Five Miles in Sedona with Karen Greene and 40 Years of Friendship

Dialogue Miles

Feb 5

On a recent trip to Sedona, Arizona, my dear friend Karen Greene and I enjoyed a 5-mile walk as part of Dialogue Miles™.

We both graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1981, along with nine other friends of ours who joined us on the recent trip, including our spouses.

Karen and I first met while taking Organic Chemistry, which ultimately led us down a technical path in and around the packaging industry. Karen now leads commercial and technical support for the Lifesciences-focused professional services company Network Partners Group and does technical consulting for the packaging testing laboratory Canyon Labs.

After our walk, Karen and I discussed our greatest takeaways

A Few Things That Stayed with Me

Endurance
Friendship over 40 years. Values shaped by family and education. And finishing a 5-mile hike in 90-degree heat. Endurance shows up in many forms.
Stay Curious
Intelligence grows when curiosity and effort stay consistent over time.
Respect the Craft
Understanding and appreciating someone else’s work builds stronger connections.
Humor Matters
A sense of humor keeps things grounded. It changes how we experience both work and life.
Reject Mediocrity
Settling is easy. Growth requires pushing beyond what is comfortable.
Be Prepared
Sometimes the simplest reminders matter most. Hydrate. Wear sunscreen. Know your direction.