Back in the 1980s, I had the opportunity to take a sales job. My job would be to focus on gaining new business. It sounded challenging and fun, so I agreed and showed up to work excited for a new opportunity. Unfortunately, it quickly became clear that I was going to have to get comfortable with cold calling. I probably spent more time in front of the mirror whispering, “You can do this,” than I did doing the work. I was great at getting […]
I will always remember the fall of 2011 as a turning point in my life. I was finally on the mend after being sick for over two years. I should have been ecstatic, but instead, my life seemed lackluster. My business was doing well, but my work was unfulfilling. I was dating a man who seemed to care for me, but he was noncommittal. I was existing, but I wasn’t thriving. Plus, I continued to feel there was some sort of change coming, but I had no idea how to […]
Although we rarely think about it, the concept of sharing is basic to human nature. We share our time and talents whenever we are serving other people. Think about the barista who enjoys serving you the perfect cup of coffee. Or the snowplow driver who gets up at 2:00 in the morning (if he even gets a chance to go to bed), so that the roads are clear for the morning drive. I have a friend who is a mechanic that loves diving under the hood of any malfunctioning vehicle. I documented the success of my personal experience with sharing in Let My Legacy Be […]
This past weekend, I had an eye-opening experience that set me back on my heels. After spending a beautiful weekend away in Newport, RI, with friends, I was feeling especially blessed. The weather was beautiful, the food fantastic, and the conversation even better. I was basking in the glow as Rick, and I checked out and prepared for our trek home.
As we crossed the parking lot, I noticed a slightly grizzled looking man sitting back in a lawn chair looking quite proud of himself. There around […]
I love the Fall. The crisp, fresh air is a welcome break from the heat and humidity of the summer. The landscape is morphing from green to warm shades of red, orange and yellow, and the local apple orchard is serving up samples of apple cider donuts along with a fresh cup of cider. The first time I cover my tank top with a sweatshirt made feminine with a colorful scarf, I’m about as happy as I can be.
As fall creeps in, it’s always been a time of new beginnings […]
This past weekend, I was speaking at an event just north of New York City. During my presentation, I addressed the importance of setting personal boundaries in relationships. I noticed one young woman with a quizzical expression, so I asked her if she had a question. She nodded. “What is wrong with ‘making’ something okay with me?” At that point, I shared my own experience of what can happen in a friendship—or any relationship for that matter—when we don’t draw clear boundaries.
In my case, I had a […]
After what felt like a very long, dark winter, Spring has finally sprung here in Upstate New York. I love waking up to the birds singing in the apple tree outside the bedroom window.
With the threat of frost and snow finally gone, I invited a friend over for a visit. Upon arrival, she shared that as she turned down Route 32, a construction truck pulled out to block the lane, forcing her to keep her speed below 30 mph. “It was amazing!” she said. “If […]
I would like to start by thanking all of you who reached out with your condolences on the loss of my son’s friend. I am so grateful. The experience stirred something in me that took me by surprise. In my saddened state, I couldn’t help but fixate on the feeling that the world appears to be a mess. The opioid crisis is just one tiny part. Honestly, I think I had a crisis of faith because I started to wonder if the work I’m doing […]
I received some heartbreaking news this week. A young man who was a childhood friend with my son Ben has died of a heroin overdose. For purposes of this blog, I will call the young man Tommy.
Tommy was five years old when we met. He was a quiet kid—one you might not notice in a room full of noisy kindergarteners. Just before the start of the school year, Tommy’s dad moved in with his father who lived next door to us. I clearly remember wishing […]
I know I promised to begin delving into vulnerability as it relates to guilt and shame, but something came up this past weekend that I wanted to share.
I had a wonderful experience at the Mind, Body, Soul Expo held in Saratoga Springs on Saturday. The place was packed all day long with over four thousand people searching to find ways of feeling better physically, emotionally, mentally and/or spiritually. During the expo, I had the opportunity to speak with many, many people who stopped by my booth. If […]