I am on a decluttering mission.

Over the last several years, my husband and I have inherited piles of items from our parents. These items have been collecting dust and taking up space in our basement, garage, and minds.

My parents moved out of state and “gifted” us with items they no...

I received a call from my mom two weeks ago.

She and my dad had an opportunity to go on vacation with their neighbors.  A beautiful house rental, owned by the neighbor’s family friend, was free to use for a week.  They only had to pay for airfare to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

They...

I used to be a runner.  Not the exercise, marathon kind of runner.  No.  I was a runner when it came to conflict.  In a fight or flight situation, I was gone.  Out of there.

It’s taken me a long time and conscious effort to stick around and confront conflict.

...

I’ve been watching this tv show called, Alone, and I am totally hooked.

Alone is a competition where individuals are dropped off in the wilderness and must survive for as long as they can, alone, with just a few tools and their skills.  The last person remaining who does not...

My husband and I just returned from a trip to Glacier National Park, Montana.

Our main goal was to see a glacier before they are all melted.  The experts predict that all the glaciers will be gone by 2030.  That’s only eight years away!

We hiked about 30 miles over five...

Every day, I speak with high achieving, empathic women who care deeply about the impact they make on the people around them.

They are sensitive, loving, giving people who work hard to make everyone happy, to the detriment of their own happiness.

These smart, caring women live with a ton of fear:

As children we are asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Teacher.

Fireman.

Nurse.

Police Officer.

Doctor.

Our answers reflect the world around us and our limited experiences with the people in our lives.

When I graduated from high school, I went to college to be an...

Last week we picked up our new camper and headed out on our first camping trip of the season.  Our adventure began before we left the driveway.

As I was making the bed, I smelled something burning.  You know that distinct, melting plastic, electrical smell?

I shouted for my husband,...

If saying NO is so good for us, and creating healthy boundaries improves our quality of life, then why is it so darn difficult?

The answer is simple: we receive a payoff when we please others. 

We feel a sense of accomplishment, pride, and gratification when we help others.  It...

When you woke up today, what did you choose to focus on?

          Obstacles or Opportunities

          Problems or Solutions

          Lemons or Lemonade

          Have to or Get to

...

Last week I went to see a dermatologist.

I made the appointment nine months ago.  That’s the first appointment I could snag and luckily, I did not have an emergent need.

The purpose of this visit was to conduct an overall skin check and establish a relationship with this new...

The area where I live boasts some beautiful county parks. 

One of my favorite places to walk is Chestnut Ridge.  This park has rolling hills that get my heart rate up and wooded trails that calm my busy brain.

I usually walk the same three-mile loop however, last month I was forced to...