Social Grace

Hope for the New Year

It’s funny, but when I think about repeating myself, I am reminded of a quick story. When I wrote my first book, “Speak Without Fear,” my editor said, “Deb, do you know you repeat yourself on the big ideas you have in the book?” to which I replied, “It’s because no one listens, so you have to say it over and over and in different ways,” which is fine for speaking, but not such a good idea for a book. I am in hopes that my second book, “Powerful People Take Up Physical Space,” will be out in a few […]

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year

As I thought about what to give as a word of encouragement this week, I wanted to share something that would be uplifting and not just educational or a training session, so when I found the first part of this poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson, I knew I had landed on my thought for this weekend before Christmas. Friend, this year – Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. That means that every day, all 365 of them coming, you have a chance to write a different story, sing a different song, […]

I Choose to live by Choice, Not by Chance

I Choose to live by Choice, Not by Chance ~ Miranda Marrott I came across this quote online the other day, and I really like it for this Christmas season because it puts in place what I consider the realities of life – the simple facts that are truth for so many of us… what I like is as I read through the list, I believe you’ll come to understand the proper steps for our success…meaning that you (and I) need to choose… I choose                                                           To live by choice, not by chance; To make changes, not excuses; To be motivated, […]

Your Story Isn’t Over Yet

Your story isn’t over yet. In praise of the humble semicolon I know it seems odd to write a post about a punctuation mark, but recently, I was at a restaurant, and my waiter had a very pronounced semicolon tattooed on his arm, and I asked about it. He told me that the semicolon is now the symbol to recognize those who have struggled with depression, anxiety, addiction, and/or suicidal thoughts. I had not heard about this trend of using the semicolon as a symbol of hope. The waiter went on to explain that the semicolon represents “a sentence the […]

Be gentle with everyone you meet

If there is one thing I have learned in life, it is this: Be gentle with everyone you meet–you have no idea what has happened to them on their life journey. As most of you know, I am a speaker. I stand before audiences of 100 to 1,000 on any given week, and it never fails–really, it never fails–that someone who looks like a million bucks or who is the life of the party or who carries themselves with such apparent ease is the one who carries the deepest scars. Over the years, I think I’ve developed something like a […]

You can never leave footprints that last

You can never leave footprints that last if you are always walking on tiptoe. Leymah Gbowee If you’re like me, you see a quote, and it just strikes you as a great mental stop. That is what happened with today’s quote and theme. Those who know me know that I am not someone who tiptoes around issues–it is a time matter for me. I don’t like to waste time when, with a direct response, decision, or action, I can move on to other things. No doubt this has gotten me in trouble at times, but chalk it up to impatience […]

You can dwell on it for the rest of your life.

One of the great joys of doing this radio show is all the nice people who call or email me and tell me how a certain show was meaningful to them, from how much they liked a certain guest to some asking questions about who to turn to for help. Since I am not a licensed counselor or an HR person, I like to suggest some good people I know who may be able to help those who reach out to me seeking answers. I cannot help everyone, but I certainly will try to send them to those who might […]

Wouldn’t it be great if everyone was happy to see you?

Wouldn’t it be great if everyone was happy to see you? I mean, I’m really happy to see you every time you came around. Recently, I saw a photo online of the most adorable little boy who was at an amusement park where he met someone in a costume who looked just like Tinkerbell. She was beautiful and looked very kind and sweet as she kneeled down to hug him and speak to him, and the look on his face for his parents’ camera was so full of happiness, glee, thrill, elation, excitement, and pure joy. When I posted the […]

Living a shadow life

I just finished reading a book called “Turning Pro” by one of my favorite writers, Steven Pressfield. His other book, “The War of Art,” is a classic, and I can tell you it changed my business life when I read it years ago, so when a friend mentioned that he had read another good Pressfield book, I had to pick it up. And there’s an idea in the book that is so simple, yet so true, that I couldn’t get away from it; I have been thinking about it for days, and I wanted to share it with you. It’s […]