Close your eyes at night with a smile — and a sigh of relief — We’ve become a society of restless sleepers. The bedroom beckons, tempting us with promises of deep slumber. We anxiously slip into the cozy comfort of a just-right mattress and inviting sheets, anticipating a night of restful rejuvenation, along with mental and physical renewal. Yet sleep eludes us. And the morning brings more than a grouchy attitude.

The thought haunts me — The thing I’m most worried about is who will clean up my mess after I die. To some of you, the thought may seem a bit strange. But I can’t help it. Perhaps it’s a character flaw, one I’ve had all my life. Bear with me — I’ll do my best to explain. Whenever I start something — a writing project, a meal, a load of…

Some of you may be uncomfortable reading this article — Let’s get a few things out in the open — right up front … If you’re being honest with yourself, there’s probably lots of stuff you know you shouldn’t be doing. For example … Laying around on the couch watching a mind-numbing TV show instead of being more active Continuing to buy and eat the wrong kinds of foods Dodging phone calls, text messages…

What will you be thinking about when you approach the end? — Many years ago, I worked for a large corporation. The company manufactured electrical control parts, and my job was to support the salespeople and engineers by reading blueprints, creating a list of components, and pricing out the jobs. The salespeople called on customers, negotiated volume pricing, and managed distributors’ inventory. Our team had several large clients who were loyal…

It’s time to reveal your true self to the world — “By taking the necessary steps to embrace your consciousness, you’ll become more open to discovering your truth.” — Jill Reid | Real Life Feeling lost, empty, and confused? Maybe it seems like you’ve lost touch with the person you know is deep inside — the one who’s hiding from the world and desperate to find…

How to keep your issues from weighing you down — Recently, my husband struck up a conversation with a young couple while we were waiting for our dinner reservation to be called. The pair appeared to be in their late twenties, and more than just friends. I should mention at this point that my husband is a social animal, and…

Five suggestions to help you conquer the choking fear of performance anxiety — You’re invited to a friend’s house for a party, or a neighborhood gathering, or a work-related event. You mark the date on your calendar — it’s set in stone. As you’re getting ready to go, you’re excited and a little nervous. …

Our vocal cords have become completely useless — Aside from the occasional ringing in my ears (damn tinnitus), on most days it seems like I’m living in a quiet void. And I crave the sound of a human voice. The lack of verbal communication is becoming much too common. The reason behind this disturbing phenomenon is everywhere I look. Focused eyes are glued to hypnotic screens while…

And there’s no need to consider joining them — Every once in a while, I’ll hear someone say, “I’m going to try/do that.” And I cringe when I hear the words. Why? In my opinion, it’s because the thing being considered usually carries a heavy risk factor — a failure quotient that has the potential to produce frustration, disappointment, and stress. Before you get your hackles up, allow me to clarify …