Find in your heart love and compassion for all humanity.
Dad gets his singing lesson…
Most of you are familiar with padded cells. You've probably seen them in a movie scene at some point. The "insane" person who's usually not really…
On Sunday morning you’re awakened by the sound of a large truck. Groggily, you look out your window and see a huge moving van. The house next door…
When I was in high school, just a sweet girl of 17, my dad let me drive the car to school. Looking back now, I seriously don’t know how we made it…
I was at a dinner party last week for Librarians on the Go, a group of about a dozen of us that get together every few months to talk about our…
"When I run after what I think I want, my days are a furnace of stress and anxiety; if I sit in my own place of patience, what I need flows to me…
One word can sway a mind. Choose your Word. One song can soften a heart. Choose your Lyrics. One reach can touch a Soul…
Most of us want to accomplish something; do something that will make us feel successful in life. But sometimes the steps to get there seem…
When you what? When you finish school? When you get a better paying job? When you've paid off that loan? When you have a bigger house? When your…
I have a little wooden rooster that sits on a step stool in the kitchen. I’ve had it for years. Unfortunately, dogs, kids, people, mops, etc.,…
A young woman with an old soul ponders complexities of life with remarkable openness and curiosity.
She's an agent of love with insights…
I had to renew my driver’s license this year, and I was pleasantly surprised by how my new photo looked. Instead of eyes halfway opened and an…
“ . . . nobody wants a phony. Nobody ever wants a counterfeit coin.” ~Paul Boynton
It’s often said that imitation is the greatest…
There's no denying technological advances over the last thirty years have brought many benefits to society. However, when it comes to the use of…
Recently, I switched purses to a cross-body because I was going to be doing a lot of walking and didn't want to keep adjusting the ******** my…
“To my taste, the most fruitful and natural exercise of our minds is conversation. I find the practice to be one of the most delightful…
But does it have to be?
I’ve heard this phrase often. Someone tells me about a situation they’re in, and then follow it with, “It is what…
I don’t know of any human, animal, or thing that does not show signs of aging with the passage of time. It’s an indication of life. Of life…
Do you want to feel happy, full of joy, satisfied? It’s quite simple—GIVE!
There’s nothing more uplifting than Giving, providing support…
Illusions! They seem so real, don't they? That's why you believe them. That's why magicians can captivate and hold an audience's attention. They…
You all do it! Worry, that is. You all entertain those thoughts, images, or emotions, usually negative in nature, about some potential catastrophe…
Scrolling through YouTube, I happened to see a video of the starling murmuration. I was enthralled, amazed, in awe, that anything like that was…
“I’m going to write my paper, on Monday.” “I’m going to start my diet, on Monday.” “I’m going to quit smoking, on Monday.” “I…
“There can be no doubt of all the accomplishments prized in modern society that of being agreeable in conversation is the very first.” J.P…
A while back, I was talking to a friend of mine who’d been working a food truck at a golf tournament. They were the only truck around where anyone…
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…
Taking this message to heart will make for a good day.
I'd be happy to have my tax dollars fund this type of groundbreaking and life changing technology.…
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…
"All the FLOWERS of all The TOMORROWS are In the Seeds of TODAY." ~Indian Proverb
You are the Gardener of your life. You…
I agree with this recipe. Would you add anything to it?
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…
This video teaches the "compression-only" version of CPR. I highly recommend taking a class, but this video will show you the basics that can…
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…
I wish I'd seen this in person. It must have been quite majestic.
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…
How great it would be if each and every plastic item could be recycled and remade into something useful. Maybe one day, but we're not there yet…
I’ve been going to my chiropractor for a number of years and a recent visit to his office came with an admirable story about a father’s love. At…
... 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…
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…
Perhaps you’re doing chores at home, driving to an appointment, or cooking a meal, and then it happens—someone you know comes to your mind and you…
”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…
For this installment of “In conversation with…”, I sat down with my tribe member, Kym Allen, a master fitness trainer and instructor, and my…
Jane: I’m really upset!
Judy: Why?
Jane: Can’t you tell?
Judy: No. Is it the new Admin, Kandy Kane?
Jane: No…
Question: (blindfolded)
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…
Dementia isn’t a condition associated with positivity, as cognitive degeneration can rob a person of the life they knew and upend those of their…
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…
A woman in India went into butt-kicking mode when a crocodile attacked her husband. The power of love knows no limits.…
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…
A kind word, a gentle act, a loving smile, are as so many seeds that spring up to bear fruit.” – Gold Dust In 1897, a small…
The following passage from Gold Dust has always given me a sense of protection, knowing that my guardian angel is near at hand:
“Would you…