Her Place at the Table: Empowering Women to Navigate Career Challenges and Achieve Leadership Success

In honor of International Women’s Day, I wanted to share something empowering. Her Place at the Table: A Woman's Guide to Negotiating Five Key Challenges by Judith Kolb, Linda Williams, and Carol Frohlinger is a must-read for women looking to enhance their negotiating skills, leadership capabilities, and self-empowerment. This insightful book offers valuable strategies for overcoming the unique challenges women often encounter in the workplace, particularly for those aiming to advance in leadership roles and confront gender-specific obstacles. The authors focus on five key challenges women tend to face: self-promotion, authority, negotiation, bias, and work-life balance. 

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My Treasures: The Art of Preserving Memories

My family will tell you just how serious I am about my "treasures" – photos, kids' artwork, certificates, videos, and all the little mementos that capture the essence of our lives. To me, these tangible memories are more than just keepsakes; they are a way to hold onto moments that might otherwise slip away with time.

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Fragments of Love: Reflecting on Loss, Legacy, and the Unsaid

This month, my mom and her siblings remembered my dear grandmother, Joyce, on what would have been her birthday. As I thought about the array of emotions they must be feeling, I couldn't help but reflect on all the memories she created and the impact she had on our family. Though our family may not be as close as we once were, her presence still lingers in each of us. She wasn’t just a mother, grandmother; she was a grounding force who brought people together, even if only for a moment. The lessons she taught, the tough love she gave, and the laughter she sparked continue to resonate in our lives, even as time and distance have shifted our connections. Her memory is a reminder of how a single person can leave a lasting mark, and even though the family feels scattered, the pieces of her love and influence still exist in all of us. 

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Valentine's Day: Embracing Love in All Its Forms

Over time, my perspective on Valentine's Day has evolved. I’ve come to acknowledge the holiday for what it is—a day to celebrate love—but I no longer see it as a necessary occasion to receive grand gestures of affection. I used to look forward to receiving a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a heartfelt card—it always brightened my day. The feeling of being thought of, especially when I’d be called to the front desk to pick up a special delivery, was truly special.

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Winter Wellness: Staying Healthy and Happy

The holiday season fills me with joy—and a fair bit of distraction. After the excitement and bustle of the festivities fade, it’s a challenge to navigate through the gray, bone-chilling days of winter, bundled up in layers just to stay warm.

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Skipping New Year’s Resolutions This Year (And Why You Might Want To Too)

Various studies reveal that the most common New Year’s resolutions revolve around health/fitness and finances. These are also at the top of my list as I focus on living a healthier lifestyle and building financial security for the next phase of my life—whether it’s building emergency funds, contributing to my grandchildren's education, traveling more, ensuring a comfortable retirement, or even remodeling my home (or possibly moving).

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Holiday Classics, the Laughs, and the New Gems You Might Have Missed

With so many On-Demand, streaming services, and cable channels offering a smorgasbord of Christmas classics, it can feel like there’s no end to the festive viewing options. And while I’ll always have a soft spot for the timeless classics, there are a few newer releases that have found their way into my seasonal rotation — and maybe they’ll make their way into yours, too.

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The Spirit of Giving: During the Holidays and Beyond

During the holiday season, I’m reminded of how truly blessed I am. While there are always things I could want, do, or become, I try to focus first on how far I’ve come and the blessings I’ve received. Still, my heart aches for those less fortunate, and I often find myself wishing I could do more to help.

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Navigating Life’s Transitions During the Holidays

As the holiday season approaches—whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or another celebration—I find myself reflecting on the passage of time in a way that only this time of year can inspire. The crisp air, the twinkling lights, the familiar songs—all of it naturally prompts introspection. It’s a season that encourages me to take stock of where I’ve been, where I am now, and where I’m headed. And if I’m being honest, there’s been a lot of change. Watching my children grow up, welcoming grandchildren into the world, adjusting to shifting roles within our family, and feeling the bittersweet ache of missing loved ones who are no longer with us—these moments remind me that change is both inevitable and, at times, uncomfortable, but always present.

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The Way Autumn Should Feel

As the leaves begin to fall and the morning air turns crisp, a symphony of seasonal aromas wafts through the air, filling the shops with the scents of candles and potpourri. This is my favorite time of year.

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Positive Affirmations

Reading inspirational quotes, movies, biographies, self-help books on various topics, and spiritual readings are just some ways I gain new perspectives, reflect, get back or stay in a positive mindset.

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Professional Assessment

Have you ever done a professional/personal assessment? I did one recently, and it read me like a book. I appreciated reading it from the perspective of someone seeing me in my professional element. It also helped me to identify areas in need of improvement. It provided me with the benefit of seeking out opportunities to strengthen those skills. (Note: The link I provided is not the test I took but figured I would share where you can start your research for completing one.)

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Life Learner

Do you consider yourself a Life Learner? I have always claimed to be. Whether it's choosing one of the many books on my bookshelf, seeking an online course, joining groups with shared interests, the learning opportunities are never-ending.  

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Write It Out!

I recently started journaling again. I once devoted time in my days to write. I found it therapeutic and reflective. I wondered to myself why I let it fall off. Over the last week, I've done a journal entry each day. I found it helpful in tuning into what I am feeling. It helps me to address those matters that often on my mind. I used my journal to set my S.M.A.R.T. goals for my personal and professional life.

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Self-Care

The topic of self-care has come up so many times recently. I have come across articles and blogs. I have read the topic in books. Self-care has come up in conversations. Although I have been mindful of self-care, I realized that I do not practice it enough. So, I started a list to add to my self-care practices. Some of those include:

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