By Samantha McKenzie Humans are hardwired for pleasure, so it’s no mystery that when we are faced with difficult situations, we tend to feel uncomfortable. Studies show that women also tend to avoid verbal confrontations more often than men. We take our hardwiring seriously, don’t we?! Actually, women avoid having tough conversations – at home…

By Dawn Onley When did we accrue so much stuff? An even better question is why? We have become a nation who overindulges in just about everything – from food and clothes to gadgets and dishes. As Anna Quindlen marvels in her memoir “Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake,” we have become a nation that…

By Samantha McKenzie Ever get that fluttering feeling in the pit of your belly? The one that comes from an overabundance of excitement, the jitters, or those rare moments when the person you like finally notices you. My girlfriend apparently has a honing device inside of her tummy. It’s really amazing. There are times when she…

By Dawn Onley There is no scarcity of opportunity to make a living at what you love; there’s only scarcity of resolve to make it happen.” – Wayne Dyer There are so many opportunities to do what we love. Endless opportunities. We have access to unlimited information. We can learn all about the things that we…

By Samantha McKenzie Before I take part in this great American tradition called Thanksgiving, I pause to give thanks and honor to our Native American family. As we gather today around the dining room table with family and friends, let us reflect on the true history of this nation, and the tremendous sacrifice made by…

By Dawn Onley Have you ever had something in life that just wasn’t working for you anymore? It doesn’t matter what it is — a relationship, a job, a belief, an exercise regimen, whatever – the point is, if it’s no longer working, why are you still clinging onto it? Heck, it may have never…

By Samantha McKenzie “Why not go out on a limb? That’s where the fruit is.” Mark Twain Why not push the envelope? How about you cross that line again. Try walking along the edge or free falling through life. If it gets you closer to your dreams, why not? Inspiring women to chase after their dreams and…

By Dawn Onley I’ve started this nightly ritual with my son. After he’s finished saying his prayers (“Now, I lay me down to sleep…”) we start naming things for which we’re thankful. When we first started doing this a few months back, he would blurt out how thankful he was for his toys. “Thank you,…

By Samantha McKenzie The biggest sin you can commit is lying to yourself. You can argue there are worse sins, like murder or armed robbery. You may even consider adultery or pedophilia at the top of the list. But it’s the lie that you tell yourself that gives way to all of the above. Lying…

By Dawn Onley If a child is bored, she is not creative enough. If an adult feels stuck, she is not creative enough. Life can be brutal. One thing after another can leave us feeling despondent and lost. There are real life circumstances that overwhelm us, and threaten to take us under by the sheer…