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If you have decided to downsize or declutter your home, you may feel overwhelmed. Clearing clutter is best done in smaller steps on a regular basis. You may also want to schedule days to work on thinning out your stuff. Mark it in your calendar!
In the movie What About Bob, there is a fabulous scene about Baby Steps.
Giving is so easy to do but also so easy not to do. Remember that when you give a review, you may be making someone’s day and giving them hope. There are so many ways to give if we just take the time!
I recently went to California and found a coffee shop/juice joint that I loved and went to three times in the course of a weekend! I went wild and gave them reviews and raves on Yelp, Trip Advisor, Instagram and Facebook. The owner and worker bees were thrilled and so grateful. In particular I loved the Coconut Activated Charcoal latte, which I have pictured here. So, if you find yourself in Newport Beach, go to Juice Mi!
Small shops and restaurants are great places to start reviewing to help give them a boost. Pick your favorite platform and give your favorite spot a shout out!
At the end of the year, charities are often in desperate need of donations, particularly financially. Why not research and donate to three charities this month! You can also drop off clothing, canned foods, etc. or spend some time volunteering. In November, I donated to The Gathering Place, Warren Village and Nica Nadadores. [Read more…]
My latest book is now available.
Colorado book stores that carry Lighter Living:
Breck Books and Boulder Bookstore.
You may also buy on IndieBound.
Lighter Living is also in paperback or Kindle on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
You may find professional reviews on BlueInk Reviews as well as Foreword Reviews.
Clearing clutter is much more than cleaning out a closet crammed with things or getting rid of the contents of boxes piled in your basement, attic, or storage unit. Most of us have unfinished business that might make us feel like we walk around dragging a heavy ball with a chain connected to our ankle. When you declutter and possibly downsize, you can free yourself of weighty matters that tie you down physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
I recently realized that my love of tiny homes and cozy spaces, in general, can be traced back to my love of the Boxcar Children books. I always loved the concept of running away and living in a “found space” away from the normal lives of other people. I grew up building forts in the woods, and seeking out small nooks and corners to curl up in. I love the word superfluous. It is an adjective and according to dictionary.com, it means being more than is sufficient or required; excessive. It also means unnecessary or needless. But wait, there is more! Obsolete, possessing or spending more than enough or necessary; extravagant.
When I grabbed onto this word, I began to use it in many ways. I walked around my home opening every cabinet, cupboard, drawer, closet and box. I evaluated the contents of every nook and cranny in my house in search of the superfluous. It was everywhere. How many office supplies do I need? How many duplicate kitchen items do I have? How many spare linens and towels do I require? [Read more…]
In the Summit Daily News on December 29, 2018, I read the story entitled, Family remembers Arvada man who died following cardiac event at Keystone. The picture shows a smiling man on the ski slopes, Daniel Mares, age 52. He was three years younger than I am, which caught me eye. His first cardiac event killed him without warning on December 22, 2018.
The article provided Daniel’s background and a glimpse of his personality and passions. It stated that he was “characterized largely by his effortless intellectualism, a carefree and joyful disposition, and the love he shared with his children.” He had two kids age 23 and 21, who are now struggling to deal with his loss on many levels.
I enjoyed reading about Mare’s life until I got to the point where it was revealed that he had not done any planning for the inevitable, his ultimate death. I then felt heartsick for his kids, who are just a bit younger than mine. The article quoted his daughter, “This was his first cardiac event, so I don’t think even he was prepared for it. There’s no will, no life insurance and no financial records…so we have nothing, and were the only people our dad had.” [Read more…]
This year I read or listened to an average of a book a week. So I had over 50 books to choose from as my favorites for 2018. The following recommendations are the cream of the crop from my perspective.
Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment by Martin E.P. Seligman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was filled with tests. I found it valuable to think about my level of happiness and signature strengths. I thought about what virtues I have and which ones I might want to place more focus upon in the future. I wish I had read the chapter on raising children when my kids were little. I understand more about how I can achieve more lasting happiness. And what I like most about the book is its hopeful and optimistic nature. It was very inspiring and I have recommended it many people.
Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges by Amy Cuddy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Outstanding! I have been recommending this book right and left to young and older people alike. I found the power posture concept invaluable. The imposter syndrome rang true for me at times in my life. The book is filled with gems and I know I will read it again and soak in even more of its valuable content.
Tom Brokaw wrote the book The Greatest Generation in 1998. These men and women grew up in the US and experienced the Great Depression. During and after World War II, this generation stepped up to do amazing things. In the book, Brokaw wrote, “it is, I believe, the greatest generation any society has ever produced”. He argued that these men and women fought not for fame and recognition, but because it was the “right thing to do”.
My dad, Robert Shultz, fought in World War II, serving in the navy on the USS Missouri battleship. When he returned from the war, he utilized the GI bill to get a university education. He then went on to become a successful businessman. Men returning from the war threw themselves into rebuilding their lives and the economy with a zest of working hard.
Baby Boomers like myself were born roughly between 1946-1966 following the war. (I was born in 1963.) The “Greatest Generation” bar was set high for us boomer kids. In some respects, that was a good thing. I learned to value hard work, education and strong morals. Sons born to this generation may have been more affected by the high bar of standards than daughters. What if the sons could not achieve the level of success of their fathers under ordinary circumstances? Is it possible that dads might look down upon their sons or boys might find it difficult to match or surpass their father’s bar of success? [Read more…]
It is a gift to authors when you write positive, honest book reviews. A bad review stings as well. Be thoughtful in what you say in your review. If you only slam the book, that does not help the author improve. If there is one thing you can praise even if you did not like the book, be sure to mention it.
In writing a positive review, here are some tips:
Think about and then write some stand out points you gleaned from the book. What section was most valuable to you and why? Did you become inspired to take some type of action as a result of what you read? Did the book provoke emotion in you? Why might someone else enjoy or benefit from the book? Be specific; vague statements of praise are rarely helpful to discerning, prospective readers.
Make sure you review more than one author or Amazon will think you are biased. I know two people who were banned for life from writing future reviews on Amazon because they had not written reviews for more than one particular person. Share the love!
Most reviews can be kept to 2-5 sentences, which does not take much time. You can write a much longer review, but it may not be necessary and be considered a rant. [Read more…]
