This Teaching Moment Is Presented By . . ....

Oct 10, 2011 by

“Tough week for me. 3 presentations = no sleep, much stress. I hate presentations. Got through it though. Very comfortable in many other settings (negotiations, etc). But I realized something. I need to do more presentations!” Marc Walters Around three weeks ago, my husband experienced a malevolent possession of sorts. For nearly a week, instead of his typically calm, cool, and collected self, he was agitated, insecure, and preoccupied to the point of sleeplessness. Given the lack of other distractions in our home, like say . . . children, I was very much caught in the web of madness woven by this stranger who called himself my husband. Marc’s agitation became mine. His insecurity called to mine. His nights spent in worry and not sleep left me also surfing the net at ungodly hours...

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Slight Adjustments

Sep 18, 2011 by

Today is the second day that in doing ordinary movements, like unloading the dishwasher, my muscles ache in protest as they decide if they will cooperate with me in placing the coffee mugs on the shelf above. They complain even louder walking steps or washing hair. The rebellion happening within my body is the result of practicing yoga two days ago after a too-many-days to count hiatus from the meditation that I love so much. Though I’m not a beginner, I took the beginner’s class thinking I’d ease my way back, like dipping a toe into a pool rather than taking the head-first plunge. In a class of about 12, I found my way in the back of the studio, away from the instructor, and planned to blend in, feel my way back to...

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Growing in the Shadows

Sep 14, 2011 by

Yesterday the Internet was ablaze with the video of a young woman singing her rendition of Adele’s “Someone Like You.” The video wasn’t linked everywhere because the young lady is such an exceptional singer. In fact, in my opinion, her singing is average at best. It was so popular because of who this young woman is, or more importantly, who her parents are. Meet Bobbi Kristina, daughter of American music icon Whitney Houston and one of the princes (with a little “p”) of yesterday’s soul pop, Bobby Brown. No pressure there, Bobbi Kristina . . . no pressure. In sharing her video singing debut with the world, little Bobbi Kristina has opened herself up to the inevitable comparisons to her mother, arguably one of the best voices in recorded history. And, not only that,...

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Those Who Know The Way

Sep 11, 2011 by

I had the rare treat of speaking with Grandma over the phone this morning. It’s rare because here recently she’s been neglecting to answer the phone when people call. In her weakened state, it’s difficult for her to get to a ringing phone in time, or she forgets where she’s placed it, or she’s simply in an “I’m old and grouchy” funk and doesn’t feel much like talking. So, today, when I heard her feeble yet frantic voice squeak out a hello, I was delightedly surprised. Today’s conversation went like many, previous others, with me shouting loudly into the phone standard questions like “How are you, Grandma?” “What did you eat for breakfast?” “Have you talked to anyone?” And with her 92-year-old, shaky voice she answered, as before, with the same rote responses. “I’m...

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