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One element of this for me is my health. I need to focus on working out so my body is better able to bend so it doesn’t break. That becomes more important as I get older. Often, I know when I must modify during a workout. It’s making sure I’m staying resilient and not hurting myself.

Bamboo is resilient. Perhaps, surprisingly, as it has a high water content, bamboo has natural fire resistance, too. With organic treatments improving this natural resistance, it can withstand temperatures of up to 400 degrees Celsius. It’s also resilient when faced with extreme weather.It can withstand twice as much force bearing down on it as wood, brick or concrete can.

Strength is not how hard you stand, but how you bend. That’s life. It really is an ebb and flow. Some times are more difficult that others. Some times are easier. Regardless, it’s about resilience. It’s about bending so you don’t break.

Life is about the moments that take your breath away.

A summit is the highest point of a hill or mountain, an apex or peak. It’s also the highest attainable level of achievement. Regardless, it’s about reaching your potential according to your higher self.

Mount Everest is the ultimate summit. It’s the highest point on Earth at 29,029 feet. Amazingly, it’s higher than airplanes fly. It’s also the pinnacle of human determination and endurance. About 800 people attempt to climb Everest annually.

Climbing Evererst or climbing any summit represents an ability to truly overcome and push the boundaries of possibility, and that anything in life is truly possible.

All this to say, anyone can overcome their own Everest. Whether that means the loss of a loved one, or a pet, or job issue or relationship challenge, you can conquer anything.

I’ve experienced all these losses. Often, it takes time to feel the emotions, but overcoming life’s difficulties is what makes me stronger.

“Our lives are defined by opportunities. Even the ones we miss.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

The editor-in-chief is a leader. It’s the person who typically leads various publications end-to-end. It’s an executive editorT or operations leader. Some of the typical responsibilities of editors-in-chief may include:

• Ensuring that content is journalistically objective, grammatically correct and factual
• Evaluating, editing and contributing to content
• Motivating and developing staff
• Responding to reader complaints and comments

All this to say, I try to live with the mindset of an editor in chief. To me, that means acting with the strength of a leader and the intestinal fortitude to make brave decisions and the courage to take a stand.

Generally, leaders in organizations don’t act like true leaders. Often, people are promoted into leadership based on whose arse they kiss. I’ve seen it multiple times in my decades-long career. Servant leadership, again in my estimation, is almost non-existent. Additionally, decision making is convoluted and often delayed or avoided. As for taking a stand, yeah, right! The only back they have is their own.

Now, I have seen true leadership in some of those I’ve reported to. These leaders where supportive, collaborative and believed in the team.

In terms of individuals generally, it does take a strong individual to take a stand for something and to also have someone’s back. I’ve witnessed this in my husband for sure. He’s always supported me and had my back without question. And I’ve done the same for him.

2025 is the year of the snake. Individuals born under the snake sign in the Chinese zodiac are often associated with characteristics like wisdom, charm and strong intuition. They usually think things thoroughly, prefer to keep things private, and are really good at understanding and caring about others.

Snakes regularly shed their skin. The year of the snake is about shedding toxicity and letting go of anything that doesn’t serve.

There are other elements that the year of the snake represents:

• remember your magic
• be flexible
• longevity
• deeper wisdom
• growth
• change and transformation

My Chinese zodiac symbol is the dog based on my birth year. People born in the Year of the Dog in Chinese astrology like me are known for their strong sense of fairness, bravery, and unwavering loyalty.

Manners are defined as ways of behaving toward people, especially ways that are socially correct and show respect to others.

Manners are the proper or polite way to behave in public. That might include modesty, humbleness, kindness and courtesy. I believe these are the essential traits of a well-behaved person.

There are many easy examples of how to have good manners. While they are simple examples, so many people, including older people who should know better, don’t do it. I often wonder if they never had the example by their parents.

Rob and I took this seriously when our kids were young. That’s why we’re proud of how they behave and the manners they still show.

• Saying please, thank you
• Holding the door for others (especially a man for a woman)
• Having good table manners
• Being punctual
• Treating others how you’d like to be treated, the Golden Rule

This is just a reminder to be respectful and focus on having good manners.

I’m a walker. It’s one of my favorite ways of working out and trying to stay in shape. But the concept of walking has other connotations. Specifically, what it means to walk away from people, emotions, toxicity and more. That can do your life good. It has for me.

Walking away from things isn’t always easy. Often it means putting myself first. Not everyone may understand that, and it’s no concern to me.

I walk away from:

• arguments
• anger
• people who put me down
• people pleasing
• judgemental people
• my mistakes and fears

I truly belive the more I walk away from poison the healthier my soul will be.

This particular blog is about people who cheat. I won’t include names, but will, instead, talk about cheating in general terms.

First, while while we tend to vilify the man (especially as women), it does take a woman, too, for cheating to happen. I tend to refer to those women as vultures. They screw over other women by getting involved in a cheating relationship, especially if she’s stabbing another woman in the back.

I’ve experienced this in my life. Vultures suck. Literally. They take your man and suck the love and energy out of a relationship.

As for the man, I wish they’d think with something other than what’s between their legs. Additionally, the grass isn’t greener or sex isn’t always better on the other side, or the person you cheated on.

To try to be factual, sort of, I want to focus on the Bro Code and Girl Code as it pertains to cheating.

There are actually about 8 to 40 points to the Bro Code, depending on which one you read. Ironic? I think not. Two that apply to cheating, are on all Bro Code lists I reviewed.

Bros before hoes. (I know that’s a shitty word to use.) This is the most important rule of the Bro Code. Call it the first amendment of being a guy. Your bros come before any girl. Your friends will always be there for you, but a girl might not.

Never date your bro’s ex. If your bro has ever dated a girl (or if he’s dating her now), she is off-limits. There are plenty of other women out there, and you don’t want to risk ruining a friendship over his ex-girlfriend. Just don’t do it.

Now for some elements of the Girl Code. Ironically, the first is about putting friends before guys. Women focus, instead, on the beauty of relationships.

Don’t go after a friend’s ex or crush. Female friendships are sacred, so you should try not to let a guy impact your girls. When someone dates a friend’s ex, it causes so much pain. If you date someone a friend is emotionally invested in, you’ll almost certainly hurt her. Don’t do it.

Get permission before you pursue her friend. Great friendships are all about respect. If you end up catching feelings for someone close to your friend, make sure to run it by her first. Whether it’s her sibling, a friend or dating someone who’s ingrained in your friend’s life can be complicated.

So, basically respect yourself and others and break up first instead of cheating and breaking someone’s heart or losing a friend.

Cheating is never right. Just because you see it on TV or movies, reality is different. Be a better human and treat others as you’d want to be treated. Don’t cheat if you don’t want to be cheated on yourself.

Trauma is an emotionally painful or upsetting life event which can result in long-lasting mental and/or physical pain. It can happen when a child has intense or overwhelming experiences, and it doesn’t just go away. If it is not addressed, it could also impact adulthood.

It may have lasting adverse effects mentally, physically, socially or emotionally and might even affect spiritual well-being. Basically, scars of the past may continue, even if unconsciously or under the surface.

For me, I’ve experienced trauma from biological related individuals. I’ve shared in other blog posts about the toxicity and controlling nature of these people. Not one of them, including those known as my parents and sisters, didn’t let me know my dad was being put in memory care.

Here’s a recent situation. After a very long time, I went to see my dad. His room was a disaster, and dare I say, a pig sty. It was very cluttered. Dozens of clothes, unfolded, were everywhere. And it smelled – a lot.

So, a few days later, I went back with paper towels and wet wipes. He was in some activity. I went into his room to clean. I picked up clutter. Folded clothes all throughout the room and in a huge pile in the closet. I dusted. It was dirty and really dusty. I bought and opened an air freshener in the bathroom.

He came back into the room as I was wrapping up and got upset. I took an empty shoe box out of the closet and he didn’t understand that. Then he got upset and slammed his closet doors. I left without saying goodbye.

He was so ungrateful. I took time out of my day. I just don’t think he comprehends any of it.

What in the heck are the other biological individuals doing? Do they even look around his room? Can they not smell the room? I took action. Others, who seem to care haven’t cleaned or dusted, maybe ever. They aren’t taking care of his living space.

I know to heal from my trauma I need to become less reactive. I know it will be part of my growth and a way to decrease my stress. The reason I haven’t visited my dad for a very long time is because I’m protecting my peace and taking care of myself.

It’s not in the interest of my mental health to see him. After seeing him, it takes me many days to feel normal again. Many may not understand this. That’s not my issue. My health on multiple levels is more important than that.

Healing from my trauma has made me also realize that by staying stuck in these emotions dulls who I am and what makes me ME. I’m not allowing anyone to affect my peace. Instead, I’ll be brave and allow my fiery essence to shine.

No more toxic family and ungrateful individuals.

Today is St. Patrick’s Day. As someone with Irish as part of my heritage, I enjoy this day and what the saint represents.

St. Patrick had an interesting life. He was taken prisoner as a youth. Later, he helped convert Irish to Christianity. For example, Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, and it has been associated with him and the Irish since that time.

The shamrock also represents luck. Luck is defined as chance considered as a force that causes good or bad things to happen. I think of luck as a positive force.

I really feel like I’m a lucky person. I’m married to my best friend who I enjoy just being together. We can cook together, discuss all manner of issues, and always have each other’s back. I have a beautiful daughter who I’m super pround of. She’s independent, successful and an inspiration to me in lots of ways. In fact, she’s named for our Irish surname.

I’m lucky to know that my peace matters a lot to me. Holding fast to my boundaries enables me to take care of myself and cut out those people who are toxic, narcissistic and passive agressive.

I’ll close with St. Patrick’s breastplate which is a prayer.

Christ be with me, Christ within me
Christ behind me, Christ before me
Christ beside me, Christ to win me
Christ to comfort me and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger
Christ in hearts of all that love me
Christ in mouth of friend or stranger.