Practicing Mindful Happiness
We are a world of people in a hurry. We are stressed and striving to make it through another day. We sometimes feel used and abused. And every now and then, we want to scream at the top of our lungs, joining in the chorus of miserable people saying, "I'm sick of my life!" When is this chaos going to end? Where are we all going? What are we trying to accomplish by living our lives in pursuit of something we can never seem to catch? We're always trying to get a better job, to improve our relationships, pay off…
Today’s Brilliance from Leah Larson
Have you ever dreamed of doing something big but then dismissed the idea because you thought it was impossible? I founded, edited and published a national quarterly magazine when I was only 13. You're probably wondering how this happened. It all started in the school lunchroom in sixth grade. The lunchroom bustled as my class found our seats. Then, I had a brainstorm, "Wouldn't it be cool to publish a magazine for Jewish girls?" My friend was used to my constant flow of ambitious but usually impractical ideas, so she simply responded, "Yeah, but we could never do it." And…
3 Easy Steps to the Results You Want
I used to be a little insane, just a bit crazy. Albert Einstein once said "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results". That was definitely the insane and crazy me. Then I realized if I wanted my results to be different I needed to change my behavior. I learned that three things could change my results, and my life: Desire... You need to really want to change. Commit... Make the commitment to yourself and to really add power commit out loud to someone else. Persist... NEVER give up until you…
Inventing Shadows
By Gail Lynne Goodwin. Last night most of America watched the hottest show, The Voice. Although I'd never seen the show before, I watched it, cheering for a young woman named Dia Frampton, who performed a new song called, Inventing Shadows. I was very interested because this song was co-written by my Grammy Award-winning, songwriter son-in-law, Josh Kear. The lyrics talk about a fearful man who is always inventing shadows where there are none, and seeing negative things that don't exist. With the combination of the lyrics, the unique quality of Dia's voice and the haunting melody, once you hear…
Today’s Brilliance from Emily Schreiber
Well, I am fifteen and honestly, writing this, I don't feel very brilliant! I am simultaneously writing this ginormous English paper and still have to do physical therapy (a daily treatment for my cystic fibrosis). Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease I was diagnosed with at the age of nine, and everyday I deal with it. CF affects the lungs and digestive systems and is treated through both oral and IV antibiotics. The hardest thing about this is that CF never takes a Christmas Break or weekend off. In order to help fight this disease, I started my own…
Love Never Dies: The Passing of My Mother
My world changed one week ago, when my mother had a stroke. One minute she was pulling weeds in her garden and the next minute she was in a coma in the hospital, from a blood vessel that had burst in her brain. When I got the news, I flew from our home in Montana to my hometown in Pennsylvania. Even though I left as soon as possible, my mother never regained consciousness, and passed away the day after I arrived. I was blessed to spend her last night by her bedside in the hospital and talked with her most…
Today’s Brilliance from Elyse May
When you really believe in something, it shows in what you do, not just in what you say. I've loved animals since I was a little girl. From zoo keeper, to animal breeder, to veterinarian, I've always wanted to work with animals in some way. After two trips to Australia, I've decided that I want to become a marsupial expert and conservationist. When I was 12, I realized that if I loved animals so much, I shouldn't be eating them. I needed to be true to myself, so I became a vegetarian. I never wanted to push my beliefs on…
Happiness: A Choice We Make Daily
My father sent an email to me this morning that touched my heart. I've included an edited and paraphrased version of it below, with the hopes that it makes you smile....... (thanks Dad, for the reminder). A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud woman, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with her hair fashionably combed, even though she is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told…
Share Your Wisdom With Graduates
Graduation is a rite of passage from one part of life to another and a time of celebration. It's also a time for looking forward to creating a life for oneself and making some of the biggest changes in the 18 or so years of life experience. Most of you have already graduated from high school, and many from college. As a gift to my cousin and to my nephew, both of whom are graduating from high school this week, I'm asking for your help in compiling life advice to a graduate. What do you know now that you wish…
The Experience of Being Fish Food- Live In the Present Moment!
Last week I had the opportunity to spend a week with my family enjoying the city of Prague, Czech Republic. As a gift to myself and to my family, I took the week off and completely relaxed. No "working", no blogging, etc. But, as you might have guessed, my mind kept going even if I didn't type the thoughts at the time. I had one experience that I really wanted to share with you, as this blog wrote itself because of this experience. My daughter and son-in-law treated us to the gift of a foot massage at a Thai spa…
The Inspiration of Prague, Czech Republic
Thanks for your patience for my lack of blogging for the past two weeks. We're on vacation with the family, enjoying the beauty of Prague, in the Czech Republic. It's such a beautiful place- perhaps one of the most beautiful cities in the world. For those who haven't been here yet, I wanted to share a few photos taken over the last few days. Please feel free to comment below and ask any questions you may have. This city inspires me! Hugs, Gail
It’s Time to Reclaim Your Brain
Twenty-five percent of young American women would rather win America's Next Top Model than the Nobel Peace Prize. Twenty-three percent would rather lose their ability to read than their figures. When I read that Oxygen Media survey, I tried to go to my happy place. But I couldn't get there. Because I know we have a problem, one that I don't hear anyone else talking about. The problem is not just about that 25 percent of young women who would rather be hot than smart; rather, it's about a culture that actually makes that a rational choice: rewarding girls for…