Exploring with others prompts new ways of seeing — if we look. Sharing our experience allows it to grow. — Part of my joy when exploring a new city, or region, or country is learning from those who live there. I’ve spoken with kind and fascinating people who have helped me to experience the soul of an area, which is often elusive. …

The New York Times started the new year with a 7-Day Happiness Challenge, which they describe as “simple steps for a joyful, more connected 2023.” Day 3 deeply resonated with me: ”Small Talk has Big Benefits.” I couldn’t agree more. The Day 3 Challenge or learning opportunity in this series…

The season of “comfort and joy” has passed. Ahead lies two months of winter days that can be bleak and brutally cold for those of us living in the northeast of the US. Where’s the joy?! Yes, I’ve been musing on joy — feeling joy, sending wishes of joy, sharing…

Regret is something upon which I do not focus. That said, regret is the feeling I have carried with me after declining to say yes to a conversation. My Recent Experience I sat reading a book on a bench along a side path at Washington Square Park. A woman with a warm smile…

’Tis the season to pause and reflect on the year that is ending — our year at work, our semester at school, the year in our personal lives. But how do we do that? I’ve been reflecting on the act of reflection. There are countless ways to reflect, depending on…

Yes, dogs can converse — and they have much to teach us! My Recent Experience I sat on the Q train with tears flooding down my left cheek. …

Do you talk “with” someone — or do you talk “to” them? The word we use is telling. “Talking with” is a collaboration, a dialogue, a dynamic give and take. Anything less is a degradation of communication. “Talking to” is a lecture. “I need to talk to you” is rarely…

The Beautiful Life of Issey Miyake — I am not someone who stays glued to the news, but I do glance at alerts from multiple news apps on my phone throughout the day. A few will entice me to at least start reading the article. Two stood out from this past week. The first was from the…

Explaining Our Language — Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to give thought to a multitude of English words and phrases, along with several unique Americanisms. The catalyst has been a guest from Italy who is already quite proficient in her English skills and is pushing herself to be even better…