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A bikini and a swimming pool: A lesson in body image

Byizoldast

(This might offend some, but it’s what I’m thinking about so consider yourselves warned.)  I’m too much a product of my upbringing. And that saddens me. But, I’m so proud of the people in front of me, and that makes me weep joyful tears. I’m hanging out by the pool, and we are in “The…

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Read like a writer? Not when you're a judge

Byizoldast

Here’s something that’s making me go, “hmmm.” I am a judge in a writing contest. Yesterday, I finally had time to read through the entries and send in my evaluations. The process of judging catalyzed me into a realization I hadn’t foreseen. I spent the better part of all my education years doing some form…

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Productivity Tuesday: Contracts are a process

Byizoldast

Here’s a bit of advice. Read every contract you are about to sign. Read it, understand it, and agree with it. Or don’t sign. If you don’t understand, talk to a lawyer. It will save you aggravation and potential heartache in the long-run. When you review a contract someone wants you to sign, you must…

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Productivity Tuesday: Feel Free to Forgive Yourself

Byizoldast

Sometimes, despite our best efforts to be productive and to complete projects on time, we get overwhelmed. Too many deadlines loom. Too many to-do items beckon. Too much has to be done right this instant.I just had this happen yesterday. I returned from a weekend away to a mountain of projects that ballooned into emergencies…

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Aladdin on Broadway – Review

Byizoldast

I try to review at least one show, movie, or tv show a week on Review Mondays. Here is this week’s review of Aladdin on Broadway. Aladdin on Broadway, New York, NY  Overall, the production was tons of fun. It was lavish, outlandish, and a treat for the eyes and ears. The sets were lovely:…

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Productivity Tuesday: Maintain Good Habits By Making It Easy On Yourself

Byizoldast

In today’s episode of Productivity Tuesday, let’s talk about habits. We all recognize that we have “good” and “bad” habits. I think many of us might agree that journaling is a good habit. Many of us might also agree that drinking until you puke every Friday and Saturday night is a bad habit (It might…

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Thoughts on July 4th

Byizoldast

My family immigrated to the USA in the early 1970s. The first place we landed was New York City. I had never seen anything like it. It was enormous, vibrant, loud, spectacular. We moved to Michigan literally the day after we arrived and settled just outside Detroit. I acclimated pretty quickly and learned English within…

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Communication Thursday: Just Exactly How Do You Inhale? (part 2 of proper breathing)

Byizoldast

In the previous post, we talked about proper posture when standing or sitting to communicate. To recap: stand with your feet hip-width apart (draw an imaginary line from your second toes, through the center of your ankles, the center of your knees and then up to the hip points [the parts that just out to…

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They all say to stop and breathe, but how exactly do we do it?

Byizoldast

Oh my goodness there are a ton of posts on mindfulness, meditation, and anxiety reduction. Almost all of them have some form of, “stop, be still, and breathe to calm yourself.” It’s great advice. And it works. The trouble is, how do you stop, be still, and breathe when you might be scared, anxious, nervous,…

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Productivity Tuesday: On the count of 5

Byizoldast

I stay busy. I work 10-14 hours almost every day. I have seven different businesses going at the same time. So, if I’m going to get anything done, I’d better be efficient and productive. I wish I could do it consistently, but like everyone, I go through periods where I just don’t want to get…