At various times in my life, I have encountered people who tell me they are not allowed to show feelings, they don’t know how to show feelings or they believe they can’t show their feelings, particularly when it comes to love.  Maybe when it comes to love, the issue is not simply based on feeling, but on how one defines love.  One can show love in every aspect of life.  Love can be tough love, gentle love, endearing love, romantic love, caring love, protective love, etc.  It can also be shown by simply being alert and aware of…

I definitely have love in my heart for all, but I work at loving equally, without reservation.  Loving everyone, family, friends, and strangers alike, is something that I continually strive to attain.  All we need… is a decision to love.  “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”  Nelson Mandela Having compassion towards others, displaying acts of kindness…

My daughter asked me recently if I failed often as a child. My immediate answer was, “Repeatedly, and I continue to face failure regularly as an adult.”   I have never given much thought to failure because to me it is a stepping stone to my next success.  In fact, I rarely think in terms of failure.  I tend to quickly analyze my mistakes or misfortune and continue trying to reach my goal.  When there are no more opportunities to meet the goal, I rework my goal.  I don’t spend time worrying about my failures, however, I do learn from…

The use of humor in my everyday life has proven invaluable.  Humor helps me keep things in perspective, it helps me move through tough situations, and it relieves unnecessary stress. One has to know me very well or pay close attention to recognize my sense of humor.  My brother, on the other hand, is blessed with a sense of humor that people gravitate toward and enjoy being around.  I always was grateful that he was able to take the attention off me and captivate the crowd with his quick wit.  That does not mean that he always uses his sense…