Is This As Good As It Gets?

There have been hundreds of blogs about the negative side of social media but the other night, as we hung out at the kitchen table with friends, a 16-year-old shared with me how he thought social media was essentially bad for you. I thought I’d share his remarks as they speak to a failure on the part several generations. First, he admitted that social media can be fun, especially for sharing pet videos and practical jokes (that don’t cause physical harm or injury). But beyond that use, is this noted “time suck” valuable, or contributing to the betterment of humans any way? My young friend answers his own question with a resounding, “NO.” Here are his points primarily in his…Read More

Survival Tips for Teens

Let’s face it, teen years can be hard—on the parents that is. For teenagers, they get lots of new responsibilities and freedoms, and their parents are financing the fun. It really doesn’t get any better even if you have to take SATs. So teens, if your parents are decent people—you know, they don’t beat you, or lock you in the closet under the stairs—then let’s be real and give them a break. And if they’re not, this blog does not apply to you. Why you should consider being a more fun and engaging housemate… 1 – COMFORT: It just makes day-to-day life more pleasant for everyone. Be polite to them the way you would if they were a celebrity you…Read More

Discover the Teen Stress That You Just Made Worse

Until you’ve aged a little and accomplished some awesome things, and come to a place where you know you are fierce and can kill it in any situation, “being yourself” is really stressful. Especially if you want to be a lot more than “yourself.” As a teen, I never wanted to be myself. I wanted to be the “self” that fit in and was liked for being myself. If I was actually myself, I would have never engaged in conversation, or done extra curricular activities, or been responsible with my chores. I only did those things to appear normal, to have the hope of being a better ‘self’ someday, and so that my parents would get off my back and…Read More

The 16 for 16 List

They want you to think they are funny and cool as well as athletic and hot. But they’ll take funny and cool if the rest is not in their cards…yet. They don’t care that much about makeup—on them or you, but a welcoming smile that makes them think they are funny, cool, athletic or hot goes a long way. They can’t express it but they want to be accepted as they are—just like you—even when they can’t accept themselves. If boys see you value yourself and your dreams they will secretly and sometimes openly admire you. Men love confidence in a woman. Boys respect confidence in a girl and are often drawn to her for it, but can’t explain why….Read More

Surviving Exam Season!

You are a student, you are stressed, and you feel the pressure put on my teachers, parents, and worse – yourself. It’s too much! It really is. Stop and take a breath. Give yourself a little credit. You are more than one exam, one grade, or one day in your life. Do the work you need to do, then get a really good night of sleep. And remember these basic truths! Education is a journey, not a race. It doesn’t matter how long it takes to get there, just that you keep going. Even if you fail, there’s summer school! No grade is worth your life, your health, or your sanity. Take it one test, one day, one hour at…Read More

How to Handle Being Replaced or Overlooked on the Job

There are always going to be times in our lives when we lose a role on a team, a part in a play, or are replaced by new fresh blood—either at school, work, or at home. This is never an easy experience. It is an experience that can make you feel too old, too young, too inexperienced, inadequate, threatened, embarrassed, and even fearful of becoming irrelevant (and therefore you will lose your job, your partner will dump you, your children will abandon you, and you’ll become homeless and die alone). Yes, there are some who take it all the way to the bitter end. I don’t wish this on anyone. All those emotions are uncomfortable. And I know personally, I…Read More

28 Ways to Fill Yourself with Love!

Write down 28 things about yourself that you are grateful for—just about you and what’s going on in your life right now. “I am grateful for my patience…that I made someone laugh today…that I can smile at strangers…that I’m healthy…smart…” Meditate ten minutes a day, imaging sunshine filling every part of your being and shooting outward. Whatever your version of God or universal goodness, ask to be filled with so much love that it pushes all negative thoughts from your mind. Do this every morning. Drink half your weight in water every day this month. It will change your energy and alertness if you haven’t been doing this. Make it special with some lemon, cucumber or a favorite infusion. Get…Read More

35 Things To Put On Your Boyfriend List

Hey, I know everyone would like to have a great boyfriend, right? Well, it’s not as easy to find the good ones as you would think. And let’s be honest, it’s a waste of time drifting from guy to guy hoping he’ll be what you are looking for when, you don’t really know who you are and what you are looking for. That’s why I always recommend The Boyfriend List. It’s important to be clear about what you want and expect. And to make sure you’ve got it right, write it down and focus on it. Of course, whatever you want, make sure you can also give it back. You need to be awesome to attract the awesome guy, right? Unlike in…Read More

When I was asked to write the Story of My Family at a retreat, there were many ways to approach it. For whatever reason on that day, I didn’t think of my country or ethnicity or the many anecdotes that now have become family legend. The two words that popped into my head were Honor and Service. I could likely write a book on each, and I’m sure others have. For me, in that moment, they were the words that immediately made me think of my parents. And when I think heritage, I think of those things that I want to pass on to my children, nieces, nephews, etc. I suspect Honor and Service is the heritage of many families…Read More