As we grow older and wiser, relationships (whether familial, platonic, or romantic) inevitably change – that’s simply a reality of the human experience. Some of those relationships continue to improve and strengthen with time and maturity. In contrast, others seem to wither away from a lack of nurturing. However, it becomes puzzling how to accurately determine if someone still truly values you in their life. Many of us rarely entertain such a question. Understandably, we’re fearful of the answers, which challenge our often skewed perception of reality – of a true, connecting, and binding relationship having taken place. A relationship shouldn’t feel like a chore – a one-sided exercise with little return on your investment. Unfortunately, this often forces you to tolerate a handful of repetitive excuses for one’s inability…
I recently came across an article on YourModernFamily.com by writer Becky Mansfield which gave some enlightening information on how today’s families are too busy. She shares that after recently moving into a family-friendly neighborhood, she asked one of the mothers next door if their daughters could get together and play. She assumed the response would be immediate, and the girls could get together that same day. Instead, she was shocked when the mother pulled out her cell phone and began scrolling and scrolling and scrolling for what seemed like forever before finally responding, “She has a 45-minute opening two and half weeks from now. The rest of the time gymnastics, piano, and voice lessons. She’s just so busy.” I wish I could say I haven’t experienced the same situation in my life,…
Today's generation of children believes that being a winner - being #1 - is one of the most important personal characteristics they can strive towards. Humility, unfortunately, is not a word they use or apply in their interactions with others. Instead, they've based their self-worth and perceived successes on overconfidence, which includes always being a winner, on never making a mistake that would topple them from the throne of being #1. Many children now lack the social-emotional skills to cope with losing - even among family or friends. And when they are, in fact, the legitimate winner of a game, contest, or other competitive circumstance, they take great satisfaction in making sure they flaunt their achievement to the losing party with an unappealing dose of arrogance. To be valuable and…
In my early twenties, I remember spending countless hours perched upon an overstuffed chair in my bedroom, immersed in the creative process of writing poetry or song lyrics on a yellow-lined notepad. At the time, I could never dream my life would be void of this creative process, even with the evolution of priorities and responsibilities. Writing was like a cherished old friend for me during that period. Always there to listen unconditionally while allowing me to compartmentalize my feelings and discharge them between the lines of my yellow-lined notepad. Some might say it was my form of journaling, easing one’s stress during times of struggle. Yet some 25 years later, the evolution of priorities and responsibilities seems to continue, and what was once a huge part of my life…
Your primary residence might be the only property you own. But the reality is that buying a house is essentially investing in real estate. At some point, either you or your beneficiaries will profit from its sale, and often updates and remodels will add to its overall value. Over the years, as my wife and I would discuss updates and remodels to our home, some would always say, “make sure you think about the ROI,” which stands for “return on investment” for those unfamiliar. The suggestion always reminded me of my great aunt’s house, where her kitchen featured a fire-engine red enamel sink with white-washed cabinets and red handles. While certainly not my taste, and no doubt would cause anxiety to some HGTV hosts, my aunt absolutely loved her kitchen…