Booths featuring products and services related to employee engagement, web-based delivery, global performance, and talent management were overflowing with conference attendees as I walked the trade show at a national conference where I was speaking. Just a few years ago the magnets were initiatives like total quality management, six sigma, diversity, work-life-balance, and customer driven. Every few years there are band wagons of “solutions” for the ills troubling companies, with contingents of experts ready to sell the latest “fix” to eager herd-minded buyers. Reinforced... Read More

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” … Winston Churchill How can I be an empty nester? I am young, vibrant, and a mother of adorable children who look up at me to tie their shoes, sit them on the counter to stir the pancake batter, let them pick out their Halloween costume, sit in the auditorium with my video, as they perform in school plays, man the school fair booth, take them to the mall to get a new outfit for the party, cheer at the games, and go to parent conferences. Ok, so that has now become my past. Present... Read More

As I said last month, emergency evacuations are devastating and traumatic under any circumstances. This is especially true for the elderly – especially the elderly with pets. Last month I wrote about planning for major emergencies such as 9/11, Katrina, wild fires, floods, or tornado\’s. This month I\’m going to cover a far more likely scenario – a personal emergency such as a medical emergency wherein your elderly loved one needs someone to take care of their pet for the short or long term. We\’ve all heard of stories about an elderly person who won\’t leave their... Read More

August is a month reserved for traveling by many people. With the price of gas as high as it is, some may be doing away with road trips, and opting to travel to faraway places by boat, train, or airplane. I want to give you some tips for a few pesky symptoms that may arise from such travel, and that do not necessarily require a prescription. But first, a few general “musts” you should know before going anywhere. General Travel “Musts” • If you are traveling out of the United States, find out about any immunizations, or treatment, you may need before you go. Some countries require you... Read More

Much of my success with membership-based businesses is also because of my ability to continuously grow in the area of “mindsets”. Here are a number of tips to help you think and create in a big way. Tip One–Honor Your Urges One of the main reasons I left the corporate world and took the entrepreneurial plunge many years ago was so I could do more of what I enjoyed and less of what I hated. It makes sense doesn\’t it? Yet, you would be surprised how many entrepreneurs don\’t do more of what they love. Make sure you take advantage of the freedom you have by setting boundaries... Read More

Author: Linda Joy Myers, Ph.Dwww.memoriesandmemoirs.com Reviewed By: Melinda Cianos I am a fan of Linda Joy Myers\’ work and was all too happy to have the chance to peruse her gentle words of wisdom; they are always delivered through such soothing prose. When we put our thoughts, our loves, our disappointments and our hopes on paper they move to claim their rightful place in our lives and we stumble into the meaning of who we are. Becoming Whole is handed to us by Myers in an attempt to bring us face to face with the pieces of our lives that weigh heavily, interrupt emotional growth, have... Read More

Author: Dot Dalywww.befitafter60.com Reviewed By: Melinda Cianos Dot Daly, a certified exercise instructor who is over the age of 60, has developed a DVD to meet the exercise needs of the mature audience. The premise that movement keeps us fit, balanced and feeling our best, is adapted for the “Baby Boomer” and beyond to ensure optimal wellness. Dot\’s fifty-minute routine comprises of Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates techniques for a relaxing yet comprehensive workout. Her choice of background music is calming; her instruction is gentle and encouraging. Strength training, flexibility and... Read More

“It\’s D-Lightful: Vitamin D Gets Its Moment in the Sun” announced the July 15th Wall Street Journal Health Journal by Melinda Beck. And the article went on to explain that, while Vitamin D is known for being crucial for strong bones, there\’s new research suggesting it also protects against a wide variety of diseases. Did this news upset me at my age? (Over age 51 the amount of D needed increases.) Not in the least – because only yesterday my new doctor had blood drawn to check my Vitamin D level. The week before, at my first visit to him, he had explained that he\’d... Read More