I felt inspired after seeing Daniel Day-Lewis’ intimate portrayal of Lincoln. The central message I took away was also in another movie directed by Steven Spielberg, Schindler’s List. Both of these illustrate the difference one person can make. Each man answered life’s call in the affirmative, and when he did, the results were nothing short of miraculous. Read more
Today’s issue is #3 is a three-part series and is a follow-up to: A Good Day
Whatever makes you happy. Depending on the context, that phrase can sound trite, if not sarcastic. It seems on some level, we think happiness is a luxury that dare not be entertained in a world with so many problems. Yet now more than ever, I believe that happiness and joy are essential to our lives. Borrowing a line from a Maya Angelou quotation, “We need joy as we need air.” Read more
Today’s issue is #2 is a three-part series and a follow-up to: Why Should You Be Happy?
You get this question all the time. You pose it to your loved ones upon arrival at home. In response you might hear anything from: Pretty good; It was okay, to: Lousy, don’t even ask. Is a good day when good things happen to you and a bad day the opposite? Perhaps on some level, yes, though there’s more to it. Read more
These three incidents happened about 11 years ago, within a period of 12-18 months: Read more
Toward the end of Moonstruck, one of my all-time favorite movies, there is an exchange between Rose Castorini and the college professor (i.e., Olympia Dukakis and John Mahoney). When Rose dismisses the professor’s advances, he tries to save face by concluding that she is unable to invite him up to her place because “people are home.” Rose won’t allow him this rationalization, and her response clarifies: “No, I think the house is empty. I can’t invite you in because I’m married — because I know who I am.” Read more
When changing directions, often all that’s needed is to find the entry point of your new path vs. having to map out the entire route. What happens after you take that leap of faith and you’re a few steps down the new path? We can learn the answer through three clients who recently shared their updates with me. Read more
Same old same old. Get up and do it all over again. These are the expressions we use and how it can feel when the alarm clock goes off in the morning. It takes a conscious effort to approach the same daily routines with newness, yet whether we remember it or not, each day is created new for us and each day, we are able to create anew. Read more
In life there are plenty of unknowns, so it pays to practice “being okay with” those times that are full of questions, even realizing the benefits to these periods such as learning to get curious and to be open to new paths. While some introspection is appropriate during these times, you’ll still need to act on what you know. Hanging out in I Don’t Know Land for longer than necessary is often just avoidance and an excuse for inaction. When your I DON’T KNOW has more to do with fear, it can become a strange kind of mantra that only serves to keep you in place. The remedy? Take note of what you know for sure. Read more
You don’t have to be a big sports fan to get goose bumps when witnessing an Olympic victory. It’s electrifying to see an athlete give everything and then hit the mark. It must be what keeps us watching American Idol or any other of the plethora of talent-search shows on TV these days. All hype aside and despite the manufactured aspects, it is undeniable when pure talent shines through. It sparks something inside us that is much more than a fixation with celebrity. What is it that moves us so profoundly? Read more
Last week while attending a conference in Orange County, California, my husband and I had the opportunity to hear a profound and inspiring message delivered by Sal Giunta, the first living person since the Vietnam War to be awarded the Medal of Honor¹. It seemed both cathartic and painful for Giunta to recount the events that transpired, including the loss of one of his best friends, Sergeant Joshua Brennan. Though uncomfortable with being singled out to receive the honor, Giunta has accepted the responsibility that comes with being a Medal of Honor recipient. Read more