Is it time to quit smoking? I quit smoking in 1997. It's been 25 years since I last took a drag on a Newport. At my peak, I smoked three packs a day. I survived, but there are lingering effects from my 25-plus years of tobacco use. I'm luckier than many. My lungs haven't been [...]
December 2012: It’s that time ‘o year again — New Year's resolution time. I know many of us have made resolutions we didn't follow through with; I’m certain I’m not alone. Last year, I made a very public resolution posted on my blog. Not only did I make one, but I outlined the milestones I [...]
So, why do we make New Year's resolutions? Interesting question. More than 2,000 years ago, the Babylonians observed a New Year's tradition of returning items borrowed from neighbors, which I believe were usually farming tools and mystery novels. In the early 18th century, Jonathan Edwards published a list of 70 resolutions. For Edwards, the resolutions were a guideline to [...]
My black backpack is starting to look green. I have a black nylon backpack I bought in 1994. I carry it every day. It has traveled with me from Paris to Puerto Vallarta. It once had a security sticker from the London Underground Authority, but it wore off a year or two ago. My wife [...]
How do you celebrate Thanksgiving? Last Saturday, while listening to The Nutcracker and retrieving Christmas decorations from the attic in preparation for installing exterior illumination, I thought about how friends and family would celebrate Thanksgiving. In this diverse land, how do others celebrate, and why are some traditions a part of nearly everyone's holiday? So, [...]
Tomorrow, the 4th of July is Independence Day. A day for fireworks, cookouts, and concerts. It's a day of parades, speeches, and special events held by municipalities all over our nation. So, how did the celebration become what it is today? The first skirmishes of the revolutionary war began in April of 1775. The American [...]
Has Ageism Become Acceptable in the Workplace? I recently clicked on an infographic posted on LinkedIn claiming to explain generational differences. That's not what it did; it stereotyped people by the year they were born. It claimed Gen Xers were independent, Millennials selfish, and Boomers were hard-headed. Like a daily horoscope, it was general enough [...]
There are time we all could use ways to stay calm. We all get upset. We all have fears. Everyone gets mad. Sometimes it's justified, sometimes not. Regardless, it's no fun, and it's not good for anyone. Can anger be controlled? Yes. Is it difficult? Yes, but it may not be as hard as you [...]
Is it time to fight holiday stress? Most of us experience some level of stress during the holidays. Last minute shopping, agonizing over whether Uncle Pete will get along with Uncle Bob at the Christmas party, and wondering if everyone will like your homemade cookies can lead to stress. But if we stop to think [...]
Is social media making us antisocial? I'm not the first to ask this question. Most of what I read answers this question with a resounding yes, social media makes us antisocial. I don't see it this way but give me a minute to explain. Is Social Media Making Us Antisocial? Human Nature Hasn't Changed—Much I [...]
