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Have you ever thought about a smile, what it means and what it represents? A smile can represent a natural reaction to joy, love, happiness and well-being. I think that smiling not only reflects happiness, but I am learning that it also triggers brain activity. It is our brain's left frontal cortex that registers happiness and joy. Haven't you noticed that when you smile, others smile back at you? Certainly, a smile can be a friendly gesture; however, I also think that you a

Quite a bit has happened since the wind and fire storms began in SoCal one month ago today. The following week, I felt led to write about lightheartedness, enjoyment, and playfulness in life. I am working on the latter one, trying to lead my life with childlike wonder. LOL! Back to reality. Amidst the unthinkable losses from the unprecedented disaster from the fires, I’ve seen and heard heartbreaking stories, but also miracles and signs of hope within our former Altadena comm

From time to time, my husband and I like to check-in with each other to see how the other one is doing. In our latest catch-up, my husband asked me a basic question, “What do you enjoy doing?” Of course, he knows what I like doing, but I think that he wanted to spur some additional conversation around this. I looked at him like a deer caught in a headlight, and I didn’t say anything. I wasn’t trying to be rude, but, for me, the answer was not so simple. He asked the question

One week ago today, the windstorm began to violently blow through Southern California. So many friends and neighbors of ours, at this point, too many to count have lost their homes and their possessions almost overnight. The Altadena community that we were a part of for 11 years, was decimated over a 24-hour span. It’s heartbreaking. As I sit here safely nestled in my home, I hear the unending hum of the super scooper planes (water planes) circling above, desperately trying t

I am sitting here in our backyard (amongst all of our boxes and things), rocking the night away in my favorite chair. Three hours ago, as I was working remotely today, our power went off (or the electric company turned it off), as we are in a full-blown Santa Ana winds frenzy. For the most part, it is just windy, but then every so often, gusty and erratic wind sweeps in!  This is an expression that my Grandpa Peter used a lot with my father while he was growing up. Unfortunat

Around the world, the beginning of a new year symbolizes a fresh start (or a new beginning) and a sense of hope. It’s a great time to abandon any difficulties from the previous year as well as to embrace new opportunities for the coming year. What are you hoping for or believing for in 2025? Are you planning on ringing in the new year in a special way? Although we’ve gone out in the past, my husband and I don’t typically go out on New Year’s Eve, unless we’ve been invited to

Although Christmas day is officially over, the Christmas season is not. I just wanted to take a few minutes and wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas! I hope that this is a cherished time with family and friends and in the spirit of love, joy, and reflection. I will be back to my regular posts next week.

I don’t know about you, but for me, this holiday season has been flying by. With our move at the end of October and the subsequent organizing and decluttering, I have felt like we were barely able to celebrate Thanksgiving, and then Christmas was here. I think this was the first year that I noticed Christmas decorations out even before Thanksgiving. I understand this as there is not nearly enough time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, especially for those of us that love th

It’s interesting, that the word “peace,” can mean different things to different people. “Freedom from disturbance or tranquility” is the dictionary’s definition of peace. For me, I resonate with this definition. However, what I have come to realize is that true peace is having a calmness or quiet mind, regardless of any change, uncertainty, or chaos surrounding me. Having said this, some days are easier to maintain peace or a quiet mind than others. Today was one of those dif

Eleven years ago, my husband and I moved from Florida to California to be near our family. At that time, we owned a house and a few rental properties. However, we had to short sale all of our properties, due to the housing market crash of 2007-08, and as my company needed me to be permanently in California. When we moved to CA, we ended up renting a house. We had always planned to own our own house again and we had been looking on and off for the past few years. Although, we

It has now been seven years since the trauma of 2017 and, I can say with complete certainty, that I am far better off physically, mentally and spiritually, then I was prior to it.  Before I got sick, I was fairly physically fit, as I would take spinning and boot camp classes a few times a week. However, two years ago, I got a Peloton bike, and I am now spinning and weightlifting (Nothing crazy of course!) 3 to 4 times a week, in addition to strengthening my core through Pelot

After about one month of being on hormone replacement therapy or Hormone Pellet Therapy (Implanting small pellets under the skin to deliver a consistent level of hormones into the bloodstream), I started to feel more alert. I began to have an interest (and the ability to sit still) in watching some TV. I vividly remember this time, as it was right around Christmas and New Year’s Eve. A few of the series I binge watched were Switched at Birth , Free Rein and Heartland . Note:

The five nights (or six days) that I spent in the locked facility seemed like an eternity for me. During my time in there, my mind was constantly flooded with a mix of thoughts including intense anxiety and frustration; feelings of isolation, paranoia, and claustrophobia; fear of the unknown and of never leaving the facility, among others.  I was grateful that the last night, my doctor told my husband that if I slept at least six hours, then I could be released.     Before my