Is it just me? Or have any of you had the out-of-body experience of severely overreacting to something said to you at just the wrong time, in just the wrong way, in just the wrong circumstance, with just the wrong words and intonation, and (BAM!) suddenly you feel your face peeling off, your fangs popping out, and Cujo exploding from …
Drama-Free Living
One of the things I am most passionate about is the power of operating in work and life “drama-free.” Why? Because I’ve seen the massive positive results that living drama-free can produce with my very own eyes. People who operate drama-free move their personal and professional lives forward in ways that those who live ‘in drama’ can’t even imagine or …
Looking Under the Hood of Shoulds
I’ve been paying closer attention to my health lately. I’m eating more whole foods, especially more leafy greens, berries, and protein, and consuming less alcohol. I’m stretching and walking daily and strength training 3-4 times a week. I’m monitoring and getting better sleep by shutting off electronics and getting to bed earlier. I’m drinking more water and green tea. Besides …
The Worst and the Best is Yet to Come
Someone said to me recently, “Just when we survive the pandemic, then we’re hit with skyrocketing inflation and a likely recession… when will all this ever end? When will things finally get back to normal?!” I just smiled because my experience has shown me that “normal” is anything but black and white. Neither is it a straight line but rather …
The Future
I heard a great quote recently by Amy Mann: If it’s not happening now… it’s not happening. Unlike any other animal on this planet, humans can understand the concept of the future. A blessing and a curse, I think. Our big, powerful brains constantly desire to create a better life, an improved circumstance for ourselves and because we can conceive …
How to Take a Vacation
Over the years, some of my travels have been better than others. I’ve learned a lot (mostly the hard way!) about how to increase my chances of success, and as summer approaches and many of us plan for family vacations, long holiday weekends, and special outings, I want to share some tips for making the most of our journeys. I …
Thoughts for a New Year
Undoubtedly, the year of 2021 brought many changes to your life both professionally and personally. You can be sure that 2022 will be no different. What you currently have, do, feel, and understand will change in the next 12 months in some way. Some things you are anticipating, for which you are hoping or dreading, will never happen; some things …
Music Monday: The Song Within the Silence
Sometimes, when I take a walk with my dog, Sierra, I can tell that she stops to listen to sounds when I hear only silence. Occasionally, at a crowded, noisy event in the midst of competing stories, laughter, voices, serving dishes, and music, I can hear my own internal voice saying something kind, admonishing, or even sarcastic (and I’m often …
Be Where Your Feet Are
This summer, by early August, the fires in Northern California were in full swing. At that point, we had no idea how close and how bad it would get around our little cabin at Echo Lakes, but we were already dealing with low air quality and smokey conditions most days. We had invited my childhood friend, Deb Berecz and her …
Exhaling
One of my favorite mantras is: Life is always working out for me. Boy, did it help to remember and reassure myself of that this past week. As many of you already know, our sweet little cabin at Echo Lakes near Tahoe has been under siege from the Caldor Fire for the past 10 days. Built in 1924 by my …
