I woke up this morning exhausted. Triggered. And I could feel my negative thoughts lining up like little toy soldiers ready to go to battle.

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.

Knitters, Runners, Writers and Local Business People are already great fans of the wonderful Daybreak Coffee House in Glastonbury, Connecticut.  For the 2013-2014 school-year Linda Kenneman and her brother Carmello also adopted Readers as their most enthusiastic fans by hosting a year-long book club.  At the first ever meeting, Linda hosted a packed house, yet the delicious coffee, tea and desserts were plentiful all night.  Linda and local author and Public Relations Expert, Wendy Paine Miller suggested that we break into groups of five or six.

Many 9/11 family members feel Americans have forgotten how it felt on September 11th, 2001.  Have we forgotten seeing the Towers fall, the Pentagon burning, and United Flight 93 crashing into the ground?  Some family members were interviewed to get their feelings, and to remind us that there are faces behind the victims of that surprise attack that started the War on Terror.  

Take a minute.  Take a minute to hug your kids an extra second today.  I think that 9/11 is the Kennedy moment of my generation.  I will always remember what an absolutely beautiful morning it was.  A little crisp, clear, sunny and bright blue sky.   Perfect.   I remember looking up at the sky that morning and being so thankful for such a beautiful day.  I was truly in that moment.  Then, all hell broke loose.

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.