11 Ways to Show People You Really Care

It seems everyone lives such busy lives. We are always rushing from one activity to the next. Our eyes and attention are constantly attached to our phones, our computers, our televisions. In the hustle and bustle, we sometimes forget that it’s often the simple things that make life worth living. Sure, a grand vacation is wonderful, but so is a walk in the neighborhood with someone you love. You can take that walk a lot more often and at much less expense. Its the same with showing people you care. Grand gestures are great, but it’s the every day, seemingly Read More

When Anger Disrupts Our Happiness

There are numerous studies that show how dangerous holding onto to anger can be. It not only disrupts our happiness, but it can also damage our relationships, injure our professional lives, and literally make us ill. Everyone feels anger. We are all human and anger is a basic human emotion. The key to keeping anger from having a negative influence in our lives is to recognize it for what it is and find positive ways of dealing with it. Don’t get me wrong. I get angry. In fact, I spent a number of years being really angry at several things/people. Read More

One is Silver and the Other, Gold

Remember the old sing-a-long “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, and the other, gold”? This time of year makes me think of old friends and new friends and this old song has been on my mind. I love my friends. My life would not be half as rich without them. An old friend of mine was visiting over the Thanksgiving holiday. She and her family live on the opposite side of the country. They spent a week here in sunny California and had Thanksgiving dinner with us. I hadn’t seen her in more than a year Read More

Giving Without Expectations, Receiving Without Guilt

The gift giving season will soon be upon us. It can be filled with happiness and joy and/or fraught with disappointment and unfulfilled expectations.  We have often heard that it is better to give than to receive. I don’t believe that is always the case. Being giver or receiver can bring us hurt feeling and warm feelings. It is up to us to learn how to be a happy and gracious giver as well as a willing and thankful receiver.     Giving Without Expectations Don’t we sometimes give a gift with an expectation attached? It happens all the time. Read More