Inspiration

When you think of being creative do you start to feel a little freer? Or do you quickly freeze up with frustration or self-doubt? I would like to help you to loosen up with a few practical ideas from people who know a few things about what creativity really is…

When I first heard the word mindset in my daughter’s elementary classroom, the teacher explained that teaching children how to have a growth mindset makes them open to learning and growing. Over the years, I had heard the term many times…

I have a deeply rooted love affair with fall. Even as a little girl, I sensed something magical about the season. Jumping into raked piles of leaves in our yard was a favorite activity. On Halloween, my best friend and I trick-or-treated door to door…

Before television was widely available, few people understood the Deaf, often referring to them as “deaf and dumb” regardless of whether they spoke. In fact, the Margate School for the Deaf and Dumb was eventually renamed to remove the word “dumb….

When Daniel Goleman published the book Emotional Intelligence in 1995, he sparked much public discussion about what “intelligence” really is. Until Goleman’s book came along, people generally used that word to mean brain power…

As a child, did you know what you wanted to be when you grew up? Did you aspire to be a teacher, doctor, musician or something else? When I was six, I wanted to be an actress. Your desires of long ago are clues to your innate talents…

Each year in September, I honor those who have died by suicide. Unfortunately, in my six decades of living, I have to report that I now know seven individuals who have taken their lives. They’re unrelated to each other, but all tragic…

As summer turns to fall, many of us are reminded of our youth, when September meant going back to classes and setting goals for the new school year. Even though our classroom days are mostly in the past, developing…

We make decisions all our lives and, indeed, every day. Most of these are straight-forward and don’t require a lot of thought. What shall I have for lunch? Shall I read a book or watch the TV this evening? Should I phone up my daughter for a chat?

So it’s Autumn, season of mists and something somethings, as the poet says. (No, he doesn’t but that’s the best I can do). It is therefore time for this creaky post 60 writer to think about drawing up my list of new year resolutions…