Forget the Body and Mind
You can only achieve so much in life. There will always be someone who can run faster, write better, or make more money. You may realize your ambitions but this only ever raises the barriers. Science continually discovers more and more, but the horizon recedes, the expanding knowledge bringing the realization that we know even less now than we thought we did before. Whatever we do in the world can only bring temporary satisfaction. Our bodies may be all that we could wish for - whether it is physical prowess that we desire or attractiveness to the opposite sex (even…
7 Lessons Found in Grief
Three knocks at the front door wake me. Two emergency responders greet me with news that my twin daughter is dead. She is 16 years old; me, just 40. An odd clarity washes over me... We are all rowing our boat across the river of life; all starting on the same shore, all going to the shore across the way. Some row one way; some row another way. The current runs swift in some areas; in other areas we can glide. Yet, in the end, we all get to the other shore. Eight years later, this I believe: What matters…
A Random Act Of Kindness
If I were looking back from the end of my life and telling others what would help the world, what would make the biggest difference, I would ask each person to look around today and find a small "Random Act of Kindness" they could do that would help a stranger. I would say to go against your ingrained biases, suspend judgment, and think the best for someone who appeared to be on the other "side." Do something to help them without thinking of a return. I believe that when you envision the best traits for someone in need, they may…
Remember to Experience the Magic of Childhood!
In today's busy tech oriented world, I have been fortunate to discover an incredibly simple source of inspiration... children. As a career-oriented woman, I took a pass on having my own family. Yet in the past few years and for a variety of reasons, I have had an awakening that we should all be more childlike. Children always have time to examine a new flower or exclaim over a rainbow... they also are quick with a hug... which is quite priceless when you think about it. Little kids are non-judgmental and enjoy a good belly laugh more often than not.…
Make Time for What’s Important
Make time for your hopes, dreams and goals. Five years ago I had a life-altering experience that has contributed to the person that I am today, the adoption of my daughter, Mia. As my love for her grew, so did my hopes, dreams and goals, which were no longer just for me anymore but also for my daughter, husband, family, friends and the global community at large. With the demands of our busy lives it is so easy to lose sight of our hopes, dreams and goals. At every turn we are distracted by text messages, cell phone calls and…
The Importance of Smiling and 15 Other Life Lessons of Kindness
Be still in your life. Take time to listen to nothing but the sound of your own thoughts. Learn to like your own company. Share with others what you have. Even if it is just a dollar, share it. Listen with your heart. Do not be in a hurry to tell your story. Listen as others tell their story first. See what needs to be done, and do it. Do the dishes need to be washed? Yes? Then wash them. Are there dirty clothes on the bed? Yes? Put them in the hamper. Send a smiley to someone just because…
Share Your Wisdom
If everyone shared the lessons and knowledge of their lives, we could learn so much from each other, and there would be more empathy and less strife. Here is the wisdom that I’ve gained in my thirty-seven years: The color of someone’s skin or their financial status shouldn’t define how they’re treated. Someone else’s religious beliefs shouldn’t offend you if your own faith is strong. It’s easy to let drama into your life but it’s harder to get rid of it. Don’t stress out if no one else has faith in you, just have faith in your God and that’s…