I loved reading as a child and continue to love it as an adult. Having a new book to read is like Christmas for me!

I don’t feel this invitation at all during this Covid time. We are being asked to scale back, to stay home to protect others and ourselves.

Yes.

Yes. I am dealing with a difficult coworker who tends to be very aggressive in email. Rather than trying to fight back, so to speak, today I asked her how she is doing. I am hoping to change the tenor of our relationship by “Seeking first to understand, then to be understood.” Perhaps it will positively impact both our worlds, perhaps not, but it feels better doing it.

I had the privilege of helping a refugee family from Afghanistan get settled a few years ago, and we are still friends. They helped me understand what immigrants go through in the US. Everything is a barrier.

Thoughtfulness before replying. A colleague of mine is a union leader, and he excels at listening to others before giving a thoughtful response. He never wavers in his principles, however. And his thoughtfulness brings down any tension in the room so that others seem to follow his lead. I admire him very much.

It is important to me to financially support reputable and truthful news sources. I have always been in the helping professions and it is a core value of mine to reach out and help others. Staying fit is important for my long term health and I do all I can to maintain that so as not to be a burden on others.

I have been making phone calls to all my friends just to check in during the crazy fire events up here in the Pacific NW. It seems to mean a lot to them–I will keep doing it.

It seems that as I get older, I remember more of my failings and then beat myself up over them. I have had a productive life dedicated to helping others, yet what I focus on is all the things I didn’t do and the ways that I failed others. It has become a habit, and it makes me very sad.

I live in the Pacific Northwest where we are suffering under a heavy blanket of smoke from all the wildfires. You see the best and worst of humanity during times like this. Life is precious, and it can be lost in an instant.

Food, shelter, love, and enough money to get what I need in life. I am very fortunate, I know.

I make art so it is central to my life. It is a wonder to make things that come from a different part of me–the art takes over and I am continually amazed at what comes out of my endeavors.

The evenings, especially in the summer. The day winds down, the leaves shimmer as a breeze comes up, the sun sends out long shadows across the lawn as another lovely summer day comes to an end. A time to breathe and give thanks for the day.

I would call or write every friend and family member thanking them for all they meant to me over my lifetime.

The time President and Mrs. Obama were in the White House. I was so proud to be an American.

Call a very isolated friend. So simple, but it slips my mind too often. Thanks for the question today.

Many years ago I heard the phrase, “Would you rather be right, or happy?”
Being angry at or disappointed in someone takes a lot of energy. This phrase helps me when I can’t seem to get past something someone said or did.

The beautiful day outside. My loving husband going about his daily chores. The taste of the coffee he lovingly makes me each morning. The sounds of the birds and the sight of my beautiful roses blooming. Thank you for asking this question–it is good to stop and notice these things.

Yes! I am with you, DeVonna!

This is so true, Antoinette.