The three most important words to say! The three hardest words to say! The three words most taken for granted! The three…
Has that ever happened to you? Where a feeling rushes over you like some kind of warning? It does to everyone. You're about to say or do something…
The Stolen Lap Top, Part II
We made our way to the gate, all the while my eyes scanning the airport. A part of me was still hopeful I’d…
The Stolen Laptop, Part I
Several years back, I went to South Carolina with my son and grandson to visit family. Because I wanted to be…
So often I’ve heard people say, “If I had money, all my problems would be solved.” Or, “If I won the Lotto, I’d be able to help so many people…
Anoche en mi sesión de grupo de apoyo alguien menciono que no quería estar sola, que por eso se quedaba con su esposo, una persona que la humilla…
"All the FLOWERS of all The TOMORROWS are In the Seeds of TODAY." ~Indian Proverb
You are the Gardener of your life. You…
Finding a four-leaf clover has been considered a source of good luck. Unfortunately, the chances of that are estimated at 1 in 10,000. This cute…
One of the things I love about being a librarian is you can tell people to be quiet when they are talking and they have to listen (or comply). I…
Or more realistically, “Until you do something I don’t like.”
A while back, I attended the beautiful wedding of a young couple in their…
You are the Pilot of Flight #727. Everyone and everything that needs to be on that flight, is. Everything is loaded and ready to go. The control…
Recently I had a conversation with a young woman who told me she had an interest in someone but was afraid to ask him to hang out. When I asked…
... vs how cats think.
Client had a recent situation come up with her BF and it upset her enough that we needed to address it today. Her BF went to dinner with a friend…
A friend moved back to town who I hadn’t seen since she graduated college. She was married now and I was eager to meet Troy, her new husband. I…
Dot-Marie Jones is a woman. At first glance, however, if you're not paying close enough attention, you might think she's a man.
I first…
A criminal committed a crime. (Because hey, that’s what criminals do.) Anyway, he was sent to the king for his punishment. The king told him he…
To a librarian the term “inner citadel” could mean a few different things. It could be what I like to call the inner sanctum of the library—a…
“Mary Jane” has been an excellent employee most of her life. She has worked hard, has gone above and beyond the call of duty, traveled three weeks…
Sentido es decir Sentido significa
"Lo que adentro se disuelve afuera se resuelve"
Cuando tu cambias, aunque nada cambie, todo…
Did you hear about Monday’s mass shooting in Farmington, New Mexico? It’s a small town of just over 45,000 people. Three people were killed, 6…
The other night while finishing my Chinese food, I was wondering what was in my future via my fortune cookie. Will I be going on a cruise, or…
”The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.” – Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor and Philosopher Last…
DO YOU SAY YES WHEN YOU REALLY WANT TO SAY NO? If you're nodding your head, then you're not alone. It's not uncommon for many of you to say Yes to…
They’re inevitable! Often during your Life’s Journey, you will come to that proverbial Fork in the Road. And it won’t be just once; it will show…
See here how it's done…
Of the 72 Roman emperors, Marcus Aurelius, who reigned between 161-180 CE, still reigns supreme in my mind. It's not just because he had curly…
Jane: I’m really upset!
Judy: Why?
Jane: Can’t you tell?
Judy: No. Is it the new Admin, Kandy Kane?
Jane: No…
While organizing my book shelf of Roman emperors over the weekend, I took a look at King Charles’ coronation and couldn’t get over Princess Anne’s…
No, I’m not getting personal! But, let’s do talk about constipation—Emotional Constipation—that is!
But first let’s take a look at…
Somewhere someone is looking for exactly what you have to offer. – Louise Hay
How cool is that! You, yes you, have exactly what someone is…
This morning when you woke up you did not know this. I am happy to be the bearer of such great news!
You’re probably scratching your head…
A lot of people don't like change. They consider it scary. After all, when change comes, it often disrupts the safe little life that has been…
Who doesn't experience challenges? We all do. They are life’s speed bumps. They show up when you least expect them. And they definitely slow us…
A while back our kitchen clock fell off the wall, the glass breaking into several pieces. It had to be thrown out. Only after the clock was no…
Our co-founder, Mark, who makes youtropolis work smoothly and efficiently has come down with Covid. Please send him some love to help him heal…
(Tweet sent to me on Twitter @askjoshsmom).
When I received this tweet, I was stunned! Why would anyone write this? I had to read it a…
Things happen in life. Things we don’t like. Things that make us feel bad, and create turbulence. Sometimes those things seem like Everything—like…
Sometimes gifts keep giving.
The first time I realized that gifts can exceed their worth or utility was during my run for Congress…
You stop at your neighborhood 7-Eleven, and purchase one Lotto ticket. It’s not going to win, you’re sure, but you’ll check tomorrow night anyway…
You’re driving down the freeway going about 80 miles an hour; a tad too fast, but hey, you’re going with the flow of traffic, right? You’re going…
Several years back, my youngest brother told me that he loved a painting called The Nightmare by Henry Fuseli (1781). He asked me to paint it for…
Ever feel like your life is empty, meaningless? Do you ever wonder, "What's the point?"
Let me tell you what the point is: You matter! You…
Have you ever felt so heated during an argument with a loved one that you’ve said something really mean and hurtful? Then after you said it, you…
You’re in the kitchen preparing your favorite pasta meal. You pour your penne noodles in the boiling water. It should only take about 9 minutes…
We encounter countless people every day. Strangers, if you will. We see them at the supermarket, the gas station, the mall, the gym, or even in…
“ . . . nobody wants a phony. Nobody ever wants a counterfeit coin.” ~Paul Boynton
It’s often said that imitation is the greatest…
Back in July of 2014, the Ninja roller coaster in Magic Mountain, located in Valencia, CA, going at approximately 55 MPH, ran into a tree branch…
Partner or Crutch?
Even the best relationships have their challenges. If you’re in one, you might be struggling to make things work. If…
THE CAKE SITS BEFORE YOU, THE CANDLES AGLOW . . . “Make a Wish,” everyone yells. And you do. You close your eyes, blow as hard as you can, and…
How much should dead batteries cost?
Actually, there should be no charge!
A story I heard:
A man was brushing his teeth when he saw an angel standing behind him reflected in the bathroom mirror. The angel said to…
While making my lunch the other day, I reached into the tortilla chip bag and pulled out this perfect heart-shaped chip. How amazing is that! It…
Remember...no one MAKES you angry. You decide to use ANGER as a response.
Have you ever had one of those dreams where you’re walking down the street and you realize you’re naked? Everyone around you is staring but there’…
I don’t think there’s a soul out there who hasn’t experienced the embarrassment of having eaten and gotten a piece of spinach or black bean stuck…
Tonight's full moon was beautiful and sorta pink after all.
Youtropolis has formed an alliance with Happy Harvesters, a grassroots movement that gleans produce from neighborhood backyard trees and donates…
People make mistakes. The saying, “People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones,” was created for a reason. Everyone messes up at some…
Several years ago, I frequented library book sales and antique bookstores, always arriving early and eager to find something different and…
I wish for people to just leave others alone. Believe what you will, but don't force others to do the same. The trouble starts when someone thinks…
The tunnel is long and dark. You’ve been traveling for a while now wondering where it’s leading you. Every step you take feels heavy, exhausting…
UPDATE: On July 5, 2023, Canada's updated travel advisory to citizens traveling to the United States includes the following warning for gun…
When I was about six or seven, my mom took her prized philodendron outside and asked me to “squirt the leaves off.” Apparently, I gave her a…
Sanatana’s “We’ll see…” post stimulated several of my “we’ll see” memories. One in particular came to mind I’d like to share. I was hired as an…
This weekend I was looking at my You Factory stats to see how much love I’d given over the last seven days.
I noticed that overall my you-…
Silence can be deafening.
There is nothing louder than the silent treatment; nothing more uncomfortable, and abusive (other than physical…
With humility and humble household objects, this artist creates a beautiful world out of thin air, making life brighter with each added touch of…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-v8p223bS8
Somebody definitely spiked the punch bowl, uh-huh, uh-huh…
When a small, torn piece of paper fell out of a book I borrowed, I noticed words scribbled in ballpoint pen:
- is it true Is it…
One of my favorite things to do is tour Youtropolis cities and discover the miracle its founder would perform if given the chance. Not only does…
Get ready; it's time to barbeque! Over 125 best recipes for both charcoal and gas grills.
I was moved by this poem, written by Tyre Nichols' sister. Simple, honest, heartbreaking. I heard it today and thought I'd share.
I’m just…
...there was Nancy Sinatra…
Years ago when I was eleven years old, I was given a sage piece of advice I’ve never forgotten. It followed a family gathering that nearly came to…
Question: Should I continue shopping at a store that refuses to pay its workers a living wage?
I wish I knew why my pond gathers worms every time it rains. There are three, four, five, or more worms wiggling in my pond, and I can't figure…
