A friend of mine gifted me a pair of earrings the other day. But there’s so much more to the story than that. See, S started out as an acquaintance, someone I’d chat with now and then at a gathering we both attend, but not someone I had ever spent time with outside of that...
Tag: art
There’s a Reason We Call it the Burden of Social Proof
The other day, I heard someone refer to the “burden of social proof,” and I thought the word “burden” was so fitting. See, social proof as a standalone term refers really to herd mentality. It means “the influence the actions and attitudes of the people around us have on our own behavior.” But social proof,...
How Are You, Really?
My husband passed a coworker in the hall the other day and said, “How are you?” The man responded, “Fantastic.” My husband said, “Wow, that’s great.” The man said, “When someone asks you how you are, always say fantastic. No one wants to hear about your problems.” This strikes me as sad. I agree with...
The Numbers That Really Matter
I’m getting ready to roll out a new book and already obsessing about numbers. I’m wondering how many copies to order in my first print run. Should I dream big or be practical? How many books can I really sell in, say, the first three months? I’m concerned about raising my numbers of social media...
How Introverts and Extroverts Should Really Be Treated
Well, this is interesting, I’ve noticed an influx lately in books and podcasts and TED Talks geared toward enabling introverts to feel their self-worth and helping them maneuver in an “extrovert world.” Out of curiosity, I clicked over to Amazon and did a search in books for the word “introvert,” and dozens of titles came...
Is It Crazy to Mourn Someone Who Never Existed?
They killed off one my favorite characters on one of my TV shows last night, and I’m doing a bit of public mourning here. It’s not that I didn’t know it was coming. I’m way behind on episodes and I’d read that it happened. Though I was dreading it, I’d steeled myself well for the...
Sure, I Can Do That
The other night, I was attending a summer festival put organized by friends of mine. I was watching math magician, Petter Kolm, perform card and mind tricks. He asked for a volunteer from the audience who was savvy with his/her cell phone, so, of course, I did not raise my hand. Like any good Gen...
Speedy Gonzales Was My Hero
I have a flash drive that is shaped like Speedy Gonzales. The other day, I was conducting a school visit and one of the students said, “What is that?” “This?” I said. “It’s Speedy Gonzales. Don’t you recognize him?” He did not. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that a 21st century kid wouldn’t recognize...
The Only Formula You Need to Succeed
Okay, are you ready? I’m going to give it to you. The formula for creative thinking, the steps to success, the blueprint or plan to launch your creativity. I’m going to provide you with a system or a practice or a method you can follow to be your best creative self. You want answers, I...
The More You Change, The Less You Stay the Same
Our youngest child recently graduated from college. As you read this, my husband and I will have just dropped off her furniture and belongings at a storage unit in the town to which she is moving. Once again, our little family is in transition. Once again, we’ve reached the end of a chapter in our...