Entries by Virginia Kravitz

Selecting from Your Menu

“I’ll have one of everything.” Imagine you are out to dinner with a friend at a popular new restaurant.  The waiter asks what you would like to have and you proceed to order every item on the menu!  While this may be tempting, you know that it is neither possible nor desirable to consume all […]

Salute to Freedom

What is Freedom? Is freedom something bestowed or declared?  Is it earned, claimed, or innately present?  Ask ten people and you will receive as many answers.  In the personal realm, we measure freedom in terms of our own health, our work, our choices, time, finances, and obligations.  In the larger context of society and the […]

Back On Course

Don’t Throw Away Your Flight Plan Think back to January.  Did you have certain ideas about what you wanted to accomplish by December?  What were they?  It’s just about the midpoint of the year, so now is a good time to check-in.  If you can’t quite see a straight line to your intended destination, don’t […]

Say No Every Time

Three Worthy No’s #1 Michelle was looking forward to spending more time with her newborn son and toddler.  It had been difficult to decline the promotion, so it was a great relief when her boss reacted positively and supported her request to reduce hours.  That’s why it surprised her when, several weeks later, her boss […]

Prune Away!

Making Room for Growth Nature teaches us that pruning is necessary for continued growth.  In horticulture, pruning is “the removal or reduction of certain plant parts that are not required, that are no longer effective, or that are of no use to the plant.  It is done to supply additional energy for the development of […]

You’re Just Getting Started

Regaining Perspective Recently, while at lunch with a friend, I mentioned a challenge I was having with a certain business initiative.  He must have detected a hint of frustration and gave me a surprised look that said, “You’re not giving up, are you?”  Of course not, I reassured him.  “Oh good,” he said relieved, “…because […]

Take a Left

The Kind of Phone Call I Like to Get One evening last summer, my phone rang and displayed the familiar Florida area code.  My father-in-law’s voice sounded pleased.  “I’m calling to tell you that Sandi and I were just out to dinner and as we were driving home, I made a left instead of a right and […]

Real Life Models: Arturo Sandoval

An Undeniable Dream In the biographical movie “For Love or Country,” we learn about the life of the uniquely talented Cuban trumpet player, Arturo Sandoval.  Despite being raised in extreme poverty, Arturo realized his boyhood dream of becoming a musician.  He experienced popular success and critical acclaim while living in Cuba. (1)

The 15-Minute Difference

Morning, Noon, or Night You can do it before rushing out the door in the morning or at the office before turning on your computer.  You can do it during the day or before going to bed.  It doesn’t matter when, as long as you do it.  Giving yourself 15 minutes of quiet time each day […]