Some people, I am not one, find it very difficult to take time off from work.

My clients in sales, who rely on commissions, are particularly reluctant to go away. They worry about (read more…)

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There was a piece in Annie’s mailbox yesterday on a troubled family relationship. Since I’m in the advice biz I’m always curious about what others have to say. Sometimes I disagree with their response and it’s great fodder for my blog. I also think they tend toward the passive and polite which is okay sometimes but  that approach is unlikely to effect change going forward.

This woman wrote in about her daughter who has had “behavioral and psychological issues her whole life”. Her daughter, now 40 and a mother herself, has been “drinking, doing drugs, becoming unemployed and spending too much money.” The police have been to their house for domestic voilence issues and (read more…)

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Sometimes you just have to go with your gut about what feels right despite what others may be saying.  Okay, that sounds like I’m talking about resisting peer pressure to do drugs or something. No. I’m talking about when someone tells you you don’t have to do something but you know it’s the right thing. Sometimes we don’t want to inconvenience others so we say, “no, you don’t have to, it’s alright, I’ll be fine”, etc. 

The father of a  close friend passed away last month. (read more…)

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Tuesday, April 8th, 2009, the Vermont legislature overrode by one vote Governor Jim Douglas’ veto and approved same sex marriage.

I am proud to be a Vermonter. I believe in love. I believe in tolerance. I believe in acceptance. I believe in appreciating our differences. I believe in equal rights. I believe in treating others as I would have them treat me. I believe in change. I believe in the power of the people.

I truly do not understand another opponents’ position.

What is so threatening about gay couples having the right to marry?

What makes gays undeserving of the same rights you enjoy?

What effect will their right to marry have on you personally?

What evidence do you have that children will be harmed by being raised with two parents of the same sex?

What if your own child was gay? Would you support a prejudiced world then?

What values do you want to instill in your children?

How would this world be different if we practiced tolerance and acceptance of others no matter their differences or beliefs?

What would acceptance feel like?

Will you try it?

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Our friend Damon stopped by this afternoon. He told us it’s his wedding anniversary today but money is tight and life is a little tough at his house these days so he wasn’t planning anything special. He cares for his wife and wanted to do something nice but I suspect they are in a “rut”. He really wasn’t feeling any energy and didn’t want to spend much money. Basically, I think he just wanted to do enough to have sex tonight. (read more…)

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We stopped for a drink last night at our favorite local hangout, www.thebeardedfrog.com . Our friend and bartender extraordinaire, Jeff, greeted us and commented on our glowing skin and relaxed demeanor. We told him we had just gotten back from a quick getaway to Florida. He asked if we had brought the kids. An emphatic, “Hell, no!” was our response, to which he raised his hand for a high five. He gets it. He is the father of three kids under the age of five. Ours are teenagers and no less delightful to leave behind.

Okay, who’s thinking right now what a selfish, irresponsible parent I am? (read more…)

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Yes, it’s been a long time since I have posted anything in this space! Thanks to the friends who have missed me and have taken the time to let me know. I could explain and perhaps even justify my absence but in the interest of moving forward, I will just sum it up by saying that the needs of others took precedence over my own ambitions. The story of my life it seems!

Even this week as I sit down at my desk with a renewed commitment to this blog and to my business; a hot pink list of priorities in front of me reminding me that I AM the top five, I see that my daily agenda contradicts my aim. Three of the top four “to dos” are in the interest of others. I can’t stand it! Even armed with new resolve, it is hard to avoid getting sucked back in. As I have tried to explain to my daughter who has undoubtedly inherited my tendencies to drop everything for folks in need, this is an admirable trait until it it begins to jeapordize your own health and/or well-being. At that point, which I hope you can learn to recognize, you would be well advised to take a step back. I am trying to do that now. (read more…)

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