The Christmas Tree

Based on a true story

Once upon a time in a land far, far away but not so long ago, there lived a little boy. His mom, dad, five sisters and brothers and he shared a cramped one story house with a kitchen and a couple of bedrooms. But the tight quarters weren’t the things bothering him right now. Christmas was only a few days away and it was going to be a sad one for many reasons.

The idea of a Christmas without presents because his family was too poor to afford them was the least of his worries. While the little boy didn’t understand exactly what had happened, he knew that many people fought against his country’s government for taking everything away from them. Of course, the government fought back and won, hurting many people. His 23-year-old brother was one of the lucky ones who was able to escape to America. Though he was far away, his family knew he was safe and that was comforting, but his mom and dad were still very sad.

The little boy kept busy with his chores knowing that in this small way he could help his parents and make them happy. One day, as he was about to sweep the floor, he opened the closet to look for the broom. What he found wasn’t quite what he had in mind. He found the broom all right, but it was missing its handle. He swept the floor with the bottom bundle of straw while his thoughts wandered to his friends.

A lot changed this year and while his own family struggled to put food on the table, at least his mother was always able to stretch vegetables and soup into a dinner for all of them. But even that wasn’t enough. Sometimes his stomach would hurt at school. At nine, he was growing up fast and he was always hungry. He reminded himself that he was lucky to have food. Some of his friends went to school without breakfast and their moms couldn’t afford to send them anything for lunch. The little boy wondered if they even had dinner some nights. He would have shared his own lunch with the others but one small slice of bread smeared with lard was barely enough for him.

As he sauntered home from school the next day, Christmas danced in his every thought. He was too old to believe that the Christ Child* would bring any presents for him anymore. The little boy wished he was younger—a time when he wasn’t aware of the world around him and life was less complicated. There wouldn’t be a Christmas this year. Depressed and lacking any holiday cheer, his dad greeted him at the edge of their front yard. He was cutting branches off of the beautiful and enormous evergreen tree gracing the corner of their postage-stamp sized property. The little boy opened his mouth to say Hi, but just then the afternoon train rumbled past, shaking everything around them and drowning out his words. He hung his head and dragged his feet inside.

Plopping down at the kitchen table and hanging his head in his hands, he watched in silence as his mother cut square pieces of aluminum foil and piled them neatly beside her. He was too upset to even bother asking what it was. She kissed him on the head and told him everything would be ok, but the little boy didn’t believe it. Nothing was ever going to be the same again.

After dinner, the little boy sat beside a wood-burning stove to keep warm. His two teenage sisters were arguing about something stupid nearby while his eldest (and favorite) sister sat next to him and helped him with his schoolwork. Their dad sat silently in the corner of the small room, oblivious to his children, and kept busy by boring holes into a long stick. The little boy shook his head at his weird family and focused on his work as his favorite sister swept his hair from his eyes.

The next day, Christmas Eve had arrived. The little boy wanted to be excited but wasn’t. He walked home from school slowly, kicking pebbles along the dirt path. He needed to cheer up for his mom’s sake. She was having a difficult Christmas as it was. He didn’t want to upset her even more.

As his feet managed to find the front yard, he looked up at their miniscule, old house, and the most wonderful sight met his gaze. He blinked twice because he couldn’t believe it was real. Was he dreaming? Did he wander into someone else’s yard by mistake?

In the open front window of his home, stood a little Christmas tree. The holes his father had carved into the broom handle held the branches he trimmed from the evergreen the day before. On each little branch, tiny home-made candies wrapped in his mother’s silver foil dangled temptingly.

The little boy found himself in holiday heaven. The mood in the house was cheerful as the family rushed around busily preparing for Christmas. As the cold moonlight pushed the sun to sleep, the little boy walked to the front window to close it for the night. He glanced at the tree and stared at it horrified. He shouted for his parents.

As his family rushed into the room, the joy of the day was washed away by sudden anger. All of the candies were gone! The only presents they had to share this year and they were gone! He slammed the front window shut and yelled at his mom for leaving the window open while she was baking.

“Son,” his father intervened, his tone stern yet calm, “Perhaps someone needed the candy more than us.”

“Or maybe they’re just selfish thieves,” the little boy blurted. “We need them as much as anyone else! We have nothing!”

Placing an arm around his son, his father turned him around to face the family. “We have each other and that’s all we truly need.”

The son was still mad but he didn’t bother arguing anymore. At least they still had the Christmas tree.

As the little boy grew up, his father’s advice grew in meaning. He found out that his father had seen the thieves and that they were the little boy’s friends. His father let them take the candies because he knew that the other boys wouldn’t even have a Christmas tree that year. One of the boys didn’t even have a dad. More importantly, at the time, no one knew that this would be the last Christmas with the little boy’s favorite sister who passed away unexpectedly the following spring. From that moment on, the little boy understood his father’s wisdom.

Possessions are nothing more than things that come and go easily. Christmas isn’t defined by presents but by those we hold dear. Our time with each other is more precious and priceless than any gift or decoration.

Christmas lies in what God has given us—his only son, who taught us to love one another.

Wishing each of you peace, health, and happiness during the holiday season and in the New Year!

* In eastern Europe Santa Claus fills children’s shoes with treats on St. Nicholas Day, December 6th. On Christmas, the Christ Child brings presents for good little girls and boys to celebrate his birthday.

Picture: My family’s very own Charlie Brown Christmas tree serves as a reminder about the true meaning of Christmas.

Live, Laugh, & Love

Life has a funny way of knocking you off your feet. With the rush of the holiday season adding to the stress of personal and professional commitments, I had a mini-breakdown this morning. A trusted and wise friend suggested I take an hour and just relax. Taking a deep breath to convince myself that a break was indeed needed, I figured I’d check the world of Facebook to see what my friends have been up to lately. And there it was, news that a classmate and friend had passed away.

Like a movie sequence where the world around you continues to spin while time stops in your mind, all of my selfish cares and worries vanished. People die every day, but today it happened to someone I know. Someone who in his early 30’s was way too young to go. As “they” say, the good die young. And, it’s true.

I can’t be certain of what lies beyond our world, though I believe our souls live on in one form or another. One thing is for sure, he’ll never again feel the sunshine on his face the way we can. He’ll never again feel the physical embrace of those who loved him. The seasons will come and go without him. The world will be slightly emptier and sadder with him gone.

On my way to get my son from school today, I passed a house with tons of Christmas lights and decorations. Until that moment, it had looked like any other house trimmed for the season. Only now, it was different. It served as a reminder to savor every moment. Christmas lights, decorations, and presents too often end up as the focus of our holiday planning. We want to make everything perfect when everything we need is already with us. It’s in a hug from our kids or a wave from a friendly neighbor. It’s in the love of our families and friends and a kind gesture from a stranger. What matters most is the priceless, un-buyable, and unconditional love we give and receive from family and friends.

While John was a wonderful person and friend to those who knew him, his spirit lives on in the hearts of everyone he touched. And those who didn’t have the privilege of knowing him can hopefully take something away from his sad passing. Life is too short. Love fully. Laugh often. Seize the day.

John~ Wherever you are now (I’m picturing you playing vampire games on heaven’s facebook network), know that we will keep you in our memories and hearts forever. It was an honor to know you and watch you grow from the shy kindergartener to the sarcastically-witty friend with a contagious smile. You were a unique star in our universe and though your light has gone out, it will never be forgotten. RIP.

What Matters Most...

It’s so easy to complain.

When we complain, others can understand and relate. After all, no one’s life is perfect. Or sometimes, we’re just sensitive to others feelings. In the current economic disaster with so many people struggling to make ends meet, it’s easier to hide behind things that don’t go our way than to share happy and exciting news.

I want to be mad for losing half of this year to an illness that popped out of nowhere, interfered with work, and ruined my plans and friends’ visits. I want to be furious that my PC decided to die—literally sizzle—a few weeks ago, cutting me off from the universe during online holiday shopping season, keeping me from the daily drama of my Facebook friends, and losing all of my files including my novels’ marketing plans and blog posts that I’d spent hours writing in October. I want to find an extra ounce of energy and an additional hour in every day to spend more time with my family.

Hidden behind these “wants” is a need too often left unspoken. I need to remember what’s important. Happiness can’t be found when we can’t see past our shortcomings and life’s unexpected, unpleasant surprises.

During the holiday season when Toys-R-Us sells out of the only toy our kid wants for Christmas or someone cuts in front of us in the checkout line, let’s dig a little deeper and remember what matters most—the love of our family and friends. With that (and a calming breath), we have everything we need.

Top 5 Things You Didn't Know About Demons

We're continuing Halloween week with a look at demons.

The concept of a battle between good and evil is older than recorded history. Needing a way to explain the delicate balance between the two, early civilizations personified these characteristics and attributed them to both holy beings and those who worked against a higher power’s grace. We know them today as angels and demons.

5) Vengeful Fallen Angel or Misunderstood Soul?
There are three basic schools of thought. The first believes that demons are supernatural beings—cast away angels, beasts, or otherwise—that attack humans for their own pleasure or to test humans at God’s command. Think of the biblical stories of Jonah, Job, and even Jesus’ temptation in the desert. Another belief asserts that demons are nothing more than bad ghosts (human or animal); just as there are good and bad people, so too can there be spirits with good and bad intentions once they’ve crossed over. The third takes a scientific approach and believes unless you can prove their existence with scientific methodology demons do not exist and are nothing more than a figment of overactive imaginations.

4) The Demon Census
The idea of demons is not modern or specific to a certain region of the world with an uneducated populace. These characters can be traced back over thousands of years through the mythologies and religions of Mesopotamia, Arabia, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, et al. Just how many demons there are depends on who you ask.
* Judaism (Talmud) – 7,405,926 demons
* Christianity (according to Bishop of Tusculum [13th century] & Alphonso de Spina [15th century]) – 133,306,668

Read more about the history of Demons and Demonology through:
http://www.monstropedia.org/index.php?title=Demonology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demon

3) Everyone Knows Demons Aren’t Real, Don’t They?
According to a survey of 36,000 Americans by Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life released in 2008, most Americans believe in angels and demons, 80% believe in miracles, and 92% believe in God or universal spirit. Demons are mentioned throughout the Old and New Testaments so it’s no wonder there’s a prevalent belief of the existence of good and evil entities among God-fearing people.

2) Becoming an Expert Demonologist
No, there’s no Demon U handing out diplomas. However, there are a growing number of people interested in this field. As ghost hunters are popping up worldwide, there’s been a resurgence in the belief of demons as separate entities from ghosts—and dangerous ones at that. Book smarts won’t get you too far here. A lot of it depends on experience and knowing how to protect yourself from the evil lurking in the shadows. Skeptics and anyone who thinks they have the guts to take on demons should read this article from The Atlantic Paranormal Society.

1) How Bad Can They Be If You Can’t Even See Them?
It depends on who you ask. Skeptics say that it’s psychological. Victims insist that they’re experiences are real. Those who’ve been victimized by otherworldly entities know that demons are more than just ghostly apparitions. They taunt you mentally, abuse you spiritually, and cause physical harm. Don’t believe me or the ghost hunters on TV? That’s ok, why don’t you ask Bishop James Long, a theologian and exorcist who participated in a lockdown with the Ghost Adventures crew in Bobby Mackey’s in Wilder, Kentucky—one of the U.S.’s most haunted locations. Click here to view footage from his experience. (fast forward to about 2:45)

So, what exactly are demons? No one knows for sure. There are too many conflicting opinions—some based on religion, mythology, or experience—all claiming to be right. Some believe that ancient people used the idea of demons to explain the forces of good and bad within nature. Others think it was born from fearing the souls of those who died and worshipping them to keep them happy and at bay from the living. The interesting thing is that most ancient people—no matter where they were located—believed in demons of some sort. One thing is for certain, whether they’re real or imagined, the myth behind demons is alive and well today.

Resources:

Picture: Ghost Adventures crew investigating at Bobby Mackey’s – Travel Channel

Washington Post

www.ghostweb.com/demon.html

www.angelsghosts.com/demons_what_are_they.html

www.religioustolerance.org/dem_bibl.htm

http://paranormalpython.com/paranormal-articles/bishop-james-long
www.paranormalclergy.com/paranormalclergy/Welcome.html
www.bibletruths.net/Archives/BTAR134.htm
www.occultopedia.com/d/demonology.htm

Top 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Werewolves

It’s my favorite time of the year and I’m counting down the days to Halloween by celebrating the season’s favorite characters and topics with fun facts and trivia. Today’s monster du jour: werewolves!

5) Jacob Black’s Long Lost Ancestor
Nearly 100 years before Stephenie Meyer introduced werewolf hunk Jacob Black, “The Werewolf” featured film’s very first. The silent movie from 1913 was based on a short story of the same name by Henry Beaugrand. Don’t bother looking for the film on Netflix. All copies of it were apparently destroyed by fire in 1924.

4) Werewolf: Human, Animal, or Both?
Rising in popularity as characters in Gothic horror tales of the 19th century, werewolves symbolized the internal struggle between humanity’s socially expected proper behavior and its raw, animalistic urges and innate dark tendencies. These creatures represented the human clash between good and evil. Interestingly, the werewolf wasn’t the only monster making waves in the Victorian era. Also collecting fans at this time were Mary Shelley’s monster of Frankenstein and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Both were similar in nature to the dual personality of the werewolf.

3) The Hollywood Obsession
Making headlines throughout the 19th century, it’s no surprise that werewolves made the jump from literature to the big screen with the dawn of motion pictures. According to werewolf-movies.com, about 265 movies were released between 1913 and 2010 which include werewolves of one kind or another. Check out one or two of these flicks for Halloween. (Werewolf-movies.com List or Wikipedia Werewolf Movie List)

2) The Father of Werewolves
They had to come from somewhere. One of the earliest stories of werewolves comes from a Greek tale of a man named Lycaon who angered Zeus. Apparently everyone but Lycaon knew that you don’t pick a fight with the head god who ended up changing him and his sons into wolves. Whether legend or supernatural mystery, lycanthropy, the transformation of a human into a wolf, has been reported by many cultures worldwide for thousands of years.

1) Fact or Fiction: Are Werewolves Real?
Yes, they are! Well, sort of. Werewolf Syndrome, also known as hypertrichosis, is an extremely rare condition which causes hair to grow all over the body. I’m not talking about your average guy with a hairy back or a Santa Claus-like beard. Hypertrichosis causes excessive hair growth over parts of one’s body and sometimes all over. There are four types of hypertrichosis, none of which are contagious.
· Localized Congenital Hypertrichosis – Excess hair is typically restricted to specific sites on the body and is sometimes caused by neural abnormalities, diabetes, or AIDS.
· Localized Acquired Hypertrichosis – Injuries such as irritation, inflammation, or trauma can result in hypertrichosis over an affected area.
· Generalized Congenital Hypertrichosis – This type is both rare and inherited. Typically, a baby never loses the fine hairs which grow all over his/her body in utero. Over time, the hair growth tends to affect the face, ears, and shoulders.
· Generalized Acquired Hypertrichosis – The intake of certain drugs such as phenytoin, cyclosporine A, and minoxidil lead to the onset of this version of hypertrichosis. Usually, the condition disappears if an individual stops taking these drugs. In other instances, some individuals suffering from one of the strains of Porphyria may develop hypertrichosis after exposure to/treatment with hexachlorobenzene. Imagine suffering from both Werewolf & Vampire Syndromes! (More on vampires in Friday’s article…)

While the acquired forms of this disease are treatable, solutions such as shaving, laser removal and electrolysis provide only temporary relief to those suffering from congenital hypertrichosis.

So, if you see a “werewolf,” be kind, don’t stare or judge. They’re normal people. The full moon’s affect on them is no different than its impact on the rest of us. We’re all a little crazy and different sometimes.

Resources:
1) “The Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead” by J. Gordon Melton
2) Hypertrichosis / Werewolf Syndrome - a) Telegraph.co.uk b) http://www.hypertrichosis.com/

3) Hypertrichosis / Porphyrias
4) Pictures from top: a) Twilight "New Moon" picture - http://twilight-the-movie-new-moon-cast.blogspot.com b) Lon Chaney as "The Wolf Man" - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034398/ c) Michael J. Fox in "Teen Wolf" - http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00025147.html d) "Werewolf Boy" article at Telegraph.co.uk

Made in America?

I’ve seen it so many times before and today’s was no different. A well-meaning e-mail, it urged us to buy U.S.-made products. It’s a message I agree with and one I’ve supported over the years. After all, purchasing produce from local farmers and items made in America supports our citizens and stimulates our economy.

Then the e-mail took an unexpected turn.

The message focused on products that my company manufactures—-my American family-owned business born from two men who made their American dream come true. You see, I already buy local produce and clothes with “Made in the U.S.A.” tags. It’s as ingrained in me as baseball and apple pie. But this e-mail attacked the products that support my livelihood and that of our employees throughout the U.S.

The author urged people to buy products labeled “Made in the U.S.A.” because she found that they were cheaper than those imported and labeled “Made in China” and they promoted American business. On the surface, this seems like a reasonable assumption. The problem is that some companies, like mine, choose to manufacture products overseas to maintain the brand quality and technology their consumers expect at prices they’re willing to pay. Producing these same products on U.S. soil would mean an increase in production costs which would be passed onto consumers. Think about it. Would you honestly pay $20 for a t-shirt or an energy-efficient light bulb that you can get at Wal*Mart or Target today for $5 each?

The truth is that items made in the Far East might very well support American-based companies trying to balance staying afloat in an unsteady economy while providing low-cost products their consumers are willing to buy.

Another angle that rarely gets noticed is that something labeled as “Made in the U.S.A.” might be assembled here, but its components might be imported. Chances are that many American products are sourced one way or another from international businesses. If you’re a die-hard, ‘only-buy-American’ kind of consumer, you might want to do a little research before blacklisting certain products or companies based solely on their labels.

So, the next time you decide to buy something “Made in the U.S.A.” to show support for American businesses, consider that you just might be putting Americans out of work—and adding to the U.S. jobless rate, which burdens the system of unemployment payouts funded by you, our U.S. tax payers.

Top 5 Days that Changed the Course of US History

September 11th found me reminiscing about America before and after this tragedy. The top five days listed below are integral events which shaped the United States of today. Of course these selections are highly debatable, but I’m not out to write a history book. In my opinion these moments altered US culture, opinion, and history irrevocably.

#1) Declaration of Independence – July 4, 1776, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The men signing this document knew they were essentially signing their own death warrants by placing their names on his document. To challenge and revolt against King George III and England was treason. Thanks to their courage, determination, and foresight, the United States is one of the fortunate places in the world where our freedoms are protected.

• “…We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness…” – excerpt from the Declaration of Independence. To read the whole passage, click here.

#2) Assassination of Abraham Lincoln – April 14, 1865, Washington, DC
A simple man from simple beginnings, Honest Abe was a president of and for the people of America. In historical retrospect it’s really no surprise that he endorsed the Emancipation Proclamation granting freedom to slaves. An unpopular decision with the southern states of the union, Lincoln’s brave move to secure freedom for all was repaid with his murder. Still, his courage in making such a difficult political decision resulted in the Civil War which emphasized the country’s factions and diverse opinions. Ultimately however, his first steps to grant all Americans freedom laid the foundation for civil rights.

#3) Woodstock – August 15 – 18, 1969, Bethel, New York
It was a time of change in America—political unrest and a clash between old thinking and new in social norms. Aside from the sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll which were taking hold, this time marked a mass movement toward questioning what was and what had to be. A decade of political events (Bay of Pigs Invasion, Cuban Missile Crisis, Malcolm X/Martin Luther King/John F. Kennedy/Robert F. Kennedy assassinations, Gay Rights Movement, Vietnam War, and more) culminated in this inevitable moment. With so much political strife, it’s no wonder people were craving peace and a summer of love, which of course brought its own ramifications. (Click here to see Jimi Hendrix’s famed take on the Star Spangled Banner.)

#4) Challenger Space Shuttle – January 28, 1986, Cape Canaveral, Florida
This is a childhood memory I’ll never forget. My class was tuned into the TV ready to watch the first teacher take off into space. The excitement in the room was almost tangible. Going into outer space was an adventure of enormous proportions. As the tragedy unfolded, we sat in silence--dumbfounded, confused, and terribly aware of what just happened on live TV. Our teacher turned off the set and led us in a Hail Mary. This event marked the first realization for me that mankind is fallible. Our best intentions, the smartest people, and choices we make are still at the mercy of fate. It was a scary moment and one that will always remind me that every adventure has its costs. As a dominating, international political presence, this tragedy showed the world that even the US had vulnerabilities.

#5) September 11, 2001, New York, NY
Like the assassination of President Kennedy for the generation before us, September 11th is a day generation X-ers / Y-ers (and everyone else) will never forget. Sitting in front of my computer in my company’s Philadelphia headquarters, it was just another late summer day—sunny, warm, and uncomfortable as I was eight months pregnant. Around 8:50 am a coworker ran into my office announcing that one of the twin towers was hit. Confusion and curiosity flooded our department. About ten minutes later, I headed to the cafeteria for a drink where a TV had been set up so we could follow the news. Drink in hand and eyes transfixed on the smoking tower #1, I watched in horror as Flight 175 crashed into tower 2. At that moment it became clear this wasn’t a random accident, but America was under attack. There was work to be done that day, but everyone was preoccupied by the twin towers, then the hit on the Pentagon, and finally Flight 93’s crash near Shanksville, PA.

Many of us knew people in New York and were trying to reach them, but the phone circuits were busy or dead. My thoughts were with my best friend who was working in downtown Manhattan and her boyfriend who worked in the tower plaza. (They were a couple of the lucky ones to escape that day.)

With the horrors unfolding in New York and Washington, Philadelphia was on lockdown. It’s the birthplace of the US and a major hub for business on the east coast; we were scared that we were next. As the day’s tragedies faded into the days and weeks following, America changed. Innocence was lost in this new wave of terrorism on our home turf. Republicans, Democrats, and Independents stood united, side-by-side. Our ideological differences took a back seat to the protection of our ideals of democracy and freedom.

Terrorists can never destroy our conviction “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Our country protects these rights. Our soldiers fight to guarantee these rights for us. It’s the reason why my family, like so many others before us, wanted to come here. The US was and is a land of opportunity and freedom—two vital components of life that so many around the world lack.

Although the political-socio-economic repercussions from this day will be felt for decades, we are still united in our stance against extremist groups who will do whatever it takes to destroy our freedoms. Like their own beliefs, ours are so ingrained in us that we will fight for our rights no matter what.

Where were you on September 11th?

With a history spanning over 234 years, the United States’ rich past is filled with many significant events like the 1849 gold rush, the Wright Brothers, Civil Rights Movement, Women’s Rights Movement, invention of the atomic bomb, Apollo 11 Moonwalk, Industrial Revolution, Wall Street Crash of 1929, Attack on Pearl Harbor, the first black president, and so much more. Like all histories, it’s filled with good and bad and everything in between, but these events created the world, country, and people we are today.

Sources:

The links contained in this article are provided as a means to access additional information. They do not represent an endorsement of these sites or other contents contained therein.

• Declaration of Independence
• Lincoln History
• Lincoln Photo
• Woodstock
• Jimi Hendrix Photo
• Challenger History
• Challenger Photo
• September 11th Photo

The Problem with Healthcare

Who am I kidding? Healthcare is completely broken. Without a major overhaul, the fixes that the president presents and congress negotiates are merely band-aids on a fatally hemorrhaging wound. However, there is one healthcare problem which wouldn’t take an act of God to fix. It’s actually a rather simple issue to handle if anyone cared enough to do so.

What’s broken? Customer service.

Somewhere between seeing countless patients, running around a hospital, and haggling with insurance companies, medical office personnel have forgotten that every patient is also a customer.

We no longer have to fear being black listed in the medical community for stating our opinions a la Elaine from Seinfeld. Thanks to the internet and sites like Angie’s list, we can share our experiences anonymously and hopefully save other people from horrible encounters with difficult doctors and staff.

Due to a virus that circulated through my family this summer, I spent more time in doctors’ offices in the past two months for sick visits than I have over the past two decades. What we saw and experienced:

• Staff shopping on the internet
• Staff naming and discussing patient health issues in the patient’s absence
• Staff eating while speaking to patients over the phone and getting upset when they had to repeat themselves
• Staff speaking disrespectfully and rudely to patients
• Describing severe symptoms and being told the doctor’s earliest appointment is two days later
• Staff’s tone and choice of words were belittling.
• Doctors telling us what we’re feeling and not hearing what we’re saying
• Doctors not telling us our diagnosis, just prescribing medication without offering alternative options or discussing what we can do to ease our symptoms
• Being misdiagnosed
• Practices not having contingency plans to see sick patients when primary doctors are on vacation

I don’t care if the office staff is having a bad day or if the doctor is overbooked. Yes, they are real considerations, but when patients are seriously ill, they need attention. This is why we have doctors. It’s not like we’re at the doctor’s office every week. Most of us avoid the place like the plague. And, since our visits are so infrequent, if we happen to catch the medical staff on a bad day, chances are that impression will taint our overall opinion of the entire medical practice.

The repercussions? Word of mouth marketing spreads like wildfire. Most of us will likely vent about our bad experiences to our closest friends who will remember our stories. And, when they’re looking for new doctors, they’ll ask us about our “bad” doctors to make sure they don’t sign up with them. They in turn tell others. Based on personal experience, this is especially true when it comes to pediatrics.

I’m sure dealing with cranky people who are sick all day can wear on even the toughest employees in the medical field. However, showing an ounce of care and concern can go a long way and dial back the cranky scale on anyone. The fact is that medical practices are businesses. They provide services and care to their customers. The thing they often forget is the choice they make to be a Wal-Mart or Saks 5th Avenue in the medical field. What kind of quality healthcare do you want?

It’s important to note that not everyone we encountered was mean or inconsiderate. In fact, two bright spots were a nurse and lab technician whose bedside manners were thoughtful and kind despite the revolving door of patients circling around them.

A little professionalism and kindness can go a long way. Perhaps it’s something we should all keep in mind no matter where we work or what we do.

Check out what others are saying about your doctors:
http://www.doctor-report.net/
http://www.physicianreports.com/?yaid=pr
http://www.angieslist.com/angieslist/

Image: Stethoscope

The Sunny Side of Marketing

Honey Sunshine.

‘Happiness,’ ‘nature,’ ‘organic,’ and ‘health’ pop into mind.

After studying and working in marketing for almost a decade and a half, I’ve grown fairly jaded to brand messaging. Whether it’s coming from a noteworthy manufacturer or Washington’s political spin masters, successful marketing boils down to the people who can craft the most convincing message and sell it.

As a mom, I’m wary of the ads shoved down our kids’ throats in between cartoons, at the store, and even at school. If anyone is marketing anything to my kids, it should be me. Then again, when you have stubborn children, no amount of positive messaging will sway them.

Those of you with kids who are picky eaters know that getting kids to eat is all about presentation. The concepts ‘It’s good for you,’ ‘There are starving children in Africa,’ and ‘Just try it; you’ll like it’ are like super-glue on our kids’ lips the minute they’re uttered.

Honey Sunshine.

Two words spoken in an excited and energetic tone were all it took to get my four-year-old to try a healthy breakfast cereal. He knows honey is sweet and sunshine makes him happy. I didn’t have to explain what the food was, how it would benefit him, or why he couldn’t have cookies for breakfast instead. He even ended up asking for two extra bowlfuls of an adult cereal made from organic whole grains.

Honey Sunshine™ was able to do something I’ve been fighting four years to accomplish. They got my picky kid to eat without a fight.

Thanks, Kashi, for your brilliant marketing tactic. You just won yourself a repeat customer.

Man, Father, Daddy

A man is a boy, though older and wiser.
With no strings attached, life is his oyster.

A father is a figurehead,
A person who gave you life and kept you fed.
His presence, whether permanent or fleeting,
Often feels no warmer than a stranger’s greeting.

A daddy kisses boo-boos, makes pain go away,
Cops and robbers, catch, and tea party he’ll play.
He lends an ear or two whenever you need it;
There’s always a spot on his shoulder for tears when you’re defeated.
Daddies are strong, strict, and they’ll tell you whose boss,
But they’re great big teddy bears, who won’t let you get lost.

As the years go by and childhood fades,
He’ll forget you’re an adult and long for easier days,
Times filled with laughter, silliness, and singing
Instead of cars, proms, college, and weddings.
He’s tough as a nail, soft as marshmallow,
But you can always count on him for he’s never hollow.

Men, understand this reality—
A new generation lies in your hands of responsibility.
You’re so much more than a father ever can be
When you grow from a man and become a daddy.

Happy “Daddy’s” Day!

To my Apuka ~ You showed me what it meant to work hard, have fun, and love with all of my heart unconditionally. I hope one day my kids will learn the same from me. Most es mindig, sok szeretettel gondolok rad. Puszi, A.

To my man ~ Thank you for trying your hardest to be the best daddy every day. Parenting is by far the toughest challenge we’ve faced together, but it’s also the most rewarding. I love you!

Lost & Found at Sea a.k.a. Independence vs. Stupidity

Unless you’re living under a rock, you’ve heard about Abby Sunderland, the 16-year-old California teen who tried to sail around the world alone. Circumnavigating during the southern hemisphere’s winter season, she expected to hit massive storms and 30-foot plus tall waves.

Since she began her quest to be one of the youngest kids to sail solo around to the globe, she’d been plagued by technological difficulties—the latest of which broke her boat’s mast and knocked out satellite communications last Thursday. Thankfully, a French fishing boat rescued her after rescuers from Perth, Australia were able to locate her from a plane.

Her parents say she’s been sailing since she was a little kid and they never once questioned her desire to go it alone. In fact, they encouraged her adventure.

As a parent, one of the most difficult challenges we face every day, starting the day our babies are born, is letting our kids go to experience life. The biggest obstacle is determining when to cut the proverbial umbilical cord.

"In this day and age we get overprotective with our children. If you want to look at statistics, look at how many teenagers die in cars every year. Should we let teenagers drive cars? I think it'd be silly if we didn't," said Laurence Sunderland, Abby’s father.

Excuse me, Mr. Sunderland, but I beg to differ with your sentiment. Traffic accidents happen in civilization where our children have a fighting chance of getting emergency medical treatment that could very well save their lives. Sending our children alone into the wilderness, hours and days away from safety and help, is condoning a suicide mission.

The fact that Abby survived is a miracle. Had she perished at sea, I wonder if her parents would still take this cavalier attitude? Would they picture their daughter gasping for breath as a 30 foot wave swallows her? Would they imagine she drowned while being trapped under her overturned boat? Would they regret their decision to let her go every day for the rest of their lives?

I don’t care how experienced, courageous, or adventurous Abby is as a sailor. At 16, she is too young to vote, drink, and (in some states) even drive. She is a child. Until she turns 18, she is her parents’ responsibility and her parents—like all parents—should do everything in their power to protect her and keep her safe from herself, others, and, as in this case, Mother Nature.

Life, Death, and the Choices in Between

We drive through the intersection and I cringe waiting for the question.

“Mommy, when is Melodie coming back,” my four-year-old asks for the third time this week.

He keeps asking not because I don’t provide an answer. He asks because he doesn’t understand the answer.

“Melodie is in heaven, sweetie,” I say.

How do you explain the intangible to a child? A year ago, Melodie was a smart, happy, shy but friendly nine-year-old. A year ago today, she went for a walk with her dad when a drunk driver struck her as she crossed the street. A year later, our community is still grappling with the aftermath of this tragic and avoidable accident which devastated her family and friends.

We pass through the intersection and my son pushes on, “How did she get there?”

Struggling with a way to explain it in terms he can understand, I say, “Her ghost went there and now she’s with God, the angels, and all the people who love her there.”

He nods and looks through the window visibly trying to process this concept as my thoughts drift to the “What ifs?” of the situation.

What if the man riding his motorcycle that night had someone who could take away his keys? What if he was jailed or had his license revoked for the six other DUIs he committed over the years (a scary thought to consider—he was only caught six times; how many other times did he get away with it and put himself and others in danger)? What if in the split second that he started the ignition he changed his mind and decided not to go for a ride that night? What if he started his ride two minutes later?

Lifting another bottle of beer to his lips, inserting the key in the ignition, driving 60+ mph in a 35 zone – what if he didn’t make just one of these decisions? So many choices yet the one he made had irreversible consequences.

Every day we make decisions that impact those around us. While our intent is never to harm anyone, what if a split second choice altered our reality and lives forever?

The police tape, chalk outlines, and flower memorial are long gone, but the imprint of that moment in time can never be erased. Tomorrow when we drive through the intersection my son will ask again. I’ll tell him about heaven and we’ll say another prayer for Melodie.

And I’ll think about her unapologetic murderer as he rots in his tiny jail cell and how one tiny decision could’ve altered his fate and saved a little girl’s life.

I Never...

To the Keepers of My Heart:
• I never understood why life was a miracle until I became pregnant and felt you moving inside of me.
• I never knew how much I could truly love someone unconditionally until your tiny hand grasped my finger the day you were born.
• I never knew what it meant to be overprotective until you left my arms for the first time.
• I never felt fear until you learned to roll over (it’s only grown every day since then…).
• I never hurt until I had to hold you for the nurses to give you shots.
• I never knew my heart could explode with joy until you wrapped your arms around my neck tightly and hugged me for the first time on your own.
• I never laughed more in life than in the years you taught me to not take life so seriously.
• I never knew the pain of heartbreak until I felt it through your first disappointment and the day you realized happiness is a blessing not shared by everyone, every day.
• I never felt real pride until the day you took your first step, wrote your first letter, painted your first picture, or stepped courageously into preschool on your own.
• I never understood just how quickly time flies until I look back on the past nine years and realize it literally seems like yesterday that you were little, helpless babies dependent upon me and your dad for everything.
• Until I became a mom, I never truly appreciated the sacrifices my own mom made to raise me, teach me, love me, and let me go.
• I never truly believed in a higher power until we met for the first time.

In the very instant you were born, my life changed permanently, eternally. It was a moment that couldn’t be seen or even described in words. It was a feeling, but a feeling so monumental I knew my life—my very existence—would never be the same.

You are more precious than diamonds and sweeter than honey. And without you, my life would be a moonless, starless night. Thank you for choosing me to be your mom. I love you infinitely.
Mommy

PS 1—I love you, Mom. Thanks for being the best (& most patient) mom ever!
PS2—To my husband, thank you for making me the happiest woman, wife, and mother!
PS3—Happy Mother’s Day to everyone who is a mom—biologically or otherwise—and makes a positive difference in the lives of children.

Golf Decorum: F*&% That!

Maybe I’m a jaded sports fan, after all, I follow baseball in all of its American hot dog, popcorn, beer guzzling glory. Am I the only one in this world who thinks the Tiger Woods swearing incident has been blown way out of proportion?

Intriguing headlines alluding to Woods’ reprehensible antics were plastered on all internet search engines over the past few days. Eventually they wore me down and I opened a link to find Tiger’s horrific language quoted in an article describing his offensive tantrums at Masters.

Be forewarned, I’m about to quote his absolutely unforgivable words after he played below expectations. Ready for it?

“Tiger, you suck!” & “Jesus Christ”

Oh, my God! I can’t f*&^#$%’ believe he used such God d%^$ language to describe such a sh^&&$ performance.

Now I’m well aware that golf is a “proper” sport in that there are rules of decorum and sportsmanship which are expected to be followed. But for all that’s holy, you just need to watch any live sports game (baseball and hockey in particular) and while you can’t hear it, you can certainly see endless strings of very creative and unrepeatable expletives flying without hesitance from the mouths of some of our most popular athletes.

For Pete’s sake, Tiger didn’t direct his offensive language at anyone else. He was having a bad day and was pissed at himself. Let a man speak his mind. And if his words were too fiery for the golf broadcasts, perhaps they should think twice before sticking a mic on or near him. Let the guy play his game. He’s got far bigger problems off the green this year than overly conservative sportscasters balking at swear words even grandmas use occasionally.

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Picture from "The Campus Socialite"

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad...Earthquake?

“Aren’t you afraid?” It’s the one question we always get asked from non-Californians. The answer is emphatically, “No.”

The recent domino effect of earthquakes in Haiti, the Midwest, Chile, and right here in good ole gold country have sparked renewed interest in the inevitable Big One expected to hit the west coast sooner rather than later. (Actually, if you’re looking for some truly scary statistics, click here to see the earthquakes around the world from the past 30 days; I stopped counting after 200. Better yet, in the past week there have been 1185 earthquakes in the U.S. alone, most of them located from Alaska down the length of the west coast.)

Most non-Californians see this state as one of the few places left with golden opportunities. With its breathtaking coastline and redwood forests to celebrity-soaked beaches and national parks, California is truly a beautiful state that has everything from sun, palm trees and surfing to mountains, snow and skiing. The ugly reality lying miles below the fun stuff we enjoy is the San Andreas Fault line.

Running through nearly the entire state, the line itself is merely miles from my house. Tremors occur every day, though we rarely feel them. However, we’ve had two around the 4.0 range in the past two to three months.

The fact is that I felt more earthquakes in Reading, PA than I have here in earthquake prone California, which brings me to my point.

Let's face it. There’s no completely safe place to live. The northeast has debilitating blizzards. The southeast has hurricanes. And let’s not forget the twisters of the Midwest and south. Earthquakes happen all over the U.S. as do wildfires and rainstorms. Even Alaska and Hawaii have earthquakes and are prone to tsunamis.

So, are we afraid of the big one—a supposed 9.0+ magnitude quake expected to hit California within the next 30 years? I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared, but we can’t live in fear. Perhaps the question isn’t so much about why we choose to live in an area prone to natural disasters, but whether or not we’re prepared to deal with the consequences.

It doesn’t matter how much food and water we have stockpiled along with emergency supplies (though it certainly helps). My biggest concern is living every day to the fullest and squeezing the most out of every last second until my body forces my eyes shut each night. As the horrors of Haiti and Chile have shown, everything can be taken away in mere seconds when we least expect it.

What’s the lesson? Love with your whole heart today for who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Sources:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7832219/
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsus/
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2010-03-01-chile-quake-lessons_N.htm?se=yahoorefer
San Andreas Fault Map – David K. Lynch

Weighing In

The headline caught me. “Ice dancer Belbin has put on weight, and she couldn’t be happier.” (Thanks Yahoo! Sports.)

For those of you who follow the Olympics, Tanith Belbin and her ice dancing partner, Ben Agosto, won silver in Turin 2006. Without a doubt, Tanith was gorgeous. She literally looked like a Barbie doll.

So, obviously, curiosity got the best of me when I read the article’s headline. Expecting to see an Olympic-athlete-turned-obese-woman, I was slightly disappointed to learn that she gained ten pounds.

Ten pounds. And this makes news.

Ten pounds is nothing. I can pack that on in one indulgent weekend of chocolates, champagne, and take out.

Still, I had to read the story.

The article’s author, Maggie Hendricks, wrote:
“With Linichuk's [her new coach] help, Belbin changed her eating and training habits. She grew stronger, allowing curves and muscles to be a part of her body. Agosto said that their lifts have improved, as Belbin can hold herself up more easily. If you've ever held a sleeping child, you know that Agosto's job became much easier as Belbin's strength improved.”

As a result, the pair is in gold medal contention this week. Imagine that—an Olympic gold medal is in your grasp thanks to a few extra pounds.

So, if weight makes us stronger and healthier who cares if we gain ten or even twenty pounds as we age? No one can (or should) expect us to look the way we did in high school. Unfortunately, women with natural curves aren’t appreciated in the heavily covered media world of celebrities. For some reason, silicone and surgically enhanced beauty is what both men and women are taught to expect. It’s not fair.

While I’m not against plastic surgery, I wish the media would offer a more balanced view of reality. Model-like skinny makes up a very small percentage of the population. With the average size of women estimated at a 14 dress size, clearly, the size 0 actresses featured on nearly every TV show and movie do not reflect reality. But Hollywood wouldn’t have it otherwise. After all, movies are an escape and a size 4 ‘fatty’ doesn’t translate well on the silver screen. (For those of you who don’t know me, I’m being 100% sarcastic.)

While the Hollywood situation isn’t about to change, I hope that the Tanith Belbin story of overcoming the fear of weight gain will change the way some girls and women see themselves. Beauty, after all, lies within and isn’t measureable by inches around your waist.

Good luck, Tanith and Ben. Make the U.S. proud!

Resource:
Yahoo! Sports

TanithandBen.com

Helping the Helpless - Haiti

The Facts:
• As of January 23, 111,481 people were confirmed dead. An estimated 90,000 more are still buried beneath the thousands of collapsed buildings.
• Before the search-and-rescue effort ended on January 22, rescuers pulled 134 people alive from the rubble.
• On January 12th, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the nation where 80% of its population lives in poverty. About 50 aftershocks over a magnitude of 4.5 have hit Haiti since the initial earthquake.
• According to the U.N. 609,000 are now homeless in the capital of Port-au-Prince.
• In a country where about 40% of its population is made up of children, there is widespread concern that children who appear orphaned may have just been separated from parents. In the panic and rush to aid survivors, organizations like Save the Children are calling a halt to adoptions and evacuations. Of greatest concern is that the disaster situation will make it easy for children to disappear into child trafficking circles—a heinous practice that becomes rampant after every disaster around the world.
• Over 580,000 people received water from Unicef while the Red Cross has delivered an additional 30,000 liters.
• The World Food Programme has distributed 1,167,000 rations, but millions more are needed in the weeks and months ahead as the country tries to work through the aftermath.

Most of us don’t have ties to Haiti, but that doesn’t mean we’re not bonded by the ties of humanity. They too are our brothers and sisters and in their time of need, please consider helping them any way possible. The organizations below are currently accepting donations along with countless of others. There is usually a minimum of a $10 donation; $10 can buy us three gallons of gas or a ticket to the movies. But it’s a small sacrifice when that $10 can be combined with other donations to get medicine, doctors, food, clothing, and shelter to the homeless and the helpless.

Save the Children

Red Cross

Doctors without Borders

Sources:
CNN
CNN World
Yahoo News / Associated Press
Wikipedia

Haitian Presidential Palace - Image: Huffington Post

Let Freedom Ring

I was 12 when my seventh grade teacher asked the class to work on an assignment in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ecstatic about the creative project, I wrote a poem inspired by the famous “I Have a Dream” speech. While I understood its basic premise, I was a tad young to really grasp its profound impact and meaning.

After I handed in the assignment, my teacher pulled me aside and asked me what I knew about the speech. She then took the time to explain its socio-political implications at a level that a 12 year old could appreciate and even at such a young age I appreciated King’s speech because freedom was every American’s right, not the privilege of a few. I asked her if I could redo my assignment, which ended up winning a prize at our county competition celebrating the renowned leader.

While America has come a long way since 1963, the fight for equal rights rages on for many Americans who don’t fit the mould today. The power of King’s rhetoric is as viable in 2010 as it was back then. As he said: “…when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

Here’s praying and hoping that that day will come sooner rather than later.

Excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech on August 28, 1963 in Washington D.C.:
“Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.
And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."2
This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.
With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:
My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,
From every mountainside, let freedom ring!
And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.
And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.
Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.
Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.
But not only that:
Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.
From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

Sources: Picture from the Associated Press
www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk&feature=player_embedded#

New Year, New Resolutions

It’s that time of year again. Another year has come to a close and another is off to a fresh start. Of course this new beginning inherently implies another round of resolutions—some which will be kept and some which will fall to the wayside. According to a 2008 study, only 8% of people who make resolutions actually achieve them each year.*

As with all good intentions, the thought is nice but if they lack follow-through, they’re rather worthless. All of my New Year’s resolutions are fabulous—until reality hits. Ideas are great, action is better. (Ask me for an update in six months. I just might resolve to never commit to another New Year’s resolution!)

We each have our challenges and things we’d like to change. I’m hoping that by writing mine down this year, I’ll feel more obligated to keeping them.

My top five resolutions are:
5) Eating healthy & exercise, exercise, exercise!
This should be the easiest resolution to keep since it was last year’s number one resolution and one of the only ones I’ve ever kept. Every day from Thanksgiving through New Years brought with it a hectic schedule. Smart food habits flew out of the window in favor of convenience and comfort. The hard part is re-adjusting to healthy living again. But I know I can do it and I will.

4) Keeping up with my blog
Last August when I launched the blog, I felt exhilarated. I kept up with it as best I could until November. The holiday season threw a wrench into all of my best laid plans and intentions. I vow to have at least one new blog post each month.

3) Perspective
Clarity often occurs out of necessity, not rational thinking. Goal #3 is to organize my needs and wants and make sure all of my choices are for the betterment of my #1 priorities—my family. So, here’s to a year of no more wardrobe shopping (sad sigh) or trips to Hawaii (double sad sigh), and paying off my bills.

2) Finding an agent and/or publisher
I love writing. While I don’t expect them to change the world, my novels are a creative outlet for me and provide me with a sense of accomplishment. I’ve always wanted to write. Unfortunately, I never considered the uphill battle that goes hand-in-hand with it. The publishing world is driven by luck and circumstance. There are so many variables in finding an agent and publisher that it’s impossible to plan for it other than to research agencies, submit your best work, and pray for a miracle. The whole process is daunting and disheartening, but I’m wholeheartedly setting my sights on the publishing world this year. And if I don’t find an agent or publisher by the end of December, at least I won’t be able to say that it was due to my lack of effort.

1) Spend more time with my kids
Easy to say, hard to do. Life gets in the way. Now matter how much I plan our time together, other obligations always present obstacles—work, cooking, cleaning, paying bills, running errands, volunteering at school, writing my books. The list is endless. Sometimes it’s not even another responsibility; it’s just sheer exhaustion. As much as I want to read to the kids or watch a movie with them at night, my body wants to pass out under a cozy blanket. Whether imposed upon us or self-imposed, daily demands often take priority over the most important people in our lives. Even if I break the other four resolutions, this one is a keeper for 2010.

We’re halfway into January and I’ve got my work cut out for me. How are your resolutions holding up?

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2010!

Source: * Stephen Shapiro's 24/7 Innovation
Baby New Year Image