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Never mistake a clear view for a short distance

In times of turmoil, it is even more important that we do not make this simple mistake.

I recently came across a great quote that feels so relevant today- Never mistake a clear view for a short distance.

It applies to so many things. I think the va…st majority of us KNOW that love, tolerance, compassion, and equality are our destination. Our view is clear and YET, sometimes, we might wonder, when the smoke or haze of some heart-rending injustice or horrific attack obscures that…

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Post the photos

The time has come for us look truth in the eye. Post the photos.

Another day, another horrific shooting. 14 dead. Or is it more? Wait another day, we’ll have a new stat. The news cycle goes into overdrive. How does the adage go- If it bleeds, it leads. Both sides move to their respective corners. (Some) gun “rights” activists stock up on ammo and ludicrously, get MORE guns. The majority of the country- those who support sensible gun control search for a weapon…

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#postthephotos #gun control #NRA #san bernadino #Sandy Hook

The heart of Paris

I woke up early today thinking about the terrible events in Paris- thinking about both the terror and grief, but also the remarkable courage of the Parisians that took to the street and bravely held signs saying, “Not Afraid.” The heart of Paris will not be cleaved in two by this event nor any other.

I love Paris, though I have only had the good fortune to visit a few times. It is a city of…

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#equality #fraternity #isil #liberty #paris #terror

Parents: Read this post and we can all save $1,000 a year

My parental friends, can we please participate in a little collusion? A little organized action. I mean, we aren’t unionized, so “big birthday” can’t come after us, right? Although I have a healthy fear of clowns (thanks to Stephen King), I feel safe enough taking them on. And I know, deep down, you want to too.

Here’s what I’m talking about- yearly birthday parties. Every. Damn. Year. It’s too…

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#birthday #kids #stop the madness

What to read on Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a terrific day to add a book about war to your reading list. I have a few suggestions. What to read on Memorial Day

I am not above admitting that I love a good barbecue on Memorial Day and for most Americans it signals the start of summer. There is something quintessentially American about gathering in the backyard or at a park, along with six-tons of picnic and barbecue equipment, food to feed 10x the number of people expected- no matter if it’s six or sixty, a combination that almost guarantees cleanup may…

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#1776 #All the Light We Cannot See #Anthony Doerr #David McCullough #denise kiernan #Erick Larson #Memorial Day #soldier #the girls of atomic city #WWI #WWII

Could the Apple Watch Have Saved David Goldberg?

I was hit hard by the death of Sheryl Sandburg’s husband, David Goldberg- which may seem strange, given that I don’t know either of them, but I have admired Sheryl as a woman, mother, and business person, and I have followed her writings and talks with interest ever since reading Lean In. When the details emerged about the incredibly tragic and freakish nature of the accident that killed her…

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#apple watch #david goldberg #emergency response #lean in #road id #sheryl sandberg #silicon valley #tragedy

Discovering The Book of Knowledge

There is no thrill like that of finding a window into the past and no better way to do it than through the a set of books designed to introduce children to their world. Discovering The Book of Knowledge

Earlier this week, I made a discovery that caused the bibliophile inside me to lose her ever-loving mind. While killing 5 minutes (seriously, I was in and out in under 5 minutes) in Half Price Books, I made a magical find- a complete set of The Book of Knowledge from 1919. I know, right?! You are pumping your fist in the air right now. It’s. THAT. exciting. Try not to hyperventilate.

This…

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#1919 #childrens encyclopedia #discovery #door to door #rare books #the book of knowledge #used books #vintage books #wonder

High heels. Love 'em or loathe 'em, you can't ignore them.

Cinderella recognized the appeal of a well-turned heel, but have we taken it too far? High heels. Love 'em or loathe 'em, you can't ignore them.

Great organization. Great event. But does the shoe fit?

The other day, I received an email for a women’s event that prominently featured a high heel shoe in its design. The mailing was for an event organized by The Center for Women & Democracy(a great organization) honoring top women in business. The ad featured an exaggerated high heel- a really sky high ankle-breaker. It struck me as an odd…

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#cinderella #domination #empowerment #foot binding #gender #high heels #identity #pac man #power up #professional #sex appeal #sexy #woman #women

Turning 40 is a Big Pile of Poop

There are some ugly realizations that hit at 40. I'm never going to be Tina Fey, or Nicholas Kristof, or even that guy that draws The Oatmeal. Fame & fortune probably aren't in the cards. Turns out, turning 40 is a Big Pile of Poop

If you’d like to read the happy side of approaching 40, read my earlier blog, or read this currently popular NYT piece. But this post isn’t like those. Let’s get all the hard truth out of the way: I am incredibly grateful for the wonderful life I’ve had so far- wonderful husband and truly my best friend, amazing kids, great job, great career, great standard of living, great dog, I’m in great…

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#birthday #disappointment #failure #feeling worthy #forty #mid life crisis #nicholas kristof #The Oatmeal #Tina Fey

What's wrong with this picture? HONY and the man from Detroit

As good as it feels to be generous when we want to, when we feel someone “deserves” it- it is vital that we do not feel that this is enough. What's Wrong With This Picture? HONY and the man from Detroit

Nothing but love for this story. Vidal, his principal Ms. Lopez, and the President.

Let me begin by saying that I ADORE the Humans of New York (aka HONY) blog and Facebook page. You should definitely check them out. I love the recent story about the young boy at the Brooklyn school who praised his principal, which set up a snowball effect of raising gobs of money for the school and a meeting…

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#charity #detroit #gofundme #HONY #inequality #marionettes #Mott Hall Bridges Academy #Poverty #robert peace

Flirting with Disaster

Ignorance fuels fear, intolerance, and violence. The primeval part of our brain rejoices when it can be so heavily utilized- for when ignorance reigns, it is in constant use. Why are humans so drawn toward disaster? READ: Flirting with Disaster

Anti-vaxxers. Climate change denial. GMO-crusaders. Anti-intellectualism. Widening income inequality. Open-carry activism. Religious extremism. Extremism in all forms, full stop. All of these movements have a common thread that profoundly puzzles me.

Flirting with Disaster. Our brains make us do it. And this? Nope. Nope. Nope.

What could possibly unite these disparate notions, you wonder? I’ll…

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#alien invasion #anti-vax #climate change #curiosity #discovery #epidemic #extremism #gmo #godzilla #history #ignornance #income inequality #knowledge #open carry #plague

Facebook: The Greatest Force for Good Since the Printing Press

A recent Forbes articlesaid that new research is showing that Facebook is “dead and buried” to teens. You know what? Good. Great! I couldn’t be happier to hear it. The same way I don’t want a lot of teens in my favorite restaurant when I’m lucky enough to be out for a date night or attending a movie (which is why we now see movies only at iPic- a 21+ movie theater), I don’t want them cluttering…

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#facebook #forbes #instagram #iPic #love #snapchat #twitter

Everyone has a right to their opinion, right?

Somehow freedom of speech has gotten confused with equal "airtime" for all views but that's wrong. READ: Everyone has a right to their opinion, right?

Recently, I came across an article on Facebook from a conservative leaning website about the case of a florist in Washington state who had been sued (and lost) because she refused to provide flowers for a gay couple’s wedding. Nothing like taking a bold stance against someone else’s happiness. The article was bemoaning this miscarriage of justice and I began to mentally file it in my “circular…

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#black #civil rights #constitution #ellen degeneres #equal rights #equality #founding fathers #gay #hazel bryan #human rights #jenny mccarthy #john oliver #john stewart #justice #lesbian #maya angelou #stephen colbert

Handle With Care: Contents Fragile

Parents like to think we have a fully stocked toolbox. What happens when we don't? Get a new tool. Handle With Care: Contents Fragile

Fragile does not always mean weak. It means precious too and worth handling gently.

This post began as a book recommendation, but there’s a story before you get there. I want to set up the scene because it’s crucial to have a feeling for the watershed moment that preceded me searching and finding this particular book. The realization that I needed a new playbook was almost as important as the…

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#book #explosive child #parenting #ross greene #tantrums #toolbox

Everything Tech Companies Should Know About Productivity Can Be Learned From Watching Mad Men

As if you needed another reason to watch (or re-watch) Mad Men. I present: Everything Tech Companies Need to Know about Productivity Can Be Learned From Watching Mad Men.

The fundamentals of productivity haven’t changed in 50 years.

A couple years back, while binge watching Mad Men, I had a jarring realization- they were a bunch of drunks! No. Well, yes, but that’s for another blog post. The real light-bulb went on when I realized that nothing has changed at the office in 50 years. Longer even! It’s all the same fundamental actions, repeated day after day, year…

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#autobahn #create #decide #discuss #Don Draper #excel #facebook #google #Hamlet #Kaizen #mad men #microsoft #office #outlook #powerpoint #productivity #Shakespeare #share #swype #twitter #word

A Missed Opportunity

Let 2015 be the year when you do not hesitate to reach out a hand to help another. Start small. Let's see what we can do!

Let’s lend a hand this year. Look for the small moments to help.

I have a challenge for you in 2015. And don’t worry, I’m not going to ask you to do anything I wouldn’t do. In fact, it’s really a challenge for me that I want to sharewith you. I want you to seek out opportunities to help others. Whether it is as small as holding the elevator door for someone at the office or as big as approaching…

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#act of kindness #challenge #help #Kindness

Make It So: Estate Planning Is Your Ship to Captain

It may not seem like it, but I promise- nothing will make you feel as empowered as drawing up your estate planning documents. Read my blog- Make It So: Estate Planning Is Your Ship to Captain

Recently, my husband and I did something we’d never done in fifteen years of marriage. It was a little scary, a little awkward, but in the end, incredibly satisfying. That’s right- we worked with an attorney to have our estate documents drawn up.

Nothing makes you feel quite as empowered as setting the course for your estate. Captain Picard agrees.

It’s true, I felt a little like Jean-Luc Picard…

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#attorney #death #estate documents #estate planning #executor #Family #guardianship #last will and testament #living will #power of attorney #taxes #trust #Washington state

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