Category Archives: personal reflections

The art of saying no

Posted on March 5, 2012 by stillalife

Last week I had three chances to say no and I didn’t take any of them. Most of the requests for my time have to do with writing articles or doing publicity. The first one came from a women’s group at … Continue reading →

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Enjoy friends and life while you can

Posted on January 24, 2012 by stillalife

This has been a week of bad news. One friend reported that her brother had a massive stroke, will need long-term intensive care and no longer recognizes members of his family. The son of another friend sent an announcement that … Continue reading →

Posted in friends and family, personal reflections | Tagged | 4 Comments

The silence of snow

Posted on January 18, 2012 by stillalife

“The Joy of Quiet,” an article by Pico Iyer in the New York Times cites a growing trend of setting aside time to escape from telephones, email, newspapers, Facebook and other distractions. Mr. Iyer says he retreats to a monastery several … Continue reading →

Posted in humor, personal reflections, seasons | Tagged | 1 Comment

The callback

Posted on January 10, 2012 by stillalife

Yesterday, a friend and I were sharing memories of the trauma of “the callback.” She received hers last December and I got mine two weeks ago. This is not the callback that thrills an actor auditioning for a part. This … Continue reading →

Posted in health, personal reflections | Tagged | 6 Comments

Skipping the resolutions in 2012

Posted on January 5, 2012 by stillalife

To resolve or not to resolve? Do New Year’s resolutions serve any purpose? Do they do any good? This week I’ve read several commentaries on this topic, which interested me because I decided not to make any resolutions this year. … Continue reading →

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The “sounds” of music

Posted on January 1, 2012 by stillalife

The temple bell stops but I still hear the sound coming out of the flowers.*Matsuo Basho Last night we ushered out 2011 and welcomed 2012 in grand style. “Sound”  tied both experiences together. Expressing gratitude for the causes and conditions … Continue reading →

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Creating a “reverse bucket list”

Posted on December 29, 2011 by stillalife

What are you leaving off your bucket list? Or better said, what do you absolutely never want to do before you die, also called a reverse bucket list?  Writer Katherine Bindley raised this question in a huffingtonpost.com article on December 21. … Continue reading →

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Making the most of 2011

Posted on December 21, 2011 by stillalife

There are ten days left in 2011.  How will you spend them?  I know someone who’s spending them in Hawaii, far from the Christmas bustle and loads of expectations at home. Others are traveling to and from family gatherings with … Continue reading →

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Comfort zones

Posted on December 20, 2011 by stillalife

Setting is important, not just for movies and novels but in all our lives. It affects our moods, sense of safety and comfort levels. We associate settings with sad and happy occasions, particular friends, and significant events, and these surroundings … Continue reading →

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I’m right, you’re wrong

Posted on December 17, 2011 by stillalife

Few experiences give us the same high level of satisfaction as winning an argument.  So says Kathryn Schultz in her book Being Wrong.  She says, “…the thrill of being right is undeniable, universal…” and “we can relish being right about … Continue reading →

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