Not all gifts involve making beautiful music, capturing the feelings of a moment with a paintbrush, or competing at the highest level of a sport. Curiosity is a gift Dedication is a gift Perseverance is a gift Empathy and genuine concern for others are also gifts. Not every person will become famous for honing his or her gift to its highest potential. But each of us can improve the world that we share when we…
In our darkest and most challenging moments, we are not looking for someone else to provide a solution. We are only in search of a warm hug and an understanding shoulder for a moment of respite. In that safe place, we can rest and find the courage and strength to summon the solution that is dwelling deep inside of us.
For nine years now I have been blessed to have had a special little girl named Echo in my life. Echo is her own person. She makes her own rules. And if you don’t like it, well… get over it because she won’t be changing anytime soon. She has set times for her meals and snacks. She owns t-shirts that read “Call me boss” and “I make the rules”. Echo is also very affectionate.…
Many people look at fall as an end to summer rather than a the beginning of winter. We see leaves dropping from trees, days getting shorter, and feel the chill in the air. But while fall is the end of the playful summer season, it is also signaling that soon we will be at the beginning of a brand new year. And what better time to begin an intensive cleaning project than before diving into…
Pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone is the only way to reach your full potential. When you feel the pressure and tension that comes from trying something new and taking a risk, remember how diamonds are made. You need to endure the pressure and the heat that comes from the sweat of your brow. The choice is yours. You can remain a lump of coal with an unknown potential or take the heat and…
There is very little that exists in this world beyond your own body that you actually have control over. So when you are searching for happiness, look within yourself rather than out in the world. You can control how you feel deep in your heart and what you choose to view as valuable. Feelings of gratitude for the blessings in your life will bring far more happiness than the pursuit of material possessions.
Even when you plan carefully as you prepare to make a change, there comes a time when you are forced to take a leap of faith to reach your goal. It is this leap that will determine your future. If you really believe in what you are doing, you will find the strength and courage to make the leap. If you just can’t make yourself take that next step, then don’t. Something is not aligned,…
Even those of us who are not Jewish know that Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement. It is a Sabbath day that focuses on atoning for one’s sins. Jews are making a final appeal for forgiveness, showing their repentance, and making amends with God. But what do this day and its purpose mean for those of us who are not Jewish? Atonement is defined as reparation for a wrong or injury. And while we…
When you feel like it is time for a change in your life, make it happen. You might be bored, feeling lost, or just unsatisfied, all of these feelings are signals that you need to make a change. Never settle for a life that does not challenge you, make you happy, and force you to grow as a person. Also, never wait for that change to come to find you. Take responsibility for your own…
I have been blessed with the best parents anyone could ever ask for. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better set. When medical professionals told my parents I would never be able to be independent because of my learning disabilities and when a job coach said that I would never live above the poverty line… my parents decided to not buy all that and continued to encouraged me to believe in myself. Mom and…