It was probably about six or seven years ago, and I was meeting a few friends at my previous home. I was resting from a time of traveling abroad with a team of college students. These were special friends because we had lost touch for some time and were finally able to get together. While we shared old memories over …
Making Old Things New
Well, the New Year is upon us, and with it comes a flood of expectations, dos and don’ts lists, new journals, new attitudes, and new diet trends. Sometimes keeping up with plans and organizing the calendar for the new year seems to be just as stressful as shopping and preparing for Christmas! I’ve been thinking and meditating about how I …
Being Alone Is Not the Same as Being Lonely
“The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone.” —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe I think it is safe to assume that everyone experiences bouts of loneliness throughout their lives. You will recognize it quickly because it is a dark, sad, pathetic, and unwanted feeling. It creeps in uninvited and takes residence for as long as we allow it to — …
Why Is Being Grateful So Important?
With the Thanksgiving holiday nearing, I’m sure your mind is doing that familiar introspection thing that almost always leads to taking inventory of all the things you are thankful for this year. This season is a time when we pay attention to the simple acts of kindness bestowed upon us — whether deserved or undeserved. I’m there, and trust me, …
When the Birds Leave the Nest…
The best thing you can do for your precious ones, is to empower them to face life, and move on to build their own nests.
Am I the Only One Who’s Sick and Tired of Menopause?
The flare-ups were constant and undeniable, as well as the night sweats and the tiredness. At some point I thought menopause had arrived with a vengeance. However, after a heart attack and follow-up open heart surgery, my surgeon diagnosed me with coronary heart disease. I could have sworn it was menopause given the similarities in the symptoms, but I was …
Sisters Love at All Times
I have three sisters, and while growing up together in Puerto Rico, we shared a three bedroom house with only one bathroom. This was challenging as we grew into our teen years because, obviously, privacy was an issue, but the biggest issue was the bathroom usage. We would often fight each other to get some extra time for fixing our …
Field Notes: Every Food Gathering is a Love Feast!
One take-away I engraved deeply after I returned home from my trip to Asia, is the idea to value the company of friends and family around the table once again; like I used to.
Field Notes: And There I Was, Reminded of an Old Truth
I hosted a handful of international exchange students at my home several years back, and from the moment I picked them up at the airport until now, we have considered each other family. Recently, I was on a book promotion trip to South Korea and my Thai student/daughter insisted I come visit her since I was so close and would …
Field Notes: A Dazzling, Grand Thing
On my recent trip to Thailand, I visited the The Grand Palace in Bangkok. And let me tell you, to say I was impressed – and visually overwhelmed – would be an understatement! While exploring the grounds, I turned to my Thai daughter Minky and exclaimed, “Thailand is rich!” She laughed and quickly stated, “What do you mean? It is …