Many people don’t really think things through on their own. Instead, they repeat what they hear from friends, social media, or the news. This feels easier and safer than figuring things out for yourself.When you let others do your thinking, you don’t have to ask hard questions or risk being wrong. But there’s a downside: your opinions aren’t really yours anymore. You believe things because others do, not because you’ve examined them.

Life is fraught with misunderstandings and unfair negative labeling.For example, a word that comes readily to mind is Masochist.  It is a label bandied about, generally in a negative manner, but No!Masochist is defined as a person who enjoys an activity that appears to be painful or tedious, eg, distance running or swimming.

I carry a Personal Pocket Journal. It’s a small (pocket size) leather bound calendar — displaying months and weeks-at-glance. It is made by Graphic Image in Melville and available in several colors. My choice is tan.My desk drawer is full of past year’s journals. I’m not sure why I keep them for so long.As I contemplate a new journal for the upcoming year, I face a dilemma. I’ve come to realize that most of the journal entries are also on my phone’s calendar. I laugh to myself that this is my “double-entry calendar system”. But is it necessary?

I have always been the one who arrives 10 minutes early, but better early than late! Now that I am at the mercy of the MTA, I leave early enough to account for “unexpected” delays and detours. I often find myself 15-20 minutes ahead of schedule and it's still OK; I know I am not going to change - I still prefer being early to the stress of being late.

As many of you know, my mom passed a few days ago after a long illness and valiant fight.  Mom was feisty, generous, adventurous and kind – and it was my job to prepare a eulogy that honored her life and shared her essence.  It was hard, with lots of self-imposed pressure to get it right.  But the “teaching moment” for me was more about the process of preparing my thoughts. 

Is it just me or is there pressure to answer text messages immediately? I have a friend who will send me a text message and, if I do not answer within minutes, she will follow up with a “Hello?” Many people feel stressed by the pressure to answer text messages the moment they come in, as if every ping demands instant attention. This constant expectation can make even simple conversations feel overwhelming. 

Each Thanksgiving I check to see when I blogged the prior year about music for the holiday season.  That we often begin to hear that music when families gather the last Thursday in November is what brings my Holiday Music Playlist to mind.  The only thing that delays that blog is the need to timely report  this year’s Gotham Green Award® winners announced annually the Tues

This true story proves that all animals need to let loose...The staff at a Virginia liquor store showed up after Thanksgiving to discover a raccoon had broken in and gone straight for the scotch. The “masked bandit” apparently fell through a ceiling tile, raided the bottom shelf, and then passed out in the bathroom between the toilet and the trash can like a true rookie drinker.Animal control hauled the tiny criminal off for “questioning” once it sobered up, found no injuries—unless you count the hangover—and released it back into the wild to rethink its life choices.