Category Archives: Advice

Book Club

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There are stories that will forever remain in your heart. This one, by Paul Kalanithi, is one of those. Imagine being on the cusp of your dream job. Years of school and training and residency. The finish line so close. And then, to be diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. It was through this unfortunate turn of events in which this memoir was born. Take the time and read this moving story. Discover for yourself what makes a virtuous and meaningful life. Time, as Paul shares with us, is fleeting. No amount of schooling or training or praying can change that.

“There is a moment, a cusp, when the sum of gathered experience is worn down by the details of living. We are never so wise as when we live in this moment.”

 

Tuesday Travel

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With the new year upon us, my mind seems to be filled with wanderlust and dreams of faraway travels. We have a few trips planned but I’m hoping to add a few more to the list. This sense of wander was sparked by reading Wildsam’s secrets for the best trip ever. As you know, I’m a huge Wildsam fan so their advice is always sage in my book and thus I just had to share.

  1. Focus on the Neighborhood. And not so much on the hotel.
  2. Start on the flight. Start the immersion into your destination on the plane. This one made me chuckle as K and I watched In Bruges on our flight to Belgium.
  3. Become a regular. Find your spot and go more than once. You will fit right in.
  4. Rise, shine and run. In other words, be active and take in your new location on foot.
  5. Break the law {sort of}. Travel is the perfect time to step out of your comfort zone and say yes to new experiences.
  6. Leave Room for the Holy Spirit. Be open to opportunities and invitations you didn’t plan on.
  7. Bring a $50 bill. This allows you permission to treat yourself to something good.
  8. Talk to strangers. Locals really do know best!
  9. Eat dinner twice. This really doesn’t need an explanation, especially for me.
  10. Don’t go ice skating. If you aren’t a museum buff, don’t spend hours of your trip to Paris at The Louvre. Spend your trip doing what you love.
  11. Easy on the Instagram. Focus on the experience, not taking the perfect photo.
  12. Book the last flight home. I couldn’t agree more.

Where are your travels taking you in 2016? I’d love to hear!

How To

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Hello, dear readers! I was a bit under the weather yesterday so my sincerest apologies for yesterday’s silence. Today, I wanted to share with you my second How To column. And quite an important one, I think. How to write a thank you note. At a young age, I was taught the importance of saying thank you. Before a gift could be enjoyed, I had to sit at the kitchen table, put pen to paper and write out a card. Today, I do my best to follow the same protocol. Here are a few tips or rather how to’s to help you out.

  1. Timing is everything. I always try to write a thank you note within 24 hours. Timeliness is also key as I can’t tell you how many times I send a gift and don’t hear from the recipient. Its always nice to know a gift was received!
  2. Keep a supply. Keeping a supply of cards on hand makes the writing that much easier. From these postcards to these cheerful cards, having inventory is key to getting a thank you card in the mail pronto! I tend to shy away from a thank you text.
  3. Be you. There is no need to overthink a thank you card. Simply be gracious, thank the sender for their kindness and generosity, indicate how the item or experience was received or how it will be used and sign off with a sweet salutation. It really is that simple!
  4. Plan ahead. During the holiday season, writing cards can be time consuming so sometimes I try and address envelopes ahead of time. Same is true for birthday and/or weddings and showers.

Love Story

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Look at these two? My mother and stepfather. Married 24 years today. I asked them both to share their advice on the key to a successful relationship. Here is what they had to say…

“Best advise I can give is patience – gratitude – and ability to forgive and to know that sometimes it’s all about you and sometimes it’s all about your partner but you are willing to do that for each other because you are happier together than apart.”

“Men ARE from Mars and women ARE from Venus. We process things differently. Stretching ourselves beyond the limits of these psychological and emotional boundaries, makes for a real adventure in love and commitment.”

Pretty good if you ask me. Any words of wisdom you live by? Would love to hear, dear readers.

Enjoy the start to your week!