LIFE IN A WORD

The Word is LIFE

Definition: Merriam-Webster Dictionary: the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual

After a four-month hiatus, spent reflecting on the challenges of the world, I am happy to return with this new LIFE IN A WORD entry. As with all my writings, my goal is to inspire and motivate you to open your mind up to the good in life, the potential for personal growth and to deliver to you the tools needed to move forward with confidence, wisdom and joy.

Posted March 26, 2025

My Story on Life

Like many, I am guilty of procrastinating purging and decluttering my basement. But this past weekend, I challenged myself to delay no further. And so I began tackling the largest closet in my basement and building up the donation pile.  

Memories, from items pulled, filled my head. My daughter’s pink, yellow and green comforter with matching pillows and sheets brought to mind the cheeriness of her bedroom. My son’s red and white striped comforter brought back memories of my carefully adhering a border that framed his bedroom walls with his name artfully displayed.

And then there was the actual artwork recovered from the back of that basement closet. For my daughter it was an oblong oversized framed picture of The Little Mermaid. Thoughts of Disney swirled around as did her Little Mermaid pajamas and the video of the movie we played endless times.

For my son, the artwork I had on his wall, gave me pause. I went so far as to carry it into the garage as I readied my trunk for the content it was about to receive. And then it happened. The moment of hesitation when you know you’re not quite ready to part with one very special item. 

This particular item was a poster with the inspiring words of author Robert Fulgham from his acclaimed book All I Really Need to Know I Learned In Kindergarten. I knew this one had to have one last hurrah before it departed the physical space of my home.

So I am taking this opportunity to share Robert Fulgham's message with you, because I believe it is timeless and timely.

His words are simple, relevant and oh so wise. I encourage you to read them out loud for the full impact and be forewarned you might want to have a tissue handy.

“All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate-school mountain, but there in the sandpile at Sunday School. These are the things I learned.

• Share everything.

• Play fair.

• Don’t hit people.

• Put things back where you found them.

• Clean up your own mess.

• Don’t take things that aren’t yours.

• Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody.

• Wash your hands before you eat.

• Flush.

• Warm cookies and milk are good for you.

• Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw some and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.

• Take a nap every afternoon.

• When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.

• Be aware of wonder.

• Remember the little seeds in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.

• Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even little seeds in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.

• And then remember the Dick and Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.

• Everything you need to know is in there somewhere.

• The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation.

• Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.

• Take any one of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life, or your work or your government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm.

• Think what a better world it would be if we all - the whole world - had cookies and milk about three o’ clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap.

• Or if all governments had as a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess.

• And it is still true, no matter how old you are - when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.”

As I prepared to part with the beloved piece of art that hung in my son’s childhood bedroom, I realized it still held a message I needed to hear - and perhaps, you do too. 

Much like Fulgham’s words remind us to go back to basics, we sometimes need guidance to rediscover those simple truths in our adult lives. If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed by life’s complexities, I’m here to help. Remember, we’re not meant to navigate life’s changes alone.

Whether you’re stepping out of your comfort zone or overcoming past fears, I’m here to help you take that first scary step toward a more fulfilling future. Because truly, All I Really Need to Know I Learned In Kindergarten!

For a free consultation, please email me at innervoicelifecoach08@gmail.com

Thank you.

LIFE IN A WORD

The Word is Chrismukkah

Definition: Merriam-Webster Dictionary: This dictionary does not recognize Chrismukkah as a word.

So I consulted Wikipedia for their definition:

"Chrismukkah is a pop culture portmanteau neologism referring to the merging of the holidays Christianity’s Christmas and Judaism’s Hanukkah.

Posted 12/23/24

My Story on Chrismukkah

This Wednesday, December 25th, 2024 is being recognized by some as Chrismukkah (when Hanukkah and Christmas fall on the same day) so I thought it would be nice to share some facts and then some thoughts.

First the facts from my research:

Fact #1: Chrismukkah first arose in the German-speaking countries within middle class Jews of the 19th century. After World War II, it became particularly popular in the United States, but is also celebrated in other countries.

Fact #2: The term, Chrismukkah, was popularized beginning in December of 2003 by the TV drama THE O.C.,wherein the character Seth Cohen creates the holiday to signify his upbringing in an interfaith household with a Jewish father and a Protestant mother.

Fact #3: 2005 was the fifth time since 1910 that Christmas and Hanukkah fell on the same day.

Fact #4: We'll have to wait until 2035 to experience Chrismukkah again.

Fact #5: The Christmas and Hanukkah holidays don't align more often because the Jewish religion follows the lunar calendar while most of the world follows the solar or Gregorian calendar.

Now some thoughts:

It is kind of a tricky word to say. It doesn’t roll off your tongue like love, joy, happiness, and peace do. Yet, in my opinion, it is the coming together of people to celebrate a common theme - 

a miracle happened here.  For Hanukkah, it is the miracle of light and for Christmas, it is the miraculous birth of the baby Jesus.

So when Christmas and Hanukkah fall on the same day, I say embrace it. Celebrate the belief in miracles. No one is asking you to change your faith, but where's the harm in appreciating each other's connections to their faith and beliefs? One need not negate the other. One need only find common ground. In this case, it is the belief in miracles. 

Albert Einstein, best known as a man of science once said: “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

With that thought in mind, I wish everyone a joyful holiday season, filled with the spirit of miracles and goodwill for the coming year and beyond.

LIFE IN A WORD

The Word is LOSS

Definition: Merriam-Webster Dictionary: an instance of losing someone or something

Posted 12/18/24

My Story on Loss

I am writing this with tears in my eyes. I have just lost another friend to an incurable illness. She was someone I came to know during my visits to my mom’s Senior Living Facility.

We met at the salon in the Assisted Living facility. We started a conversation, and it was one of those rare connections where you instantly “click.”

Ironically, we shared a birthdate, were both born in Brooklyn and lived on Long Island for parts of our lives.

In a note to her daughter after learning of her passing, I wrote about how she was dealt an unfair hand at an early age. She was only eight years older than me. I wished I had met her sooner. Her feistiness, drive, artistic talents, and love of life were contagious, even as she bravely fought her illness. I feel blessed to have called her my friend.

Over the past five years, I have met nearly a hundred people at my mom’s Senior Living Facility. Many have passed—far too many to count. Sadness and the sense of loss hits me every time. Some I had the pleasure of sharing stories and hugs with. Others, I knew by exchanging pleasantries as we passed each other in the hall. I am grateful for the sweet and caring connections I have made with each of them. And it is from this place of gratitude that I want to shift the focus of this story, from loss to appreciation, and how gratitude has helped me find solace. I hope that, after reading this, you might find the same comfort in moments of loss.

Senior centers typically offer three living options: Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. These stages mirror the phases of life and the level of care required.

Watching friends and acquaintances travel their paths, I take note. Some face their challenges with optimism, strength, and unwavering smiles. They affirm their resilience through their words and actions, and I learn from them. Others find themselves overwhelmed by loss—their health, independence, and joy. From them, I learn too. The question that often comes to mind is: How prepared are we for these inevitable changes? Can we ever truly be ready?

What I’ve discovered is this: with gratitude, we can make the most of every moment—past, present, and future.

The past allows us to relive cherished memories. We can revisit those happy, more active times through photographs or hearing stories retold by friends and family.

The present invites us to find meaning in the here and now. Even simple acts—reading a book, calling a friend, attending a community activity—can give purpose to our days.

The future, while unpredictable, is still ours to dream about. What if we dared to ask for what we truly want? Whether it’s a special request for your next birthday or holiday, or a bold new vision for your life, take charge of your dreams and watch them come to fruition.

As the holidays approach, I want to leave you with this comforting thought: Grief is an acknowledgment that someone matters to us. So, as you reflect on the loss of a loved one, this holiday season, remember all that remains because they were part of your life. Recall the joy they brought, the lessons you learned, the shared laughter and tears, and the quiet moments. Be grateful for all that you are—past, present, and future—because they were in your life. Know that a part of them stays with you always when you let it.

I wish you a happy and healthy holiday season. May it be filled with heartwarming stories of the past, the present, and dreams for the future.

If you need guidance in navigating your feelings of loss, please contact me for a free consultation. Let’s rediscover those losses through gratitude and love. Email me at innervoicelifecoach08@gmail.com—I’m confident our time together will be well spent.