Finding Happiness

Smiling contributes significantly to your happiness, health and longevity, so the research tells us.

Yeah, right, I’m thinking, when my dance teacher commands us to “Smile!” even as I am contorting my body into a completely unnatural position. If this choreography doesn’t kill me first – sure, I’ll smile! Read More

Mindfulness is front page news. A recent TIME Magazine cover announced “The Mindful Revolution: the Science of Finding Focus in a Stressed-out, Multitasking Culture…”

I had the chance to visit the original Starbucks on Pike Place in Seattle. It looks nothing like the chain I have come to rely upon. Yet the formula is the same. My drip coffee is filled to the brim. I have to pour out coffee to make “room.” (Yes, I’m one of those – a little coffee in my cream, please.) Read More

The past five years have been tough ones. My husband and I each lost a parent. We had three dogs die. I had two back surgeries and a neck surgery (one each year for three years in a row!) My dream job turned out to not be so dreamy. Believe it or not, this is not how we had it all planned! Read More

One of my favorite TV ads these days is of two ladies, grey and white haired respectively, who walk into Walgreen’s and purchase a variety of sunscreen ointments. Read More

In 2002, my husband asked me to meet him for lunch. It wasn’t our custom to meet for lunch and especially not at a nice restaurant. I should have known he was up to something! Read More

I have a good life – a great life, really. I experience the normal ups and downs, but in general, I am happy and healthy. My husband and I have had some great changes in our lives lately, and even my family and friends seem to be in good places. Thank goodness! Read More

Do you say “yes” to every invitation? Do you find yourself stressed and then realizing that you created that stress by over-scheduling yourself?

My type-A personality tends to cringe at the idea of unscheduled time. Even in my mid-60’s I am still very goal oriented. Read More

I come from a long line of busy people. Both my parents worked extremely hard to provide for our family. The first 40 years of my life I embraced their hard work ethic, but after my father’s untimely death in 1995, I took the decision to leave my busy natural medicines practice in Scotland behind and move to the home of my ancestors in Donegal, Ireland. I have never regretted this decision. Read More

Saying daily positive affirmations, out loud, is a very effective way to live on purpose. Having true, positive statements you say about and to yourself is rewarding, energizing and focusing, and can change the way you think. Read More