As most of you know, I’m not a George W. Bush supporter. But last night, I was thinking about him in a way that elicited more compassion and concern for him than I’ve ever felt in my life. Why? Because I was thinking, “What must it be like to have to publicly HAND OVER the reins to the presidency while your successor (the brand new darling) is creating such a stir that the general public has mentally ousted you from office before your term is even finished?”

To go from being the head of everything—with the world leaning on your every word and thought, to being the guy shoved out the back door for the new guy that’s just eclipsed you and ushered in “A Brand New Age”? That’s gotta hurt! (more…)

Most people cringe when they realize their day in the sun is over—or, more kindly stated, when their day in the sun has turned into an evening in the twilight. I know it seriously pained my ego the first time I was called “ma’am” and the person who said it really meant it. Or when I realized those gray hairs really were here to stay.

Though, from what I hear from my clients, being called ma’am or admitting we’re getting (ouch!) old is nothing compared to being labled a “has-been.”

This is one of those very common points in the arc of fame. Almost every “Somebody” does become a “Nobody” or worse, a “Who? I don’t remember you!” It’s ridiculously common, yet can be so painful that nobody likes to talk about it. Perhaps because ‘fame’ in this country is so present moment that to admit the moment ends kind of messes with the whole illusion and tarnishes the American Dream… (more…)

In Rhonda Britten’s book, Change Your Life in 30 Days, she asks the question, “Are you making it up or is it true?” Designed for people to ask themselves when they find they are beating themselves up, making assumptions about some situation that’s bothering them.

We all tend to tell ourselves fantastically creative (yet thoroughly untrue) stories about what the other people in our lives are thinking or intending when they’re interacting with us. And one solution Rhonda offers, for the cases where clarification or verification is impossible, is to “Make it up GOOD!”

Meaning, if you’re going to make up intentions and reasons for the behavior of others, the LEAST you can do is make up a story that’s EMPOWERING to your self esteem.

Case in point: as many of you know, I’ve been single for a LONG time, and it’s been at least 12 months since I even considered liking a guy. Well, I met one I liked. I got all the signs a woman tends to get when a guy likes her and, scary as it was for me, I decided to give liking him a try. This was a HUGE step for me, as I have the frighteningly great skill of being as celibate as a nun for vast amounts of time when I feel that dating is out of my comfort zone… (more…)

“Her legs are too long…And that hair—that really isn’t what we’re looking for…Turn around. Well, maybe with some airbrushing…We can fix that in post, right?”

Sound familiar?

You leave the house feeling like a normal person, you come home feeling like an over-handled and useless piece of produce… (more…)

Do you find yourself saying “Mmmmm!” to a mouthful of beluga when the truth is, you think little bumps of salty water exploding in your mouth are kind of gross? Playing golf or watching polo when you still can’t figure out why people seem to like the sports so much?

One of the biggest challenges some people face when they’re thrust into the world of money, power, and prestige is the social pressure (real or perceived) to act and look “Affluent.” You know, you’re invited to the big charity event and everyone is going on and on about the expensive wines and you haven’t the vaguest idea what the big deal is, yet, you find yourself sipping it and nodding in agreement with them so they don’t think you’re stupid? (more…)