Technology is an wonderful thing (when it works).  But let's face it; it is making us lazy.

Many of us remember when you had to get up off the sofa to change the TV channel!  Yeah Baby, there was NO channel surfing during commercials in those days. Today, your remote(s), DVRs, and online programming don't require you to leave the sofa...that is if you even watch "TV" on a television.  You may use mobile technology instead.

Human beings forget things.  A 2013 study by 3M showed that the average person forgets four things every day.  I would suggest to you that life has become exponentially more complex, busy, and cluttered since 2013, so I would guess we actually forget more than four things each day.

How are you doing with your 2017 goals thus far?  I am working through mine.  Most of my goals are in progress.  Weight loss goal...let's just say, "not so much".

In its "18 Facts About Goals and Their Achievement", GoalBand reports that 92% of people fail their New Years Goals by January 15. I am not ready to say "fail" on my 2017 goals, and neither should you!

The semicolon is a form of English punctuation that separates two independent clauses.  The Punctuation Guide describes it as "stronger than a comma, but weaker than a period".

As a copywriter, I understand the editorial value of a well-placed semicolon. But I love that this "little" punctuation mark has a much bigger meaning. A semicolon marks the place where a sentence COULD have ended but it DIDN'T.  That is why the semicolon has become the symbol of Suicide, Depression, and Self-Harm Awareness.

While planning my Toastmasters Club's meeting earlier this week, I had the opportunity to incorporate two "Life Lessons for 2017" into my talk.  I chose to share "Sunbeams and Screwtops".  

What do sunbeams and screwtops have to do with each other or how to look at the coming year?  Glad you asked!

On Sunday, it was 11 degrees with a wind chill of -2 degrees.  AND...we left our house at 7:30 AM to travel to Ski Roundtop for Ada's ski lesson.  The slopes opened at 8:00 AM, and I was confident the place would be pretty deserted.  Wrong!  The parking lot was packed.  The resort was bustling with happy skiers.  What?  It's Siberian out here.  Are you people crazy?!

First, it is obvious I am NOT the skier in the family. And, YES, everyone around me was crazy - crazy in love with skiing.

Well, it is Day 9 of the New Year. How are those New Year Resolutions working out for you so far?

The first weekend of the new year has past and some of our best intentions didn't happen.  Or maybe you have been been sick or caring for someone who is.  If you cheated on your new diet or backslid on your exercise program, relax.  Whatever happened, GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK!  

"I am strong.  I am smart.  I am brave.  I am beautiful."

That is the statement I ask my 8-year old daughter to say to me every morning to remind her of a few of her important gifts.  I have also repeated that same statement to her, to boost her confidence when she is fearful. 

Yesterday, I shared my thoughts on Marketing Congruency.  The word "congruent" always makes me think of my coach and friend, Dave Romeo.  I do not know another person who lives congruent, works congruent, or uses the word "congruent" more than Dave.  That is a good thing.

REPRINTED FROM May 8, 2011 Blog Post

​Mother’s Day has always been special for me because I am blessed with an extraordinary mother.  (Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!  You are still my hero!)

But today was extra special.  This is my first Mother’s Day as a mom!