Get Inspired
Authentic Conversations of Guts, Grit, and Gusto
Get Inspired
Authentic Conversations of Guts, Grit, and Gusto
Tackling Trauma and Adversity
As a Holocaust survivor, I understand what trauma is and how to cherish the moment I’m in and enjoy it, in spite of it and because of it. As a young girl, I spent four years in a Nazi holding camp during WWII. I saw starvation, cruelty, disease and death daily. As a result I learned to be detached, but more importantly, I learned to believe in myself, to see what I had, not what I didn’t have. While everyone experiences loss, sadness, disappointment, it’s how we respond to those events that matters. I made the decision at an early age not to become a victim. I adopted a mindset of gratitude in the face of adversity. I learned to make decisions in the present and live life with no regrets. When we surround ourselves with positive people and focus on what’s good in our lives, we lessen the impact of trauma and adversity. In this way, we learn to take charge of our destiny and live the life we want to live. You can do it!
Work-Life Balance
Many of us live harried, “always-on” lives as we juggle multiple roles and responsibilities. It’s reminiscent of the expression, “I’m running as fast as I can.” When we’re so busy trying to fit everything in, often we forget to stop and smell the roses. In the process, we tend to overlook and postpone what’s really important. Remember, living a full life means we need to plan family time—time to engage, create traditions and memories as well as share fun adventures. If we wait until “someday,” that day may never come. That’s why it’s important to be mindful of today. Participate in all life has to offer daily. Stay in the moment. Make the choices that will enable you to live the life you want with no regrets. You can do it!
Disrupt Aging
It’s time to break the mold and disrupt the traditional concept of the aging process and model. Spend time in front of the mirror. Fall in love with yourself all over again, but not in a narcissistic way. Join the ranks of the those who want to live long and well, otherwise known as the “chronologically gifted.” These are individuals who have a healthy sense of self-love—one that makes them feel confident in their own skin—wrinkles and all.
Adopt a new perspective. Consider the mantra: “I’m not just getting older; I’m getting wiser.” Let the features that reveal age be the ones that are reminiscent of the wisdom and maturity collected throughout a life time. Admire, appreciate and like the person looking back at you in the mirror because that’s the person who still has a lot to offer the world.
Remember, everyone gets older, so aging is not an option. But how people age is a choice. People have far more power over how they age than society conditions them to believe. Anyone can become chronologically gifted. Just decide you don’t just want to live longer, you want to live better—beginning right here, right now. This is what we call disrupt aging.
Take comfort in knowing that everything you do from this point on takes you one step closer to living the kind of mindful, joyful, seize-the-day life you were designed to enjoy. Let that belief become a springboard for deeper engagement with the life inside of you—the timeless part of you that is desperate to express itself, despite the best efforts of an age-fearing culture to suppress it. You can do it!
Life-long Learning
While there’s no “magical” way to halt or reverse the aging process, there are ways to embrace it. Start by admitting that you’re getting older. Stop fighting it. Own it. Love it. Adopt a positive attitude. The world is going to move forward with or without you. Where some people get hung up is with the misconception that as they age, they have to fit in with the younger generation. This simply isn’t true. A more helpful attitude is, “I may not be young anymore, but I’m still capable of growing and I will continue my process of evolving until the end of my life.” Each time an individual acquires a piece of knowledge or improves upon a skill that helps them deepen their relationships, appreciate their past and current experiences, and leave a more robust legacy, that’s a change that matters.
The Art of Negotiation
While there’s no “magical” way to halt or reverse the aging process, there are ways to embrace it. Start by admitting that you’re getting older. Stop fighting it. Own it. Love it. Adopt a positive attitude. The world is going to move forward with or without you. Where some people get hung up is with the misconception that as they age, they have to fit in with the younger generation. This simply isn’t true. A more helpful attitude is, “I may not be young anymore, but I’m still capable of growing and I will continue my process of evolving until the end of my life.” Each time an individual acquires a piece of knowledge or improves upon a skill that helps them deepen their relationships, appreciate their past and current experiences, and leave a more robust legacy, that’s a change that matters.
The Role of Attitude on the Aging Process
While there’s no “magical” way to halt or reverse the aging process, there are ways to embrace it. Start by admitting that you’re getting older. Stop fighting it. Own it. Love it. Adopt a positive attitude. The world is going to move forward with or without you. Where some people get hung up is with the misconception that as they age, they have to fit in with the younger generation. This simply isn’t true. A more helpful attitude is, “I may not be young anymore, but I’m still capable of growing and I will continue my process of evolving until the end of my life.” Each time an individual acquires a piece of knowledge or improves upon a skill that helps them deepen their relationships, appreciate their past and current experiences, and leave a more robust legacy, that’s a change that matters.
Celebrate World Kindness Day: The Power of Kindness
Kindness is considered to be an essential and integral part in the quest of Tikkun Olam (repair the world). Performing acts of kindness, in other words, the mindful practice of engaging in positive affirming behavior with another, friend or stranger, has a powerful rewarding impact in your life and those around you. Kindness is expressed in many different ways—a smile, a kind word, landing a hand to someone in need, empowering the voiceless. All make a difference in the world around us and contribute to our personal ‘natural high’—a gift that keeps on giving in pursuit of Tikkun Olam.
Don’t Let Feeling Blue Get You Down
Everyone experiences sadness, grief and disappointment in life. It’s part of the human condition. When we let those feelings overcome us, it impacts the quality of our relationships and our enjoyment of life. Fortunately, there are ways to move past it. Here’s how:
1. Focus on possibilities. It’s what you can do that matters.
2. Adopt a positive attitude. Let go of grief, anger, resentment and anxiety.
3. Get moving and stay fueled. The little difference can have a big impact.
4. Volunteer and give-back to society. Giving is always more powerful and lasting than receiving.
5. Become an active member of a community. Whether it’s a spiritual, religious, or special interest group, connections matter and have a positive impact on your state of mind.
6. Meditate. It can help you find peace of mind, reduce tension and let go of stress.
7. Stay in the moment. Let go of the past. Don’t worry about the future.
8. Recognize there is no such thing as failure. One door closes, another opens.
9. Face the elephant in the room. Address what’s gnawing at you.
10. Practice gratitude. Not only does it improve your physical and emotional well-being, it increases your energy and makes you feel more connected to others.
The Elephant in the Room
Not infrequently, everyone, whether in personal or business situations, finds themselves facing potentially uncomfortable and untenable situations with peers, supervisors, subordinates, family, and friends. When the tendency is to avoid dealing with them, it’s commonly referred to as the “elephant in the room.” It means there is an obvious, obstacle, or challenge or that people are uncomfortable addressing. In many situations—personal or professional—the ‘elephant’ characterizes a pesky pachyderm that most of us cannot afford to disregard. Why? Because it:
• Distracts us from productive, creative work
• Delays our ability to move forward
• Drains our energy
• Damages the morale of everyone around us, ourselves included
• Doesn’t clean up after itself.
Avoidance in dealing with the elephant can prevent us from achieving the growth and success we strive to attain. Take a look around. Is there an elephant you need to address? Doing it sooner than later restores peace and tranquility to your life.
A Day in the Life
A “day in the life” snapshot of the airport hustle and bustle! Traveling vagabond FOREVER
# longevity
Life span and health span are not the same. Living longer doesn’t necessarily mean enjoying life more. Living with guts, grit, and gusto does!
Skydiving in New Zealand at age 84 last year!
Tikkun Olam “Repair the World”
Attended an annual Interfaith gathering held by @DublinCityInterfaithForum and got a henna tattoo!
All denominations were there to spread a similar message of faith, spirituality, and hope through participation in the universal calling of TIKKUN OLAM — Repair the World.
In The Face of Trauma
In the face of trauma—any trauma—degradation, hurt and suffering,
never give up. Live with guts, grit and gusto.
Your Life Purpose
People who have identified their life’s purpose live longer than those who don’t.
Living Longer and Personal Growth
Discover the connection between living longer and personal growth in the process of ever evolving.
Life Takes Guts, Grit and Gusto
Serving in the Israeli Air Force was not for the faint of heart. Between boot camp, border patrol, and the constant threat of danger, I was terrified, but I never flinched from duty. To this day, as in the past, I don’t allow fear to rule me. I’m counter-phobic. I take deep breaths and do what has to be done. On the other hand, I won’t invite danger. I don’t need to experience everything. Life is too precious to take unnecessary risks.
Message To My Mother
Message to my mother: Don’t tell me I can’t do it. Don’t tell me that because I’m a girl, I cannot climb trees and play sports like the boys. Don’t tell me because I’m a woman I cannot have it all—a husband, children and a thriving career. Don’t tell me to reign in my adventurous nature because I’m a woman. Just be proud of me, Mama. I followed my dreams and accomplished it all.
Life is a Chain of Marathons
Life is a chain of marathons you’re determined to run for the joy of finishing.
Selfishness: Good or Bad?
In the pursuit of passion, some people encounter a tug-of-war between being selfish and selfless. What I’ve discovered is that before you can take care of others, you need to be able to take care of yourself. It’s like the flight attendants on airplanes say, “If the oxygen masks drop down, put yours on and then help your children.” Remember, everybody matters. So do you. Life takes guts, grit and gusto.
What Pushes Your Buttons?
When people tell you that you can’t do something, how do you react? Do you react with anger? Are you immobilized? Are you indignant? Do you give it thought and consider options? Does a “no” response just make you more determined? People react differently when others do things that affect them in a negative way—whether through criticism, discouragement, opposition, warning or dissuasion. What I’ve learned is to stand back and evaluate the situation before reacting. While you may be upset, think about what’s important to you. Then take control of your life by exercising personal responsibility in the pursuit of worthy goals. By planning the steps, you need to take, maintaining a positive attitude and having fun, you can accomplish your life’s dreams. While you might experience chaos, uncertainty and setbacks along the way, remember, you are constantly changing in the never-ending process of evolving. How can you change your response to people who push your buttons?