Do you ever find yourself dreaming of changing your life but worry what others will think if you do? Or maybe you think it would be selfish or irresponsible as a mom to do so. Does this guilt and fear of judgment keep you in a job or situation that is no longer working for you? If so, then it’s time to kick it to the curb once and for all and let yourself know you’re not a bad mom for feeling like this, for wanting to make change in your life.

The latest books by New York Times best-selling author J.A. Jance have very powerful themes.  The mystery, Second Watch, is a J.P. Beumont novel in which the main character delves into his days in Viet Nam. Her second book, a re-release, After The Fire, is the author’s memoir in poetry and prose about her years trying to save her alcohol addicted husband.

Every week, the content of my blog is based on a real-life scenarios – ones I’ve experienced as a facilitator, executive and personal growth coach, keynote speaker, as well as a manager and leader.

Ellen Hopkins latest book, Smoke, is a sequel to her bestselling novel, Burned.  The issues tackled in both books include abuse, relationships, and religious extremism.  Smoke’s powerful storyline is brought out through the lives of two sisters, miles apart but in some ways expressing the same emotions. 

A post in a mom online forum recently caught my attention. A mom had left work a number of times during the first week of school when they called to emotional and health concerns relating to her daughter.

Some of her coworkers were not too happy. They reported her to upper management and stated she needed to keep the personal out of her work life.

I’ve found that running with friends is less expensive than therapy.  Having a whole hour to vent while your friends puffs along beside you nodding because she’s too out of breath to form complete sentences in response to you is a beautiful thing.

Are you feeling stuck in a cycle of overwhelm, stress and exhaustion trying to juggle your many responsibilities of work, being a mom and of well just life. 

Does your family rely on your income making you feel like you are trapped in your job with no way out?

If you’re answering yes to either of these questions you are not alone. I talk to so many women who are going through their Passion Shift that are feeling this way.

Natasha Solomons’ latest book, The Gallery of Vanished Husbands is a portrait of Juliet Montague’s life from 1958 to 2006. She chooses her own future by challenging her world both culturally and religiously. Natasha’s main character looks upon herself as an outsider and strives for an independent identity without losing the closeness of her parents and children.

The relaxed pace of summer is, essentially, behind us. Fall is nearly here. Hard to believe, but true. It's time to refocus on "work" - whatever your age and stage in life.

I have a vivid imagination.  I used to get lost in my head with all the paths my life could take that inevitably seemed to end in different versions of me being rich and famous.  I would imagine my clothes, the parties, the well-known friends and my face gracing covers of magazines.  How I would get there was much less clear or fun to dwell on.   Fame and fortune seemed the solution to all life’s ills during my late teens.