Say Yes to Empowerment

February 18th, 2014
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The essence of resilience is bouncing back to a healthy place after you have been counted out.
Emotionally resilient people recognize that some good can come from even the most traumatic events.  Not only are people resilient but cities can be too.  Look at New York City.  In the 1970’s, New York City was a dangerous place.  It’s economy was on the verge of collapse and its streets and subways were full of crime and gangs and homeless people.  People could not find jobs.  Traveling to New York City today, there is hardly any evidence of its darker and grittier … Read More

Love Somebody — Singers From The Voice

June 8th, 2013
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Melanie Martinez, Mike Squillante and other singers  from NBC’s The Voice Hello Saturday! I’ve got a lot to do today and only so much time to get it done. I bet you also have a full plate today too! So let’s pump up the volume and get it going with this new video a friend sent me yesterday featuring the energetic and talented singers from Season 3 of NBC’s The Voice singing “Love Somebody” at Rockwood Music Hall in New York City:  Mike Squillante, Melanie Martinez, Bryan Keith, Andriana Louise and Suzanna Choffel: http://bit.ly/TheVoice3_LoveSomebody Thanks guys for the energy!!… Read More

Buddy The Elf

December 31st, 2012
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A baby boy crawls into Santa’s satchel of presents and travels back with him to the North Pole….. So begins the wonderful story of “Elf,” a classic Christmas movie which captures the spirit of innocence and hope.  If you’ve never see “Elf,” I highly recommend it. With a new year right around the corner, there is no reason for us to abandon the uplifting feeling of the holidays just because Christmas and Hanukkah are over. Comedian Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf I have watched “Elf” many times when it it isn’t even close to the holiday season just because… Read More

A Silly Video About Scotch

December 28th, 2012
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This post is kindof random but there are times when I just want to be silly and this is one of those times. I saw this video on Daily Candy and it made me laugh.  I wanted to share it with you because it might make you laugh too. . . or at least smile! Please meet Ricky Crawford (he’s cute & has a great accent) in this short video.  Crawford is a former Glenlivet brand ambassador and in this video he gives a charming lesson on how to order and enjoy single malt Scotch. And yes. . . he… Read More

Christmas in NYC

December 10th, 2012
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My son and I took a quick trip to New York City this past weekend, continuing a family tradition started in his childhood.  New York City is magical to us and especially so at Christmas time. Yes, there are a lots of people in the city, especially around Rockefeller Center where the huge Christmas tree in all its glory is displayed, but to us it is worth the effort of manevering in and out of the crowds and then suddenly being able to break through and look up and see the thousands of dazzling lights covering the infamous Christmas tree… 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

A Sweet Smile

October 8th, 2012
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  Photo By Sam Costanza When I first saw this story I thought it was about a guy driving a cab in New York City who just liked to give candy to his customers for fun. But the story is more than that. This quirky story is really about coming to terms with a loss in your life and how this man, who drives a cab in New York City, found a way to rebuild his life and make it less painful by bringing a smile to others.  It certainly is a unique way of dealing with grief. Wouldn’t you… Read More

Remembering Sept. 11th

September 11th, 2012
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One of the reflecting pools at the World Trade Center memorial site in New York City Eleven years ago today, on the crisp and clear autumn morning of September 11, 2001 in New York City and Washington, DC, people went about the business of getting ready to lead their lives. In both cities, people were unaware of the destruction ahead.  People said good-bye to their loved ones and left for work.  They started another day in the one place where they wanted to do their jobs and raise their families. But it was not to be.  Almost 3,000 people died… Read More

Keegan — The Opposite of Loneliness

May 31st, 2012
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Marina Keegan Marina Keegan had something to say and she said it extremely well as a writer for the Yale Daily News. Before graduating from Yale this month, Marina wrote the below column to her classmates, reflecting on her positive college experience, her sense of life’s possibilities and the nervousness of going out into the real world and following her dream of being a writer. As the mother of a recent college graduate, I recognize what she was feeling when she wrote this beautiful column and have heard some of the same thoughts from my son.  Tragically, Keegan’s prescient words… Read More