Money Can’t Always Buy Happiness… …but it can sure make us miserable sometimes! Let’s get smart and ditch the unhealthy relationship many of us have with money. Like any tool, we should learn how to use it wisely and make sure it’s in alignment with our highest values. Money is neither our enemy nor our […]
Connection
5 Great Ways To Make Lasting Memories
No matter how old—or young—you are, you can create memorable moments by adding touches of novelty to your life. Look for novelty There’s an oft-told—and very true—story in our family about my Uncle Edmund Taylor (see “Happy 100th Birthday, Uncle Edmund!”), who famously enjoyed pushing his loved ones slightly beyond their comfort zone to instill […]
Valedictory Challenge: What Will Your Legacy Be?
It is always a joy to meet young people whose spirit and vision for the future are inspiring and compelling. Today I want to introduce you to just such a young woman: Annabelle Palmer. My friend Coe Sherrard, owner of The Woodstock Café and Shoppes, pulled me aside recently to share an excerpt from the […]
Learn To Set Healthy Boundaries
Giving is good…until it’s too much. Let’s talk about setting boundaries. This is updated from an earlier post, but the message is even more important than ever for those striving to live the Heartspoken life. It’s important to remember that while generosity and giving of ourselves is essential, if we don’t set healthy boundaries, we […]
Book Review: Grief Works by Julia Samuel (a helpful primer)
We cannot escape death and grief, so we must learn how to deal with them. Grief Works: Stories of Life, Death, and Surviving by Julia Samuel Reviewed by Elizabeth H. Cottrell 4 stars out of 5 [NOTE: this is a more detailed review than the one I posted on Amazon and Goodreads.] Grief Works was highly recommended […]
10 Great Reasons Why You Should Keep A Reading Journal
Reading unlocks ideas and worlds Reading is my ticket to access wisdom, insights, experiences, and cultures I could never acquire otherwise. It thrills me to immerse myself in another time, another country, or another world without ever leaving my chair. My heart swells with hope and inspiration when I read motivational literature or when the […]
Book Review: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng Reviewed by Elizabeth H. Cottrell My rating: 5 of 5 stars I was so impressed with this author’s book Everything I Never Told You and was anxious to read this one too. Some reviewers felt it was not as good as her first, but I found it even better. […]
Notewriting Can Heal The Sender Too
Once asked what action he would recommend if a person were to feel a nervous breakdown coming on, famed American psychiatrist Karl Menninger (1893-1990) replied: “Lock up your house, go across the railroad tracks, and find someone in need and do something for him.” One more reason to write personal notes! Over time, I’ve shared […]