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Wednesday, May 26, 2010
655,422
With a long weekend and warmer days, it’s a great time to relax, hopefully
enjoy the weather, and relish this American tradition.
Is it just me, or does it seem that over the years
many people have forgotten the significance of the last Monday in May?
I’m all in for a good time, with
three of my favorite Fs — friends, family, and food.
But, 655,422 military servicemen and
women gave their lives during America’s wars. Fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts,
cousins, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors . . .
So . . . before you rub on the suntan
oil or marinade the steaks, please take a moment to pay tribute to the 655,422 and their families.
Memorial Day commemorates the men and
women who died while serving in the American military. It was originally known as Decoration Day, because it was a time set
aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves.
Several cities claim to be the birthplace
of Memorial Day: Columbus, Mississippi; Macon, Georgia; Richmond, Virginia; Boalsburg, Pennsylvania; and Carbondale, Illinois.
President Lyndon B. Johnson, declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day. Waterloo first celebrated
the day on May 5, 1866, and made Memorial Day an annual, community-wide event closing businesses and decorating the graves
of soldiers with flowers and flags.
Since after World War I, Memorial Day observances honor those who died in
all of America’s wars.
In 1968, in the Uniform Holidays Bill, Congress declared Memorial Day a
national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May, as well as scheduling Presidents’ Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans
Day.
Memorial Day is observed by many Americans by visiting cemeteries or memorials, participating in
parades, and getting together with family and friends.
To all the servicemen and women who lost their lives during America’s wars, thank you for defending our country
and paying the ultimate price for our freedom. May you rest in peace, and may your memories be blessings to your families.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Coach, Writer, Warrior, 40-Something: elizabeth cassidy
 Taught by her hard working parents about the importance of helping others, this fabulous 40-something is a true social
action warrior. She’s also an inspiring coach, who helps her clients develop and grow — finding meaning in their
lives and turning their creative dreams into smart businesses.
elizabeth cassidy lives in Glen Head,
New York, with her husband, Walter, and their seven rescued animals.
Supporting many causes with great passion,
cassidy motivates others to join her in grassroots efforts and on the crusade to make the world a better place.
She’s also a great role model for her peers — being a living example of not accepting one’s status
quo, reinventing oneself, and daring to listen to one’s intuition and letting it guide one into greatness.
When I was in high school, my favorite poet was e.e. cummings. He’s the only other person I know who wrote his
name with all lowercase letters — before it was “fashionable.” Why do you write yours that way?
I read poetry by e.e. cummings in high school also, and I
loved how everything was lowercased. I thought 'why not?' Why are we too afraid to strike out and be our own person —
have our own style and signature? I was not afraid that the punctuation police would come to my parents’ home to see
why I went against the norm. Going against the norm was the norm for me back then, and I think it still applies to this day.
Why did you become a creative coach for artists and writers?
After 20 plus years in the New York advertising field, I felt
it was time to reinvent myself. I made a list of what I loved to do — and hated to do. Helping people, becoming more
creative, and looking for innovative solutions to life’s problems were high on the list. The opportunity to be my own
boss and work at home really appealed to me, so I went back to school and got certified as a life and career coach.
I work primarily with artists and writers. I want to continue
to guide my clients as they make businesses out of their passions, and I also want to help them explore their creativity even
more. I’m in the process of establishing my new business: Coaching for the Creative Soul.
What’s Coaches on the Edge?
The idea came
to me about a year ago. I was looking to start a blog on coaching, but with a twist — using humor and sarcasm to bring
home points about life in general. My blogging partner, Laurie Lawson, and I created Coaches on the Edge, and we just scribed
our 100th blog. Every Wednesday, we blog about getting on the cover of Oprah Winfrey’s O Magazine. When it happens, we’ll use ourselves as an example for the importance of believing in one’s
dreams — big or small. Notice I said when it happens. As a former
comedy writer, I love that I gave myself the chance to write, be funny, and maybe change some minds — including my own.
You’re an active advocate for several causes. Where does
your passion come from?
From being the
child of two very hard working parents, who taught us early on about equality for all. It was as simple as that. I knew the
world could only change if I became active, and I try to leave a mark on it from AIDS education to animal rescue. I think
of myself as a warrior with really cool shoes.
I love this quote from Buddha: Never by hatred is hatred appeased, but it is appeased by kindness. This is an eternal truth.
What three causes are most important to you?
The elimination of AIDS. Having lost so many funny and darling
friends to it, it still saddens me that they’re no longer here. The lost of potential has been staggering in our lifetime.
Animal rights.
I think we can judge ourselves as a people by how we treat the innocent and animals. I have quite a few rescued animals living
in my house, and they love you unconditionally and are quite entertaining. So, I cannot even fathom what it could be like
to hurt any animal. I even take spiders out of the house, and I’m allergic to their bite.
Women’s
rights. I see a swing going backwards instead of steady growth and that bothers me greatly. Whatever you do as a woman, do
it with passion and gusto — and demand equal pay.
With such a busy lifestyle, what do you do to unwind or relax?
I’m currently exploring Buddhism. I find my life is at its fullest when I consider new subjects
and challenges. Relax? What’s that? I think I will unwind in the next life.
What else do you like to do for fun?
I like to take day trips, so I feel I have stepped out of my everyday life. I also like to rent movies and write. I
like exploring new places and people. I think one day I’d like to take a ride cross country and visit diners along the
way. That or live in Italy.
What’s the
most satisfying aspect of your life today?
Being a writer. I love how that re-appeared in my life — feels like an old friend that had been waiting for me
to call. And, working with artists and writers, and seeing the spark ignite when they give themselves permission to be the
best they can possibly be inspires me.
What did turning 40 mean to you?
That life was just beginning to unfold in front of me. One thing that really made me extremely happy was being able
to be the real me. I think all those people who wanted me to fade away realized that it wasn’t going to happen. Being
40 is being fabulous and fulfilled, and waiting to see what’s going to happen next.
What advice do you have for people in their 40s?
Relax. You can make life as much fun as you want to. Get in touch with what your passion is, and
run with it. You might have to stay at your present job for a while, so volunteer in the areas that make you feel most alive.
Get quiet, and ask your intuition questions. That is that little voice, the gut feeling or the visual, that just pops up into
your mind. It’s sending you answers, if you would just listen. And, don’t go to bed without doing something kind
for someone else. I believe in the theory that the more you give, the more you get.
If you could do one thing with the “Click” remote, what would it be?
I would click for world peace, so every child, woman, or man
would have the opportunity to live their lives without fear and have the freedom to be the most creative person they can possibly
be.
What’s next?
A New York Times bestselling book would be wonderful — with Angelia Jolie playing my part in the movie version. Seriously, I’m
currently writing a book. Look for it soon.
Contact elizabeth cassidy Phone: 516-629-6838
Coaches on the Edge
About elizabeth cassidy elizabeth cassidy, certified coach for artists and writers, is the owner
of Coaching for the Creative Soul, formerly Branching Out Life Coaching. She showers her clients with support, motivation,
and dark chocolate when needed. elizabeth is the co-creator/founder of Coaches on the Edge. She is lifestyle columnist for
Boomer Authority, and she also blogs for VibrantNation.com and GalTime.com. In 2008, one of her blogs was featured in “The
Huffington Post.”
elizabeth served as development director and member of the Executive Board
for the International Coaching Federation on Long Island in 2008 to 2009.
She’s a talented
writer, and one of her blogs achieved second place in 2008 for Skirt!’s Best Blogs of the Year. She is a published poet
and Reiki practitioner. She is a former comedy writer/comic for “WNBC Radio” in Manhattan.
Friday, May 21, 2010
What If . . .
If you could spend one day with any person living or dead, which
person would it be? OK, you’ve likely heard
that question before. Most of us have also been asked: If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have one person
with you, which person would you want? I always say
MacGyver. I figure he’s my best bet to get off the island and safely return home, even if we just have a match, half
a shoelace, and the underwire from my bra. Several
years ago, I bought a book called If . . . (Questions for the Game of Life). I love this book, and reread it regularly. It’s just a series of questions. It doesn’t supply any answers.
And, almost every question leads you to think further than the immediate answer, most likely to ask yourself, "Why?" Some of the questions in the book are a little surprising and others are
outright shocking. Who asks anyone: “If you had to secretly dispose of a dead body, how would you do it?” Opening our minds is important at every age, but I think many of those
who’ve reached the big 4 – 0 shut down their imagination departments years ago, which kills their ability to believe
their lives could be better or there can be a better world. So, it’s time to dust off your imagination and join me on the wonderful journey of If . . . If you could
become famous for doing anything, whether or not it’s something you already do, what would it be? I’m not sure I would be comfortable
with fame, but I see how it can promote good in the world. If I had to become famous for one thing, I’d like it to be
for inspiring others to be philanthropic and giving back to the community, really committing themselves to building a better
world. Then again . . . It wouldn’t
be so bad to be famous for being the first woman to play for the New York Yankees, with a .400 batting average and maybe a
golden glove or two. Then, I could still inspire people to give back, like many of the players do. What would you like to be famous for? About
The 40 Factor's If . . .
The questions
presented in The 40 Factor’s If . . . are inspired by the book If . . . (Questions for the Game of Life), which was written by Evelyn McFarlane and James Saywell, and published
by Villard Books in 1995.
McFarlane and Saywell
have also written: • If2 . . . (Questions for the Game of Life)
• If3 . . . (Questions for the Game of Love)
• If . . . Questions for the Soul.
• How Far Will You Go? Questions to Test Your Limits
• Would
You? Questions to Challenge Your Beliefs
• If . . . Questions for Teens
• If You Had a Million
Dollars? Questions About Your Money and Your Life
• I Do . . . Questions for The Biggest Day of Your Life
Sunday, May 16, 2010
It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This
What’s better than
spending time with good friends, sharing lots of laughs, and enjoying happy occasions? Not much that I can think of. As we reach the big 4 – 0 and beyond, we have a greater appreciation of what’s important
in life. Sure, I still dream of
winning the mega millions lottery, but nothing could ever replace my core circle of friends and family. Through it all, we’re
there for each other — cheering on accomplishments and giving each other a shoulder to lean on during difficult times.
Every time I take a step back to reflect on
the amazing people in my life, I’m in awe of how truly blessed I am. Today, I went to a birthday brunch in honor of one of my best friends, her fiancé, and two
other of their close friends. It was a blast. Old friends and new acquaintances meshed right away, and we had an afternoon
we’ll never forget. It didn’t
take 40 years to have a complete appreciation of good friends, but if I knew
20 or 30 years ago what I know now . . . some things would be different.
As corny as it may sound, thanks to Facebook, Classmates.com, and the Internet, many of us who lost touch reconnected in recent
years. It’s been great to catch up with people I grew up with and rekindle friendships with good friends from once upon
a time. So, today I was reminded
of how lucky I am — to have the wisdom of someone who’s reached the big 4 – 0 and to have amazing friends
in my life. It’s never too late to reach out to
an old friend, and it’s never been easier. Nothing is better than the friendships we make. Who are you going to reach
out to today?
Sun, May 16, 2010 | link
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Monday Morning Blues
How often do you
have the Monday morning blues? Once every few months? Once every few weeks? Every week? Everyone has them sometime, even those who love what they
do and where they do it.
But, if you dread the start of every work week, it’s time to get in touch with what’s
bringing you down.
I know too many 40-somethings who dread Mondays. They dread them so much, the thought of Monday
morning starts nagging on Sunday afternoon.
We can easily get stuck in routines, even ones that are unhealthy or
unsatisfying.
So many things effect how we feel about work. Whether you’re frustrated with your position,
type of work, organization’s culture, relationship with your boss, commute, or anything else that’s bothering you. Because, yes, this is all about you.
Sometimes, we can simply pinpoint the thorn in our side and address it at our current place of work. Other times,
we figure it out and know a change in employer will do us a whole lot of good. Sometimes, we learn we need to shift the way
we’re thinking. And, other times, we discover the root of our challenge can’t be so easily tackled.
Whatever
you’re going through, if you regularly have the Monday morning blues, do something to snap out of it. You owe it to
yourself.
Take the time to think about everything you like — and don’t like — about work. Not
just your current job, but work in general. Think about all of your previous places of employment — what motivated you,
and what made you want to run for the hills.
OK, it may not be that easy. It depends on how much thinking you need
to do. When I work with individuals who are looking to figure out their ideal careers, it usually takes three to six months.
But, doing nothing will only produce nothing. Start somewhere, and enlist help if necessary. There are many talented career coaches, who can help you flip your Monday morning blues into a Monday morning love affair.
For now, take care of yourself.
I often tell people to do something nice for themselves everyday, something quick and easy that will give them instant gratification.
So, figure out a few things, and mix it up from day to day.
And, don’t forget to take your daily 15-minute
vacation — a real break, one that will give you the opportunity to relax and recharge . . . and maybe even come back
with a smile on your face.
Good
luck, everyone. It’s time for all 40-somethings to shed the Monday morning blues!
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