Life transitions aren't just passages in time; they're profound shifts that can stir up a mix of emotions—excitement, apprehension, and everything in between. Believe me, I've been through my fair share of changes: recovering from a significant car accident, leaving an abusive marriage, and recently, retiring and moving out of state. Whether you're starting a new job, moving to a fresh city, or evolving in your personal relationships, each transition brings its own uncertainties.

Have you ever found yourself repeating the same negative thoughts and stories in your head?  Have you ever felt trapped by them?  You want these thoughts to stop but not sure how?  I get it as it happens to me more often than I care to admit.  So why do these thoughts and stories keep coming back?  And how can we learn to rewrite them into something more positive?

Ever wonder why you might find yourself feeling stuck?  Maybe you are trying to lose weight and the scale isn’t moving?  Maybe you are trying to reach a business goal and find yourself inundated with one obstacle after another?  Maybe you are not where you want to be in your relationship?  Or perhaps your finances.  So why do we get stuck and how can we get unstuck?

Reading is often touted as a fundamental skill, essential for learning and communication, but its benefits extend far beyond basic literacy. It is a powerful tool for personal growth, emotional development, and overall well-being. Engaging regularly with books can transform your life in profound and enduring ways.  Here’s a question: Did you add reading to your list of 2025 goals? 

It’s that time of the year – again.  The holiday celebrations are over, and the decorations are coming down, only to be stored for the next season. As the New Year approaches, I find myself reflecting on 2024 and what I’ve accomplished and what I would like to get done for 2025. Most of these entail business type goals as I typically avoid anything of a personal nature (something I will be changing for 2025).  I also have my annual shredding party that consists of shredding papers older than seven years.  I think of this as throwing my own News Year’s party!

How do you start your day?  Do you get up and meditate?  Or wobble into the kitchen to brew your morning cup of coffee?  Or do you hit the snooze button on the alarm?  Did you know that how we start our day often sets the tone for the hours that follow? The first 20 minutes after we wake up are especially crucial, as they can significantly influence our mindset, productivity, and overall well-being. Here’s why paying attention to how you begin your day can make a substantial difference in your life.

Life-changing events happen, and they tend to happen when we least expect it.  Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a career shift, a major health diagnosis, or any other significant upheaval, these events can shake our foundation and often strip away the confidence we once held. In the aftermath, it can feel like starting from scratch, standing at the base of a mountain looking up, wondering how we ever reached the summit before. I know this is how I felt when I left my seventeen-and-a-half-year marriage and had to literally start over with not much to my name.  Fortunately, rebuilding confidence is not only possible; it's a crucial step in moving forward. Here’s how you can start that journey:

I hope this message finds you well and ready to embrace a fresh perspective! Today, I want to share a powerful concept with you—one that could dramatically shift how you view life's ups and downs: Life happens for you, not to you. You see, I was listening to an instructor for an online course when he made this prophetic statement. And the more I thought about it, I realized that he was right. At the end of the day, it is all about our mindset when we react to the lemons that life can throw at us. Let's take a deeper dive into this statement.

My last article dealt with the increase in abuse cases during the holiday season. There are several reasons, but the fact remains that this is a sad reality for some. For those lucky enough not to have experienced abuse (and, yes, you are very fortunate), the question becomes, how would you really recognize it at family gatherings or holiday parties. Here’s the top five ways people experience gaslighting and domestic abuse, with examples to illustrate each type.

The holiday season is often seen as a time of joy, celebration, and connection. It’s a season of twinkling lights, festive gatherings, and cherished memories with loved ones. But behind the cheerful façade, there’s a hidden reality that too often goes unnoticed: for many, the holidays are a time of fear and isolation.

Did YOU know that your story holds incredible power. It’s more than a series of personal experiences—it’s a way to connect, inspire, and create something meaningful. By following the principles of BUILD—Boldness, Uniqueness, Inspiration, Leadership, and Determination—you can transform your journey into a thriving business that makes a difference in the lives of others. Let’s dive into the “BUILD” concept!

A recent article by U.S. News & World Report confirms what many of us many suspect – many Americans are experiencing loneliness.  Here is a quick look at their results: “About one in three U.S. adults say they feel lonely at least once a week while 30% of those responding from ages 18-24 say they feel lonely every day or several times a week.”[1]

The popular TLC show, “Sister Wives,” has sparked extensive conversation about polygamy, narcissism, and the dynamics of healthy relationships. Kody Brown, the family’s patriarch, has long been a vocal advocate for polygamy, often quoting that “love should multiply.” Over the years, Kody expanded his family from one wife to four, fathered eighteen children, and now finds himself back with just one wife. What led to this change?

Fans of TLC’s “Sister Wives” are getting a deeper look into the unraveling of Kody’s polygamous relationships, with three of his four wives now having separated from him. As with many relationship breakups, the blame game has taken center stage, making it even more challenging when children are involved.

Are there any fans of the TLC’s “Sister Wives” show out there? Or, perhaps, maybe you’ve watched an episode or two? You might be surprised to learn that I’ve been captivated by the show for several years and its 19th season has just started. Why the interest? The concept of polygamy piqued my curiosity — not only because I initially thought it was illegal, but also because it’s so fascinating. What kind of men and women choose this lifestyle, and how do they manage their relationships when even “traditional” marriages are challenging?

As most of us already know, October is Domestic Violence Awareness month.  This is the time when some light is shed on this very dark topic in an effort to bring awareness and education to stop the abuse.  Domestic abuse, also known as domestic violence, is a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone. Domestic abuse can occur within a range of relationships including married couples, cohabiting couples, or dating couples, and can affect individuals regardless of age, gender, economic standing, or sexual orientation.

No, I am not talking about the “F” word that rhymes with duck but the other “F” word that can be debilitating and paralyzing.  That word is “FEAR”.  How many times has this kept you from living your best life?  It kept me paralyzed for many years until I decided to end an abusive marriage.  Taking that step propelled me into a new life filled with wonderful and sometimes challenging experiences.  Let’s look at what “fear” is and what we can do to overcome it.

The words we speak or write are the threads that weave our thoughts and emotions into a shared experience. While the adage "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" persists, it distorts the profound impact that words have on our mental and emotional well-being. Far from harmless, words carry the power to deeply affect another person’s life, sometimes with devastating consequences.  For example, how many of you were told that you would never amount to anything?  Or perhaps that you will never make it?  Or, that no one would ever love you?  These words cut to the very core of who we are and, unfortunately, I have heard some of these words in the past and they can cut deep into the core of who we are.

In the complex world of relationships, both personal and professional, certain negative behaviors can arise that are important to recognize. Two such behaviors are "gaslighting" and "ghosting," each distinct in its nature but equally damaging. Understanding these terms and how they work can help us identify and protect ourselves from these toxic dynamics.

Have you noticed when scrolling social media that the words “gaslighting” and “narcissism” seem to constantly appear?  Or perhaps listen to the news, particularly political news, and we hear or see gaslighting and narcissism in action.  So then what exactly is narcissism, and can it be prevented?