NO SHOES ALLOWED
No shoes allowed! Ever noticed those signs? You are about to walk into a place but due to sanitary concerns, you have to leave your footwear behind. Usually, a temporary boot or sandal is available to protect your feet. Footwear has evolved over the years. From the sandals made from a rope to sneakers (so you don’t hear people sneak up on you) to wedges and heels, footgear have quite a history. They used to look like this. Ancient civilization making a mark. Shoes… keep us comfortable protect from injury keep us fashionable Now they look like this.We make a statement with shoes. Why footwear? Well, I do love them! I am also intrigued by how they have evolved. Witness an incredible journey!They were not always elegant and pretty in the way we perceive elegance and beauty today. Makes me think indeed many big things, start small. Like fine wine,…
HOW THESE 3 HABITS REVEAL PERSONALITY?
Some people enter a room and moments later, it feels like all the air disappeared. Others light up the room with their presence. You wish to see them again. Vastly different dispositions are revealed in the way people conduct themselves. Indeed, we are creatures of habit. I share three habits that quickly reveal a person’s personality. SOCIAL MEDIA REVEALS PERSONALITY Laura posts selfies quite frequently on social media. She shares what she eats and many other activities daily. These habits reveal a personality that is attention-seeking and self-obsessed. She may be cheered or shunned for her habits. I guess that depends on who is looking. PERSONALITY AND THE WAY WE TREAT OTHERS Dora says sorry, please and thank you. Her habits reveal a caring nature. People easily become comfortable around her. Her personality is endearing. Experts assert that people with her disposition are more likely to be givers than takers.…
NIGHT OF BROKEN GLASS
The “Night of Broken Glass” is a translation from “Kristallnacht” to capture the night Nazi officials ransacked Jewish homes, synagogues and businesses. Shards of glass from broken windows littered the streets. Bruce Henderson, is author of Sons and Soldiers. He narrates the experiences of German Jews, especially the Ritchie Boys for whom World War 2 was personal. It hurt to read that a number of people felt that Hitler’s regime would not last two weeks. Clearly, they missed the signs and his significant proclamation “give me ten years and you won’t recognize Germany.” Sons and Soldiers is brilliantly-written and inspiring. I feel lucky to have read it. “The raven-haired woman” in my poem below, represents all who go to great lengths to seek out and publish the truth. They make it possible for us to understand and hopefully, learn from history. This poem is a salute to their bravery. Leadership…
Easily Make An Impression And Stand Out: Short Stories
To easily make an impression and stand out can be learned. It is not much fun to be just another writer, farmer, lifeguard, doctor, engineer, teacher, or chef. I’d rather keep learning and raising the bar. How about you? Now, I think of the Bible parable of talents in which three men each get talents to nurture. Two of them multiplied their talents while the third man buried his. Could he maybe have learned how to develop and put his talent to good use? Little Joe easily makes an impression and stands out in this short story. He wanted a special kind of ice cream and went to a café. He learned how much it costs and paused to make a decision. The server was impatient as the shop was filling up with clients. Finally, he got service. While clearing up after the customers, the server swallowed hard as she…
HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR IKIGAI? The Secret to a Long and Happy Life
Find your Ikigai [ee-key-guy] and live long and happy. Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles share inspiring perspectives on finding your Ikigai and living happier in their bestseller titled Ikigai; The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life. Ikigai is from the Japanese word meaning a reason to live. It is what makes you look forward to getting up in the morning because you are excited to start the day. You have found purpose and it could be more than one, but they kind of fit together. Find your ikigai and live a long and happy life. FIND YOUR IKIGAI AND LIVE LONG Finding your Ikigai requires a patient search. Garcia and Miralles affirm that we are happiest when we know what to do, know how to do it, and know how well we are doing. The happiness that comes from finding and persistently pursuing purpose keeps us alive longer.…
THE STAIRS OR THE ELEVATOR?
Walking up a flight of stairs begins with the first unwavering step to get to the desired target at the top. Life does present stairways and elevators to reach our destination and choosing one over the other is a reflection of our desires and how we nurture our goals. Using the escalator is the easier and faster route up, but is it the best option, if one is trying to achieve fitness goals for example? Taking the stairs may be the better choice to nurture the goal of keeping fit. While the speed of the escalator may be pleasurable, it is not necessarily better. A young boy complained to his father about not reaching the heights he had hoped for, despite all his effort, and so wanted to quit playing football. The father encouraged him to keep seeing the goal. Keeping the goal in focus helps us appreciate just how…