Do You Realize How Good Things Really Are?

Do you appreciate your life?

“Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.” — Marianne Williamson For years, on and off, I’ve kept a gratitude journal. Pretty simple really. You get a notebook, and once a day–usually before you go to bed–you write down at least five things for which you [...]

Can You Find Your Way Back Home?

seals

This past weekend I went to Ano Nuevo State Park to see the elephant seals. We were disappointed to discover that the adult male and female seals had already finished their mating season and taken to the sea. All that were left on the dunes were the “weaners,” the newly weaned babies, and some juvenile [...]

The Meaning of 11-11-11

2011-11-10_2259

I’ve been getting emails all week about events related today’s auspicious date: 11-11-11. Sure, it’s cool that the date consists of all ones, but what does this really mean? We all want it to mean something…just like we want the end of the Mayan calendar on December 31, 2011 to mean something…significant. I don’t think [...]

What’s Your Circle of Influence and Are You Using It?

During her last show, Oprah Winfrey’s said, “Each one of you has a platform, your circle of influence.” I wondered how many people heard that and took it to heart. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do, you can create change in the world. You can teach your children, influence your neighbors, [...]

Give Yourself a Break

Many of us spend a lot of time working on ourselves. We go to counseling. We take human potential, personal growth and self-improvement classes. We read books on these subjects as well. We analyze our relationships and ourselves. We exercise. We try to eat right. We journal. We meditate. We try new spiritual practices. We [...]

Are You a Writer and a Change Agent?

Many people feel passionate about creating change in the world. They can do so in a variety of ways. However, many of them write books. I know something about this since I am a writer and a professional editor and author advisor. I have dreams and aspirations of writing books that change people’s live. I [...]

This Fourth of July, Make a Choice that Brings You Happiness

Like the founders of our nation promised, we all have the right to pursue happiness and we do this via the choices we make. Today, Independence Day, I’d like to remind you that you are, indeed independent. You are free. We have the freedom to pursue the things that make you happy and bring you [...]

What You Can Learn From People Who Irritate You

looking at eachother

Do you know a few people who really irritate you? Are there people you find it difficult to be around because you get annoyed and angry just by being near them for any length of time? Guess what. You can learn the most about your self from these people. I mentioned in my last post [...]

Struggling to Create Something New

sprout

I’m struggling to focus on creating some new things in my life. However, the old things feel like they keep getting in the way. I can’t quite get rid of them yet. And I don’t want to pay attention to them or be involved with them, but I still must. I can equate this to [...]

Change the World by Expressing Love

Love

I write a national column about Jewish issues for Examiner.com. Every once in a while I hit on a topic that brings the hate mongers out. These are people who have nothing nice to say about Jews in particular and whose day becomes brighter when they can leave a really nasty comment somewhere. I used [...]