Have you ever known someone who, just by their mere existence, and no fault of their own, made you feel like less of a success or that your life was somehow less than? Years ago I experienced that feeling which led to an important turning-point in my life. Let me start this story by saying, I don’t consider myself an envious person. Very rarely do I look at someone I know or come to know of and wish for what they have. That was, until I met HER. Let’s call her “Mandy” (cough …
Self Improvement
5 New Year’s Resolutions You Might Actually Keep
As much as New Year’s resolutions get a bad rap from some folks, I just love the holiday itself and the process of setting a yearly goal. There is something so wonderful and refreshing about ending one chapter and welcoming whatever comes next with a cheer and a glass (bottle) of bubbles.. A few years ago I decided to switch up the way I think about my New Year’s Resolutions. In the past I had always chosen to focus on my health or finances but I wondered what would happen if I changed …
The Other F-Word
Feedback. What do you think of when you hear that word? Do you think “YES! An opportunity to grow!” or “Ugh. Great, I get to hear all the ways I’m falling short.”? Or do your feelings on hearing how your doing fall somewhere in the middle? Feedback, whether formal- like in a written review, or informal- like in a casual conversation, can be hard to …
Lost and Found
We don’t talk about loss much in our society. People die, really sad things happen, people send flowers (that if you are like me, you forget to send thank you cards for) and a month or two later, you are going on about your life attempting to operate as if nothing happened. But losing people leaves holes in our lives. Holes that we can’t possibly figure out how to survive within a few weeks, or in some cases even years. Well-meaning friends will tell you their advice on how to move on or move …
Happiness Advice For My Daughters
A few weeks ago I shared some simple advice for my daughters. This week I was inspired to share a few more nuggets I want to impart on my sweet girls. I’ve been thinking about what simple things bring me joy and a few themes appeared: Be Nice To the waiter. To the barista. To the grocery bagger. Every person you come in contact with is an opportunity to leave someone better than you found them. Or, you can simply transact. Which one do you think will leave the world a happier place and …