MOST RECENT ARTICLES

A Multi-Faceted Definition of Love

By Octavia Gilmore | Published July 12, 2012 | Posted in creative writing /, faith & spirituality, family & relationships /, family /, friendships /, perspective /, relationships & dating /, self-esteem /, strength & happiness /, stress & challenges /

Love. What is love?

The four letter word that tugs at our heartstrings and makes us dance with happiness and joy. What is love? The feeling that overwhelms us and causes harsh reactions when faced with adversity. What is love? The overpowering wave of emotion which ignites a smile as warm as the rising of the summer sun. What is love?  The painful feeling of being left behind without ample notice. What is love? The fresh smell of flowers that illuminates our senses and opens our hearts to give freely. What is love? A thunderstorm of tears that cascade down our cheekbones when the end is near. What is love? It wakes us up in the morning with the strength and endurance to live another day. What is love?  The sweet caress of raindrops on our lips which entices us for more. What is love? The hope and probability we will love again. What is love? The pounding of drums within our hearts that creates a melodic rhythm. What is love? The trembling force of a volcano ready to explode. What is love? Love is giving without expectation of receiving in return. What is love?  Read more...

12 Small Changes for a Happier, Healthier Life

By Globetrotter and Journalist | Published July 12, 2012 | Posted in career /, family & relationships /, female viewpoints /, life skills /, perspective /

Life is one big classroom. I learn something new everyday and something from everyone I meet. These are guidelines that I try to incorporate into my life everyday, as difficult as it may be sometimes.  Read more...

  1. Give compliments more often, but be genuine. Being able to compliment someone else will not only put a smile on someone else’s face, but it will also show how secure you are with yourself. But the key is being real, because people can see right past fake compliments.

Never Burn Bridges– You Only End Up Burning Yourself

By Connye Griffin | Published April 30, 2012 | Posted in career /, corporate life /, life skills /, professional dev /, self-esteem /, stress & challenges /, work & life /

Burning bridges is an ill-advised, final emotional act, one that will not serve any of us well. First, the satisfaction in telling off someone is brief. I can’t speak for everyone, but I have found a fair degree of self-loathing present after I have told off another. At the very least, I set a higher standard for myself–in spite of the occasional failure to meet that standard. I wish to treat others as I would like to be treated, the old Golden Rule. Whether someone deserves a sound verbal drubbing or not just doesn’t measure up to the standards I strive to meet.  Read more...

Discovering Celiac Disease: My Gluten-Free Way

By Connye Griffin | Published April 16, 2012 | Posted in children /, family & relationships /, family /, female viewpoints /, fitness & diet /, health /, life skills /, perspective /, self-esteem /, stress & challenges /

Choosing a gluten-free diet is popular right now, even among people who do not have an allergy to gluten and consequently, Celiac disease. Gwyneth Paltrow admits that she is not allergic to gluten, but has stated that she feels better eating gluten-free.  “Cupcake Wars” contestants have included owners of gluten-free bakeries, suggesting that eating gluten-free is bigger and bigger business. Even more convincing is that product labels now carry the words “gluten free” prominently, making it easier for consumers to choose wisely.  Read more...

Appreciating the Work We Do With Our Capable Hands

By Connye Griffin | Published April 3, 2012 | Posted in children /, family & relationships /, perspective /, stress & challenges /, work & life /

Whether you are a fan of the 1984 or 2010 versions of “The Karate Kid,” you surely recognize the Zen-like instruction that transforms a lost, defenseless kid into a disciplined, convicted young man. Mr. Miyagi is stern and steady while requiring the Kid to wipe wax on and off an old car or take a jacket from his shoulders and hang it correctly on a hook.  Read more...

Your Weaknesses Can Say as Much About You as Your Strengths– So Work on Them

By Sarah Clatterbuck | Published March 30, 2012 | Posted in career /, life skills /, male-dominated industries /, professional dev /, sports /, strength & happiness /, work & life /

This weekend I spent some time working on my strengths. I entered a time trial race and got 2nd place. It’s really fun at times to focus on what you are good at. But, in athletics as with life, sometimes most energy should be focused on weaknesses.

For example, I am a good, strong flat rider. But why would I go out and ride the flats all the time? All that is going to do is reinforce what I am already good at. There are two things that are my weaknesses in riding – leg speed and hills. Therefore, I should spend as much of my riding time as possible working on both those things.  Read more...

Fashion, Attitude, and Confidence: What You Wear Says a Lot About You

By Tamara Leigh | Published March 28, 2012 | Posted in female viewpoints /, life skills /, perspective /, self-esteem /, style /

Long before I became a Style Consultant for J.Hilburn, Custom Luxury Menswear, I’ve been asked fashion advice or have often receive compliments on my outfits when I’m out and about  (which actually is a bit humorous because I’m very resourceful when it comes to clothing).  I’ve always loved clothes and style as an artistic expression and outlet for creative energy.  There are more knowledgeable and professional fashionistas than I, but I’m usually confident that when I put a “look” together, I wear it well.  Read more...

What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger, In Our Every Day Lives

By Connye Griffin | Published March 26, 2012 | Posted in activism /, career /, female viewpoints /, life skills /, perspective /, self-esteem /, strength & happiness /, stress & challenges /, work & life /

Who doesn’t love the latest Girl-Power anthem, performed with great energy and passion by Kelly Clarkson who belts out: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger?”

Every time I hear it, I want to press the accelerator a little harder, go a little faster, bounce in my seat, and sing out loud. If I’m at home, I simply must move, dance, and celebrate being strong, a survivor.  Read more...

5 Things I’m Looking For in a Mate (After Getting to Know Myself First)

By Globetrotter and Journalist | Published March 25, 2012 | Posted in family & relationships /, female viewpoints /, marriage & partnerships /, perspective /, relationships & dating /

My boyfriend of 3 years paid me a wonderful compliment the other day. He told me that he has always appreciated my level of self-awareness. He said the fact that I know what I can offer another person and what exactly I want from a partner has pushed him to do some introspection himself and prioritize the traits that he deems important.  Read more...

It’s Who You Know: 4 Tips On How to Network Your Way Into A Powerful Career

By Globetrotter and Journalist | Published March 23, 2012 | Posted in career /, female viewpoints /, freelancing /, life skills /, perspective /, professional dev /, work & life /

I currently work as a journalist and the Director of Marketing & Communications for a luxury travel and lifestyle magazine called Travel Time. I got involved with the magazine because of one reason: contacts.

The magazine is based in Santiago, Chile, so there is no way I would have heard of it or had the opportunity to work with such a revolutionary publication if it wasn’t for networking. A Chilean friend of mine, AZ, whom I had met in India while we were both working for the same company, was serving as the Editor-in-Chief at the time when she asked me to write an article about Uganda, after I had returned from my trip.  Read more...