Like many of you, I like to think of myself as a generous person, or at least that is the ideal I have in my mind about who I am and those I associate with. I have come to believe that we all hope and trust that we have a place inside us that realizes that it is good to be thoughtful, kind, and generous to others, and it’s at that foundation of our deep moral makeup that reflects who we are at our soul level. Now, I know that some people do not feel this way. While I don’t […]
What would you do if you knew you would die today
Not the headline you’re used to seeing, but recently, I was catching up on my reading and came across my AARP magazine (you know, the magazine that reminds us all that we’re over 50 and are on the slippery downhill slope) and the words of the question about having just a few more hours to live jumped off the page at me, and I thought to myself, well, what would I do in the 9 hours I have left? Honestly, I was torn between organizing who would get what and feeling sorry for myself for not having eaten my way […]
May all your dreams come true… even the ones they laughed at
I recently came across a phrase that made me smile when I thought about it… because the truth it holds can be life-changing. May all your dreams come true…even the ones they laughed at. There is something about this phrase that captures me… maybe it’s because I’ve had 1000 dreams, thoughts, and ideas that I’ve tried or have pursued – some to success and, some that are still in my attic and a few that are just sweet memories… but let the record show that at least I tried. I hear a lot of polite snickering when someone verbalizes their […]
Don’t Be a Clapper
Recently, in an interview session, I asked my client what was the best advice she’d ever received, and she replied, “Don’t be a clapper.” What, I said, “What does that mean”? She said that all her life, her parents had told her never to stand on the sideline of life but to jump into whatever opportunity came her way so she wouldn’t be one of the crowd, the audience, or those in the stands, enjoying the action but never participating in the thrilling excitement of the game, the sweat and tears of the action. She said that those sideline people […]
When your past calls, don’t answer
When your past calls, don’t answer; it has nothing new to say. How many times have you fallen back into an old habit or pattern because you answered the call of your past? You know you should not have picked up the proverbial phone, but you did, and you said hello, and now you’re dealing with the aftermath. I’m encouraging you today to say goodbye and leave your past behind you as you move forward. I think it is interesting that so many people I talk with have this same pull–it’s like a spider web that seems to draw many […]
Manners Cost Nothing and Are Priceless
When was the last time someone said “thank you” or “please” to you? Really think about the last time someone out of the clear blue said “thank you” for something kind you did for them or said “please” when something was needed. Oh no! You can’t think of a recent time when someone said those magical phrases in a sincere manner? Well, sadly, that is my point today. It seems so rare to hear a kind word of thanks, praise, appreciation, or encouragement that is not forced or contrived to get you to do something for someone. So, with that […]
Let your light shine
Have you ever met anyone who just seemed to light up a room? Just by their presence, they bring a new dimension to the group. Sometimes these folks are loud in personality and style, and sometimes they are on the quiet side, but what they bring is a feeling of joy in the truest sense of the word, and they radiate an aura of calm and peace and tranquility…and, frankly, they are just great people to be around. Now, you may be saying, “Well, Deb, bring them on because we all could use a friend like that!” I agree, and […]
Patience, Perseverance and Practice
The other day, I saw a man who had the telling scar of a knee replacement, and what made it unusual was that I noticed his knee was stiff and not very workable, so he had learned to swing it in a walking motion instead of walking with a normal gait. When I asked about his surgery, he admitted that he had not done all the exercises that were required right after the surgery, and the knee healed in a stiff position. I am sure that he could stretch the muscles and sinew to make his walking easier and more […]
Change Your Life
For fun, this week, I used Google and asked, “How to change your life,” and lo and behold, you would not believe all the options that are just waiting for you and me to sign up and get going. Most of them had a multi-point plan for us to get going, and others just laid it on the line for what we should and shouldn’t be doing to change our lives. After I read through the multiple lists of options, I had to laugh because, although they all promised success in 429 easy steps, the fact is that none of […]
