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They’re not a pair of lost mittens or one sock that disappeared in the dryer that can be replaced or maybe even found. Friends are different. They represent far more--perhaps a long history we shared or a strong relationship over a shorter timeline.  Regardless of the length of the friendship, they were part of our lives and in our heads and thoughts for some period of time. We probably confided some facts or emotions, told something about ourselves or our family and asked about them and their crew, possibly each time we got together. We most likely traded calls, emails...

Want to be a better friend? Learn to listen. It’s a skill that requires practice. It’s hard not to insert your comments, questions and suggestions into someone else’s conversation. Maybe they need to vent about a serious problem. At the same time, try to observe. Pay attention. Pick up on the innuendos such as their body language, their mood, expressions and tone in their voice.  Friendships that are likely to last have to be nurtured. You share problems, try to remember key dates in their lives and check in on them periodically just to ask, “What’s happening?” This is hard...

  When most of us hear the term investments, we immediately think of money: invest in our retirement funds, put money in our savings accounts or CDs, our homes, antique cars, wine, jewelry, good art, our kids’ or grandkids’ college savings plans. It’s all about the almighty dollar. Invest, invest, invest. Your money will grow. You will be OK in old age. We concede that investing money is important but this blog addresses investing in a different guise. Why not take the same mindset about money and invest in ventures without a monetary return, all the social, psychological and physical...

We try. We try really hard. We grew up hearing our parents utter the cliché: If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again… Ok. We try. And it sounds good until we try so hard we become a nuisance.   Imagine this scenario. Case #1: You’ve tried to reach an editor, manager or colleague to hear back that they’ve read and edited your story or report. After reaching out several times, doing so has the opposite effect and they get annoyed or even tell you you’re acting unprofessionally! Or they may not tell you but think it.  Here’s another,...

  Most of us have secrets we’d rather not share, hidden away in a pocket of our minds like ghosts that haunt us.We all have secrets, says psychotherapist Jill Davis, MSSW, with a private consulting practice assisting pre-med and medical students. “We have a public persona and the person we are within our families, which is often messier. We try to keep hidden the less likeable parts of ourselves to be better liked, more esteemed, or more admired, depending on the qualities (admiration, being seen as kind or easy-going etc.) that safeguard our ego and pride in the public arena.” ...