the lessons learned.
Online Dating: When Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone is Too Uncomfortable
It can often be a true growth opportunity to try new things that attract us but are also challenging and move us outside our comfort zone. Sheila and Elizabeth discuss their recent forays into online dating.
Criticism: A Mirror, Not a Weapon
What if we made more of an effort to view criticism from others like a two way mirror? We can see how their words reflect something about us and about them as well. Elizabeth and Sheila discuss an Oscar Wilde quote: “Criticism is the only reliable form of autobiography,” to explore dynamics of criticism, weaving in personal experiences for extra color!