Drink Well This Holiday Season

by Brian Freedman

I like to think of the holiday season as both the capstone of the current year and a harbinger of the one to come. As such--and perhaps this is the main reason I espouse this philosophy--you’ve virtually required to drink well. After all, who wants to bring the past 300-plus days to a close with the resounding thud of mediocre wine? And who wants to ring in a new season with a less-than-promising glassful? And while it seems as if summer has just ended, the season of forced jollity and medically (or at least psychologically) necessary sipping is nearly upon us. Time, then, to answer the single most burning question of all: What shall we drink? Read More

Be Fabulous at Heart This Holiday Season!

by Joy Weaver

Want to have a fabulous holiday season this year? Try having exceptional manners from the heart! Good manners come in many forms; they start in the heart of the giver and end in the life of the recipient forever. From the smallest gesture to the most elaborate plan we can light a manners flame that ignites into the spreading of a kindness wildfire. Read More

It’s Not a Likely Story, Cinderella

by Sandy Dumont

Liza Doolittle, Cinderella and Pretty Woman. What do these three fictitious characters have in common? They all transformed the way they looked and changed their lives. You may recall that Cinderella was transformed in the twinkling of an eye by her Fairy Godmother; and Julia Roberts’ character in the film Pretty Woman was transformed in one day, thanks to the credit cards of her benefactor at the most exclusive shops on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California. Read More

How to Get Along with Difficult People

by Debbie Mandel

From an evolutionary standpoint human survival has always depended on our ability to get along with others. Staying together and cooperating while hunting, cultivating crops, protecting each other from physical danger or supporting one another emotionally and creating social contracts is a necessity. Because it is human nature to transgress against the people closest to us, reconciliation must follow. Note that according to positive movement researchers like Dr. Martin Seligman, unresolved conflict, particularly in families and close friends, can cause physical illness as well as depression and anxiety. Plain and simple: Your happiness and well-being depend on your ability to get along with other people. You will live longer and experience greater life quality.
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Sprouting Memorable Holidays with Purpose and Aim

by Debra J. Slover

Normally when I write about a purpose and aim, I am referring to a compelling life purpose that expresses your true leadership.  It’s the kind of leadership that gives your life meaning, is fueled by passion, and makes a difference for you and those around you. The two questions most commonly asked: How do I know what that is and how do I access it?  First, you pay attention to those little things you commit to memory. Things worthy of remembering or notable are called memorable, and we commit to memory only that which is relevant to our conscious and unconscious mind. The little things that we don’t consciously see as memorable are the memories we may want to heed when searching for purpose and aim.
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Get Organized for a Festive Meal

by Dayna Brandoff

It’s November.  You’re juggling end-of-year budget meetings, vacation plans and holiday gift lists. With all the other responsibilities you have to contend with this time of year, the thought of preparing the Thanksgiving meal can be overwhelming. It’s helpful to treat this holiday like any other project and to combat the stress by getting all those to-dos down on paper and asking for help when you need it. Chances are, if you’re cooking this type of meal, you know about it well in advance, which is fortunate, because the key is planning ahead and sharing the work.  Following is a list, which will help you get organized for the most wonderful time of the year. Read More

Inspiring Awe

by Rena M. Reese

Familiarity with the awesome components of life can dull our sense of awe.  This familiarity can mute the remarkable nature of that which we experience regularly.  As defined, awe is a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder. Perhaps we take for granted and do not offer respect to that which has become commonplace in our lives. Awe requires conscious recognition. That consciousness is what defines our human experience.  Awe requires that we notice all that is around us and how terrifically unlikely any of it is to exist—and to see how everything is a masterpiece.  It has been said that once you can find awe when looking upon anything, you can find awe in absolutely everything.  Read More

The Power of Intuition

by Andrew Appel

“The problems of the world will not be solved at the same level of thinking that created them.”- Albert Einstein. Of all of Einstein’s famous quotes, this is one of my favorites.  Coming from arguably one of the smartest people in the world, I think it takes great courage to admit that there are certain limitations to thinking, logic and all the other gifts our minds have to offer. Personally, I find it very hard to reconcile the continued sufferings of the world with the ongoing material improvements and achievements of the last few centuries. Despite these achievements, the problems we face today seem in many ways more difficult and challenging than they did even a decade ago. Read More

Don’t Let the Holidays Wreck Havoc on Your Waistline

by Dianne Orwig

Here it comes…that lovely time of year we call The Holidays.  Johnny Mathis sang, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” but, when it comes to staying healthy and fit, the holidays can be one of the most inhospitable times of the year. Shopping, chores, decorating, food temptations, stress, even the cooler weather all contribute to an overload on your routine and energy until, before you know it, you’re saying goodbye to last year and hello to 6 extra pounds, 3 extra inches around your waist, and a closet full of clothes that barely fit. Read More

A Common Cent$ Approach to Weight Loss

by Susan Burke March

When you’re thinking about weight loss diets, just about any program will work, that is, if you use it.  If you’ve made the decision to lose weight by “going on a diet”, by definition you’ll eat differently than you usually eat. You’ll be eating someone else’s diet!  Most likely you’ll consume fewer calories, and hopefully, you’ll also burn more calories than usual, by doing more activity.  That’s a pretty reliable recipe for weight loss. If you’re like most people, you’re time-challenged, and although you may prefer to eat fresh foods daily, you may find it difficult. Read More