As I begin the process of signing up for Medicare this year, the idea of retirement has naturally started to cross my mind. And with that, I’ve been reflecting on the kind of wealth I’ve built over my lifetime. For most people, wealth is defined by numbers—a well-funded retirement account, a diverse portfolio, and a […]
April 10 is designated as National Erase Self-Negativity Day… if only it were that easy!Have you ever noticed how you can be your own worst critic? That’s true for most of us, and here’s why: 1. Our Brains Are Hardwired for Negativity Our default mode is to notice what’s wrong instead of celebrating what’s right—especially […]
September 28 is R.E.A.D. in America Day, which stands for Reading Helps Everyone Accomplish Dreams. I’m passionate about accomplishing my dreams while helping others accomplish theirs. Accomplishing one’s dreams involves three steps: Exposure Vision Action Reading is crucial for the first step. Imagine if you were born to be a downhill skier but lived in […]
Beyond my birthday, October has many observances that I believe in and support involving diversity, anti-bullying, anti-violence, crime prevention, LGBTQ, dropout prevention and mental health. With that in mind, I wanted to focus on something I learned many, many years ago. According to philosopher Erich Fromm, “The opposite of love is not, as is often […]
This year, Aug. 13-17, is National Simply Your Life week. According to the website, nationaltoday.com, “National Simplify Your Life Week” is observed yearly during the first week of August. Though its origins are unknown, it is abundantly clear that the week is for decluttering and simplifying one’s life, which involves getting rid of physical and […]
March is National Kidney Month, and I am so happy to report that my good friend, Sylvester Baugh, received the kidney that gave him a new lease on life on March 18, 2021. Last year at this very time, I remember looking at him and thinking I needed to prepare myself for his eventual death; […]
With September being designated as “Self-Improvement Month,” I wanted to write about a new model for work/life balance. Forget about trying to achieve some magical balancing point between your life and your work. It’s arbitrary at best. Instead, strive for life balance by balancing your needs. According to Choice Theory® psychology, everyone is born with […]
August 18 is National Serendipity Day. Serendipity is defined as the occurrence and development of any events by happenstance in a pleasant or useful way. This day encourages us to appreciate those unexpected, pleasant things. I have a mantra I’ve been living now since January that my friend, Scott D’Alterio, shared with me: “Nothing happens […]
July is considered National Anti-Boredom Month. The idea is to identify what “makes” you bored and devise ways to combat it. The problem, from a Choice Theory® perspective, is that nothing can “make” you bored. If you are experiencing boredom, you may want to ask yourself, “What is this boredom doing for me?” Honestly, I […]
July is Social Wellness Month—a reminder that relationships are key to a healthy lifestyle. Humans have a need for connection; some of us have a stronger need than others. If you are someone with a lower need for connection, you might be satisfied with a beloved pet and few people in your life. Those with […]
