Don't Hold Your Breath!

If a person hasn't changed in twenty or more years, he or she isn't likely to now. (The exception, of course, is you!) Don't waste time torturing your parents or other family members about why you're angry,...

Making Bad Situations Better

Most people would not have enjoyed this: Yesterday, as I drove down a major, high-speed-limit highway, a tire flew clean off my car. I had to wait more than two hours for significant help--largely because my...

How Do You Feel? Well, How Do You Think?

Twelve-step programs call this "acting as if." It's a simple concept, really: If you don't feel great about that family reunion, business meeting or gift, pretend you do. Oh, you don't have to go all-out...

Hiding the Stress You Feel

Unhappily, no one can be at his or her best at all times. And cell phones and other technology almost guarantee that, when we're at our worst, someone else will be certain to find us! The alternative, of...

A Tale of Two Stores

As I mentioned here not long ago, I recently got married. My mother threw me a shower. (Strictly speaking, a family member is not supposed to make a shower, but my mother is such a great party giver, and was...

Charlie, My Oil Man

That's because as long as Charlie's with the company, I will be, too. Why? Home heating oil is not exactly inexpensive. And I am not exactly flush with frogskins at any given time. But Charlie's earned the...

Accentuating the Positive

My first thought: I don't want to begin this project feeling depressed and resentful. My second: I'd like to feel good about this project. Same idea? You bet. Which one do you think I'll use with my...

Give the Dog a Good Name

When You're the Victim of A Personal Attack

Everybody makes mistakes. Sooner or later, you will, too. Perhaps instead, you'll be blamed for something you didn't do. That happens, too. What's important to think about is not the unfairness of your...

Make Things Easier For Yourself, Others

I got married this month (one reason you didn't see many blogs from me). All my life, I couldn't understand the reasons for this strange custom. My mother had often tried to persuade me to marry by presenting...