Living Your Life

Melissa’s Story

December 4th, 2012
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Melissa Betrand Knights (baseball cap) with her children
After a loved one dies, we try to find ways to stay connected to them even though they are no longer physically with us.
Our memories of being with that person, or of just the person by themselves, is a strong bond that can never be broken.  Sometimes we save a piece of clothing they wore or some everyday item that brings great meaning to us.  Being in a particular place, smelling a scent or hearing a song can bring those strong memories back to us without any notice but sometimes that … Read More

Holiday Kindness

November 30th, 2012
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New York City Police Officer Helps Homeless Man Since everything can feel exaggerated during the holidays, doing one kind act can affect change and make a difference in someone else’s life.  Many times when I pass a homeless person on the street, especially if it’s a woman, I think, “There but for the grace of God go I.” If I can, I give money or food.  But the story below about the actions of a New York City police officer shows there is the opportunity to go further.  So many times we read or hear about the negative side of… Read More

Roll The Dice

November 29th, 2012
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A Road in County Kerry, Ireland I am comfortable with the fact that part of achieving something in life means taking a risk.  I’m not talking about a risk to your personal safety or health but an action that is out of your usual routine and a little out of your comfort zone in your personal or work lives. I think that living life means that you should take a chance on something you want to achieve.  I am watching four extremely talented people in my life right now who are really putting themselves out there and working creatively as… Read More

Staying True

November 23rd, 2012
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Thought For The Day (With Thanks To The Silver Pen) www.silverpen.com Everyone should have a dream or two.  They can help motivate you and keep you moving forward. Sometimes you can have a dream for fun as in “If I ever hit the lottery, this is what I would do.”  I always say to myself that if I ever won the lottery or all of sudden inherited a lot of money, I would buy a house at the beach. Then, there are the everyday dreams you can have about your personal life or your work.  Try to be realistic and… Read More

Beers With Friends

November 21st, 2012
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A good friend of mine posted the below story on her Facebook page but there was no source of authorship so I don’t know who wrote it or where it came from. But I thought it was wonderful story, definitely asking me to think about how I spend my time and how I prioritize my life: family, friends, my health, my passions.  Do I get a sense of meaning from my work, daily activities and relationships?  Maybe I am letting the small stuff get in the way of the more important stuff? It’s always healthy to reassess yourself. I try… Read More

Your Digital Legacy

November 20th, 2012
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Every day, several times a day, you electronically email or text someone, update your Facebook status, Tweet, take a picture on your phone or record a moment from your life which you want to save and remember. Just as the internet opened up a whole new world of information sharing in a way no one could have ever foreseen, these electronic tools such as iPhones, computers and other gadgets strive to further break down the walls of communication and help us share everything in a way that wasn’t possible even five years ago. But with these communication opportunities comes a… Read More

A Cartful of Gratitude

November 19th, 2012
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Photo Courtesy of Williams Sonoma Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you and to give thanks continuously.  And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Just like most Americans, I went to the grocery store this weekend to buy food to prepare for Thanksgiving dinner. The store was crowded and the shelves were stocked with all of the things that I buy at this particular time of year: pumpkin, cream cheese, spices, nuts and cranberries.  Depending on the aisle I… Read More

Staying Young At Heart

November 16th, 2012
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Next week is Thanksgiving!! How did that happen? The calendar says November (I checked it!) but I feel I’m still mentally stuck in the summertime.  I really am having a hard time this year getting used to daylight savings time and the day turning dark so early.  It doesn’t feel great to leave work, walk out of the building and it’s already night time.  It is just not my thing at all.  I love it when it is 7 or 8 o’clock at night and it’s still light outside! It’s the best! Plus this year, Thanksgiving seems early and then… Read More

From A Child’s Heart

November 14th, 2012
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I was browsing through two of my Letitia Baldrige books on manners while writing and posting last week about her recent death and came upon a very touching chapter she wrote on how a child learns to communicate a kind thought. I was immediately drawn into the chapter because in today’s world, it is a bit unusual to come across a child of any age who says “please” and “thank you” all on their own. In Baldrige’s book, “More Than Manners! Raising Today’s Kids to Have Kind Manners & Good Hearts,” she discusses the need to teach young boys and… Read More