People talk about being busy – busy tending to personal and professional tasks that extend outside their responsibilities or interests. This is especially true for many of my clients during the pandemic. If you can relate, then you may need something to change, and that something just might be you.

"When will this end?" "I miss my life." "I can't take this anymore." When the pandemic made its way into our lives back in March, you quickly scrambled to figure out how to keep moving forward.

I look forward to the day when my skin does not afford me more of a privilege than those of other colors and shades. We are part of the same human race, each unique, like our fingerprints, yet the same because we have hearts and brains that want and deserve to live with calm, peace, and love.

The days are so strange. There is an eeriness in the air. Few cars on the street. More people walking around – many in the middle of the road for social distancing purposes.

We are scrambling to figure out how we can continue being productive now that everything has gone virtual - everything but our kids, that is. We still have meetings, projects, emails, and calls, and yes, we now have our kids, who want and need us, at home all day, every day too.

One of the things I love about my brother-in-law, Lee, a Ph.D. Nuclear Physicist, is his ability to enthusiastically and skillfully explain complex scientific facts, theories, and challenges in ways that I, a non-scientifically knowledgeable person, can understand.

“Squeeze your core,” and “keep your head up” were two common phrases that this not so talented childhood gymnast heard from her coaches when trying to master skills on the balance beam.

Do you want to spend more time with your family and less time at work? Do you want to go on weekend excursions with the kids, have date nights with your partner, and go out for dinner with your friends?

Many of my childhood friends grew up excited for Santa’s arrival. They made their lists and checked them twice, baked cookies and left them on the table before going to bed eagerly awaiting the excitement of waking up to find Santa’s gifts under their Christmas tree.

Today marks the last-first day of high school for my daughter as she is now a senior and the first day that she drove herself – and my son, a sophomore — to school. After the traditional (and typical) first day of school pics, my husband and I watched as they drove off.

Busy. People are busy. Professionally overwhelmed and overworked. Personally, not meeting responsibilities. Self-care? What’s that? Stress, fatigue, and frustration kick into high gear and with no roadmap for change, busy people remain busy.

During the hour-long follow-up meeting, I was reminded of the many things that one should never do when trying to sell a service (or product). It doesn’t matter what setting you are in - business, academic or social – these are things you should never do:

I did not know Kate Spade or Anthony Bourdain but I respected them and happily welcomed them into my home. I still have the Kate Spade bag I received as a gift years ago – always wanting to keep it despite not using it anymore.

It has been one month since I drank coffee. And I do not miss it.

Sitting at a café table, looking out the window at the gloomy, rainy weather and gray sky, one might consider the rain a metaphor for the tears my town is shedding for the passing of a teenager less than 72 hours ago.

When your staff is venting to you about conflicts they are having with colleagues, what do you do? Intervene and defend the other person’s actions, offer suggestions for resolution or get involved and offer assistance?

March Madness is an exciting time in my house as my husband and kids enjoy following the 64 college basketball teams (now 16) play to stay alive for another round in the NCAA tournament.

When deciding that a change in your life is necessary, how do you go about making it happen? What is involved in the effort; is it a simple or complex, time consuming or a quick fix, impacting only you or others as well?

Some people graciously offer their time and energy to help those in need. Others lend their support while some go into fix-it mode with the hopes of resolving the issue