I have this friend. She has this gift. It's pretty rare. And I envy her. She has this amazing ability to laugh at herself. Caught in blunders. Using cliches incorrectly.  Or simply breaking out in gales of laughter over a story where she's made a complete ass of herself. She wears this big, genuine smile without a hint of red in her face. She's as comfortable with herself as a broken in baseball glove. I think about myself. I have a curse. It is definitely not a gift. And I am not proud. For... Read Full Story

The water broke a path behind her as she raced onwards. There were whistles and hoots and hollers on the lakeshore.  She continued, oblivious to the cheers. Her path reflected a straight line across the bay. She was riding her jet ski. And she was 91 years old. There is a bravery that exists. A willingness to embrace life to its fullest. This was a woman who had a real zest for life... She was the first to start cocktail hour. Her face in a wide grin, eyes twinkling, as she took in family... Read Full Story

So my friend John asked me the other day if I would be willing to guest post on his site. Sometimes you get these opportunities and you have to think a while about them. Some take no thinking at all. My immediate reaction was, "Of course"!  If you have an extra minute or two, please check out his site, http://www.ezgreatlife.com. It's creative and well written. It focuses on family, fitness and finances. God forbid I write about finances!  And yoga and walking are my only fitness. I'm hardly... Read Full Story

She made you laugh. She was witty and clever. She was fun to be around. She was wild. She was crazy. She talked of others. She seemed to know everyone and their lives. She knew the best restaurants, the places to see and be seen. She seemed magnetic. Yet her following did not stick. She had no depth. You may be as popular as the latest basketball star, but without depth you'll have no deep-rooted relationships. You'll miss out on that friendship bond that is cemented by deepness. But how... Read Full Story

Symptoms of Inner Peace: -A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experience -An unmistakable ability to enjoy the moment -A loss of interest in judging other people -A loss of interest in judging self -A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others -An inability to worry (this is a very serious symptom!) -Frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation -Frequent acts of smiling -An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than to make... Read Full Story

Faith is putting your kindergartner on a bus the first day of school. Faith is trying out a new recipe for a dinner party of six. Faith is climbing that high dive and jumping in. Faith is watching your gymnast daughter's routine on the high beam. Faith is trusting your fellow employee will finish his presentation on time. Faith is holding hope's hand. Faith is  wondering if your blind date will go well. Faith is leaving your child in a baby sitter's hands for the first time. Faith is... Read Full Story

It was gray and it was dark for nine years. It was quiet and it was insidious for even she could not define. It was manipulative and it was accusing for it was always her fault. It was tiring and it was draining for she bared it alone. It was demeaning and it was humiliating for it was behind closed doors. It was jittery and it was fearful for she knew not when it would happen. It was difficult and it was challenging for no one should go through it. It was clandestine and it was... Read Full Story

She was only three years old. We were sitting in the doctor's office. She was on my lap as I read her a book. The Velveteen Rabbit. One of her favorites. We came in that morning because she had slept restlessly with a fever. It was rising. She was quiet and lackluster but still engaged in her book. And then I noticed her head was still. I had asked her a question about the rabbit. No answer. I looked down at her arms which had fallen by her side. Her hands were clenched in fists. Her... Read Full Story

It's Tuesday. Which means it's "Terrible Tuesday". And it's time for the last of our sins in the series of "The Seven Deadly Sins." Today's final sin is: Lust. I saw him walk into the room. He was tall. He was dark. And he was definitely handsome. As the saying goes. I positioned myself where I could keep a good eye on him without being noticed like a spy on a covert ops mission. My insides were doing flip-flops. My legs were a little shaky. And my cheeks were flushed the color... Read Full Story

Count not him among your friends who will retail your privacies to the world. (Publilius Syrus) The gossip was circulating as fast as blood flows through the body.  Why on earth would she do it? She was probably cheating. I hear she was just fed up. But really I think she's just being a bitch. She doesn't know what she wants. She just doesn't appreciate what she has. They were talking about me. I was the one who filed for divorce. I was the only one who knew the reason why. The gossip... Read Full Story