Best Friend
Before we can make friends with anyone else, we must first make friends with ourselves. — Eleanor Roosevelt “Friendship improves happiness, and abates misery, by doubling our joys, and dividing our grief,” said Cicero. Shakespeare wrote, “A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.” Jess C. Scott added, “Friends are the family you choose.” VeryWellMind says, “Friendships can enrich your life in many ways. Good friends teach you about yourself and challenge you to be better … Some research even says friendships are just as important to your well-being as eating right and exercising.” Psychology Today adds, “Friends are often soulmates. Recognizing each other on a soul level helps us spiritually … When you had an anam cara, your friendship cut across all convention and category. You were joined in an ancient and eternal way with the friend of your soul.” LonerWolf suggests twelve ways to create an anam cara, a ‘soul friend’ inside, including: A random act of kindness for yourself each day and seeking solitude. LifeHack suggests: Focus on your strengths Write your success stories Read more Here are more Best Friend resources: What really constitutes an online friendship: [includes link to “4 Types of People You Should Never Friend on Facebook” Be Your Own Best Friend Worksheet. How to be a better friend Making good friends How to make friends Remember, How many slams in an old screen door? Depends how loud you shut it. How many slices in a bread? Depends how thin you cut it. How much good inside a day? Depends how good you live ’em. How much love inside a friend? Depends how much you give ’em. — Shel Silverstein Succeed and Soar! Four Days Left. Each November, Succeed and Soar’s readers are invited to keep these inspirations glowing and growing. Think of this once-a-year contribution as a subscription. [So far this month, $0 has been invested.] Pitch in Here. Thanks! Let’s enjoy 40 minutes sharing uplifting, enlightening Succeed and Soar conversation, Thursday, December 2nd, 7pm [US East Coast] Included can be this month’s special book. The New York Times calls Ivan Doig’s Last Bus to Wisdom, “an enchanting 1950s road-trip tale that swaps Kerouac’s Sal Paradise for a plucky 11-year-old named Donal.” See you soon! Image @ canstockphoto.com Eleanor’s Insights Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with photographs of ‘wild places.’ Art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here
Boomers, X, Millennials, Z, Alpha & Beyond
Each generation supposes that the world was simpler for the one before it. — Eleanor Roosevelt In the United States, the Builders born between 1901 and 1924 experienced the mass migration from country to city life, the switch from horse-drawn to motor vehicles and Spanish flu that killed over 50 million people. They used outhouses, grew up without electricity and raised the Silent generation. Those born between 1924 and 1945 were influenced by the Great Depression and World War II. They experienced air travel, labor unions and expected lifetime jobs with one employer. They and the Builders created the Baby Boomers’ world. Those born from 1946 to 1964 grew up with interstate highways, the Civil Rights struggle, television, the assassinations of President John Kennedy and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Their world included credit cards and conglomerates. Unlike before, Generation X [born 1965 to 1980] understood the phrases, “what’s in it for me,” ‘latch-key children” and MTV. Next came Millennials [1981-1995/6], raised in a 24/7, non-stop, fast-paced world of iPhones, Google, Facebook and Amazon. They’re followed by Generation Z, children of the 21st century who are shaping the world for Generation Alpha. This week, I caught “The Neutral Zone,” the May 16, 1988 episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. There, three cryogenically-frozen people are revived from a derelict, 20th century Earth vessel. When one man mourns the loss of his wealth and status, starship Enterprise captain smiles indulgently and says, “This is the 24th century. Material needs no longer exist.” Shocked, the gentleman asks, “Then, what’s the challenge?” Picard answers, “The challenge, Mr. Offenhouse, is to improve yourself. To enrich yourself. Enjoy it.” In creating conditions from which future generations will grow, consider Jonas Salk’s question, Are we being good ancestors? Also consider: All good men and women must take responsibility to create legacies that will take the next generation to a level we could only imagine. ― Jim Rohn Each day we choose to live the legacy we want to leave. – Pam Farrel Succeed and Soar! Sources for Generation Dates & Names FourHooks Wikipedia Support Succeed and Soar this Month. Keep these insights and inspirations glowing and growing. Shopping at Sandra’s Gifts and/or Sandra’s Galleries also helps. Invest Here. Thanks! Mark your calendar Let’s chat first Thursday, 7pm Pittsburgh [Eastern US] time. Goal: Build community by sharing uplifting, enlightening Succeed and Soar conversations, including the novel Last Bus to Wisdom by Ivan Doig. Good Reads Review Subscribe to receive notifications. See you December 2nd! Eleanor’s Insights Collection Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with photographs of ‘wild places.’ My art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here
Generous Success
For our own success to be real, it must contribute to the success of others. — Eleanor Roosevelt In Invisible Acts of Power, Caroline Myss, Ph.D. says there is a fundamental aspect of human nature that needs to reach out to others. Documentaries on BBC’s Planet Earth and National Geographic Wild show that other mammals have the same capacity. [Perhaps some aves, feathered creatures, and aquatic vertebrates too.] The ways humans choose to be generous [now that we’re building skyscrapers and space ships] sets us apart. We can give for many reasons, which could — let’s face the truth — be selfish, ego boosting acts. We achieve magnificence when, as Myss wrote, “The warm glow we get from helping others is not just a good physical feeling – it is the energy of a healing grace that moves between the giver and the receiver and blesses both.” Bless means to ‘invoke divine favor.’ Bless involves a mutually and spiritually elevating sharing. In the success realm, Forbes offers “10 Ways to Help Others That Will Lead to Your Success,” including: Share knowledge [while advancing your personal education] Introductions [providing beneficial connections and contacts] Read more Succeed and Soar’s “Your Heroic Heart” post suggested: Imagine a world where gradually, one-by-one, more people become heroes? The process is simple: Random acts of kindness qualify. I think the fear-driven stinginess and meanness that has surfaced lately opens opportunities to see those niggardly behaviors for what they are. [Did you know there’s a movement to declare Greed a mental disorder?] That understood, we can choose healthier, more magnificent and noble ways of being. DivineSparks, a blog that collects, “words, pictures and other forms of media that remind me I’m a spiritual being having a human experience,” offered this Invisible Acts of Power insight, Anything you do for others, as well as the support you receive in your own life, has healing consequences for the whole human community. Succeed and Soar! Support Succeed and Soar this Month. Keep these inspirations glowing and growing. Shopping at Sandra’s Gifts and/or Sandra’s Galleries also helps. Invest Here. Thanks! Mark your calendar Let’s chat first Thursday, 7pm Pittsburgh [Eastern US] time. Succeed and Soar‘s first Zoom Chat touched on the Big Bang, Critical Race Theory, how thought becomes physical matter and more. Goal: Build community by sharing uplifting, enlightening conversations. See you December 2nd when we can also discuss Ivan Doig’s uplifting and fun novel, Last Bus to Wisdom. Eleanor’s Insights Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with photographs of ‘wild places.’ Art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here
Worth Living For
As long as there must be war, I ask and I must answer: Was I worth dying for? — Eleanor Roosevelt ThoughtCo says the human body is 65% oxygen, 18% carbon, 10% hydrogen and 3% nitrogen. Along with the calcium, phosphorous, rubidium, aluminum, arsenic, lithium and other elements, a person’s ingredients could be purchased for $1. When bodies are valued this way, George Carlin could believe, “War is rich old men protecting their wealth by sending lower and middle-class young men off to die.” What is war? Margaret Atwood said, “War is what happens when language fails.” Stephen King observed, “Fighting for peace, is like f***ing for chastity.” Bertrand Russell offered, “War does not determine who is right – only who is left.” More thoughts. What causes bloodshed? Leslie De Jong believes, “All war originates within as an internal conflict,” which Wellness Mind says can come from: discontent with what is [or is not] happening in someone’s life Intolerance Inability to forgive Low self esteem So, maybe, if battles inside leaders were settled, all that has to die for us are internal clashes. PsychCentral’s six steps include making time for ourselves and getting out into nature. LifeHack’s 40 ways to peace of mind list being kind, avoiding comparisons, getting enough sleep and frolic. BTW, DataGenetics believes the oxygen in human bodies is worth $9.83, the carbon eighteen cents. The 0.25% of us that is potassium is most valuable, $104. All told, they value a body at $160. What are you worth? Each November, readers are invited to support the effort and resources that produce Succeed and Soar. Keep this project going and growing. Invest Here. Thanks! Purchases of my art also help. Succeed and Soar‘s first Zoom Chat touched on the origins of the universe, why its beginnings from the explosion of a very tiny particle [the Big Bang] doesn’t make sense, Critical Race Theory’s Pittsburgh origin, how thought becomes physical matter and more. A fascinating and fun discussion. My goal is to build community that shares uplifting, enlightening conversations each first Thursday, 7pm Pittsburgh [Eastern US] time. Mark your calendar! This Ivan Doig novel tells of an eleven-year-old orphan who sets off for adventure instead of an orphanage. I was charmed by this story and felt hugged by the book.Charming, wise, and slyly funny, Last Bus to Wisdom is a last sweet gift from a writer whose books have bestowed untold pleasure on countless readers Book Browse Let’s discuss during December’s Succeed and Soar chat. Chicago Tribute Review Eleanor’s Wisdoms Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with photographs of ‘wild places.’ Art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here
Life’s Great Wheel
This too shall pass. — Eleanor Roosevelt Earth spins at a thousand miles an hour. Our sun hauls its planets through space at 448,000 mph (720,000 km/h), taking 225 million years to circle its galaxy. Goodness knows what the Milky Way orbits and how long that takes. In time, the Atlantic will wear away the rocks in this post’s Featured Art. The setting sun will shine again. While Eleanor Roosevelt is credited with saying, “This too shall pass,” the phrase is three thousand years older. Legend says those words were offered to a Persian monarch who wanted wisdom that would be true in all situations. Abraham Lincoln told this story about joy and sadness, failure and achievement in 1859. So, how can life’s ups and downs be survived … more easily? Zig Ziglar suggested evenly distributing time given to jobs, spiritual and intellectual growth, friendships, family, financial planning and physical care using his Wheel of Life. Think of the circle below as a personal Wheel of Fortune rolling along life’s highways and byways. By staying centered, in the white hub, progress is possible without the ups and downs experienced on the rim. Eleanor’s Insights Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with photographs of ‘wild places.’ These rocks featured in this post were photographed at Martha’s Vineyard. Art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here
Bullies
Updated April 11, 2024 No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. — Eleanor Roosevelt M. Scott Peck’s book The Road Less Traveled, opens with, “Life is difficult.” Until then, I thought life was supposed to be pleasant, despite all evidence to the contrary. Peck, a psychiatrist, further wrote, “Once we truly know that life is difficult-once we truly understand and accept it … the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.” Ideally. Maybe. Mrs. Roosevelt’s words recalled an episode of National Geographic Wild’s Dog Impossible. When attacked by a mean, aggressive bully hound, Pierre a handsome husky, barked back, as though saying, “You’ve got your nerve. You need to take that stupidity somewhere else.” See Pierre in action [Facebook]. Pierre knew a tyrant when he heard-saw one and did not allow oppression. But some don’t recognize browbeaters or second-guess whether they’re being intimidated, in part because there are several types: Physical: When someone tries to physically control another person Verbal: Name calling and teasing Cyber: Hurting others from behind social media screens Emotional: Calculated social manipulation that leaves targeted people feeling isolated and alone. Prejudicial: Attacking those who look or act different. Sexual: Acts that humiliate, shame or physically assault another sexually or their sexuality. See More Why do people bully? VeryWellMind says there are many reasons. Mainly, bullies: Feel powerless Suffer from insecurity Need to control others Enjoy the rewards they get from bullying How can bullies be handled? The eight tips Psychology Today offers include: Keep Your Distance and Keep Your Options Open. Know Your Fundamental Human Rights. Read More. See also Health Direct. BTW, someone may be trying to bully when they say, “Can’t you take a joke?” Read more on jokesters. As Pierre and Mrs. Roosevelt understood, bullying requires two. The one who bullies and the one who consents to being bullied. In either case, these words of wisdom are worth remembering: People who repeatedly attack your confidence and self-esteem are quite aware of your potential, even if you are not. – Wayne Gerard Trotman When a toxic person can no longer control you, they will try to control how others see you. The misinformation will feel unfair, but stay above it, trusting that other people will eventually see the truth, just like you did. – Jill Blakeway, The Minds Journal People who love themselves, don’t hurt other people. – Dan Pearce If they don’t like you for being yourself, be yourself even more. – Taylor Swift What goes around comes back around. – Ancient Proverb For more on dealing with toxic people, see Succeed and Soar’s August 14 post, “Freer Than Ever Before.” NOTE: According to Quote Investigator, a century before Mrs. Roosevelt was credited with this post’s featured quote, the American clergyman William Ellery Channing said, No power in society, no hardship in your condition can depress you, keep you down, in knowledge, power, virtue, influence, but by your own consent. Succeed and Soar! Shop Succeed and Soar’s Eleanor’s Insights Collection Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with my photographs of ‘wild places.’ Of this post’s featured image, I like thinking of these mountains near Grand Junction, Colorado as Spirit Protectors. They look like the fortifications sometimes needed to repel difficult people so that our spirits can grow brighter, more beautiful and beneficent. My art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here
The Princess of Wands
A stumbling block to the pessimist is a stepping stone to the optimist. — Eleanor Roosevelt A story about the Tarot’s Princess of Wands suggests she had to learn to become so courageous, she could fly naked against all opposition. As the Princess crumbled all barriers to her goals, she dragged by the tail the giant tiger, the fears she’d slain. See Princess of Wands Stepping Stones are large, flat rocks that allow crossings of streams or rivers. They can also be turning points, highlights and moments of truth. If ‘Stepping Stone’ were a crossword clue, Wordplay’s Crossword Solver suggests ‘isle,’ a stepping stone for a giant. [Imagine being big enough to need an island-sized footpath.] If ‘Stumbling Block’ were a crossword clue, Wordplay’s Crossword Solver provides 30 solutions, including: roadblock, hurdle, snag, barrier and fly in the ointment. I hunted for some wisdoms about obstacles and found: Take a limitation and turn it into an opportunity. Take an opportunity and turn it into an adventure. – Jo Franz A new challenge keeps the brain kicking and the heart ticking. – E. A. Bucchianeri You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice. – Bob Marley Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle. – Christian Larson More quotes about obstacles. So, how can obstacles be overcome? Psychology Today offers eleven ways, including: STOP: Stop. Take a Step Back Observe. Proceed Mindfully. Find Meaning. Ask: What lesson can be learned? Set Small Goals that can add up to a big achievement. Read more. While in his mid 40s, knowing he had six months of health left, CMU Professor Randy Pausch presented his last lecture. He said many fun and uplifting things. One inspiring reminder was: Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls aren’t there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show us how badly we want things. View Highlights of “The Last Lecture” [39:57] Succeed and Soar! Let’s ZOOM chat for 40 minutes, First THURSDAY, November 4th, 7pm Lots to discuss, including thoughts about “Eleanor’s Insights” and this month’s book, Caroline Myss’ Invisible Acts of Power, Channeling Grace in Everyday Life. Zoom Link will be sent day before Chat. See you soon! Image © Can Stock Photo / vectomart Celebrate Saturday, October 16: National Dictionary Day Noah Webster was born on this date. Did you know that this teacher created the first dictionary in order to define the differences between American and British English? Beyond that purpose, learning words empowers. As the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein said, “The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” [More words, bigger world.] Sunday, October 17: National Pay Back A Friend Day Bank of America created this day to remind that no matter how long it’s been or how much or little is owed, friendships are greater than any debt, especially since research shows money can be a key stressor in friendships. Monday, October 18: National Chocolate Cupcake Day Now, this is an event worth celebrating! Fabulous recipes. Sandra’s Gifts, my online shop at RedBubble.com, shares my art as mouse pads, phone cases and shower curtains, as mugs, dresses, journals, greeting cards and more. Everything is great quality and well priced. What beautiful and inspiring fun! Shop Here Eleanor’s Insights Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with photographs of ‘wild places.’ Of this post’s featured image, My daughters, grandson and I were exploring a remote part of the Lake Erie shore when I spotted this feather, left on the rocks after a bird took flight. My art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here Thanks!
True
True patriotism springs from a belief in the dignity of the individual, freedom and equality not only for Americans but for all people on earth, universal brotherhood and good will. — Eleanor Roosevelt Here’s a fascinating fact: Homo sapiens are too new a species and lack enough genetic diversity to have races. Science has proven: There is not one gene, trait, or characteristic that distinguishes all members of one race from all members of another. We can map any number of traits and none would match our idea of race. This is because modern humans haven’t been around long enough to evolve into different subspecies and we’ve always moved, mated, and mixed our genes. Beneath the skin, we are one of the most genetically similar of all species. Research also shows: Penguins, for example, have twice as much genetic diversity as humans. Fruit flies have 10 times as much. Even our closest living relative, the chimpanzee, has been around at least several million years. There’s more genetic diversity within a group of chimps on a single hillside in Gomba than in the entire human species. Somewhere along the line, in primitive times, the notion of ‘race’ arose. In less educated days, some decided certain tribes, genders, religions, etc. were superior, and everyone else was not only inferior, but should be subjugated. Those archaic attitudes are great ways to offend folks while causing tension, animosities and various forms of hell on Earth. Of our country, the ‘Leader of the Free World,’ Eleanor Roosevelt said, “A number of people still think of the United States as being overwhelmingly English, Protestant, and white. This erroneous idea influences their whole outlook.” As begun in California, such misleading ideas can be fixed. One by one, individual by family by community, by town and commonwealth, we can MEGA [Make Everyone Great Always] instead of MAGA, opening space for the real Maga [Latin and Sanskrit for magic] as achieved by two Olympians in this post’s video [see below]. BTW, as elections approach, I like another lady, Gracie Allen’s recommendation: We favor putting Congress on a commission basis. Pay them for results. If they do a good job and the country prospers, they get 10% of the extra take. If you’d like to Zoom Chat about this post, Let me know. A marvelous story of these two Olympians’ determination to win the top prize. An uplifting, joyful, yup, inspiring conclusion. Click on image to view how Qatar’s Barshim and Italy’s Timberi achieve resolution, or watch here [05:11]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjSCT97GSsA Here, Barshim and Timberi explain their choice for “humanity, solidarity, unity..” [3:11]: View. ***** Special Dates ***** Monday, October 11: Indigenous Peoples Day As some prepare to celebrate Columbus Day on October 11, we’ve got to get real about who really found the continents he thought were India [later named for the Italian mapmaker Amerigo Vespucci]. After all, people had been walking here from Asia, across the Bering Land Bridge [where they lived and farmed and hunted] for over fifteen thousand years. This explains why Columbus met what he called Indians settled here when he arrived. According to Ivan van Sertima’s They Came Before Columbus, centuries before the slave trade, Africans sailed to and influenced Meso-American cultures. Further, Lief Erikson’s Vikings reached Greenland [part of North American continent] five centuries before Columbus. Scandinavians then continued west and settled along the Canadian coast. Read more. Ah well, would be nice to know what the people who really discovered these lands called them. And Columbus Day can be a time to discover Italian culture, history and cuisine [yum]. Map Sources: Pansepol.it & Quizziz.com Celebrate! Tuesday, October 12: National Farmer’s Day and National Savings Day . Visit a pumpkin patch and pick your Jack O’Lantern then add to your savings account. Wednesday, October 13: National M&M Day Did you know 340 million M&Ms are produced daily and the first blue M&M’s appeared in 1995? Let’s ZOOM chat for 40 minutes, First THURSDAY, November 4th, 7pm Lots to discuss, including thoughts about “Eleanor’s Insights” and this month’s book, Caroline Myss’ Invisible Acts of Power, Channeling Grace in Everyday Life. Zoom Link will be sent day before Chat. See you soon! Image © Can Stock Photo / vectomart Eleanor’s Insights Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with photographs of ‘wild places.’ Art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. This post’s featured image is also presented without text in the SkyScapes collection. Shop Here
Your Youngest and Oldest Self
Today is the oldest you’ve ever been, and the youngest you’ll ever be again. — Eleanor Roosevelt This 15th post in Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series prompted three thoughts [let me know what you think]: First: Because, as long as we live, we, um, mature, why not honor the inevitable? As David Bowie said, “Aging is an extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been.” In Japan, China, India and throughout Africa, those who’ve accumulated more years are expected to have gained more wisdom and resources. Greece is a Western country that highly respects its elders, which is instilled in children and displayed through philotimo, “doing good.” Read more. Second: I wondered what advantages come with getting older. Listverse lists ten, which include: Fewer colds Less stress and worry Better sex Read more Third: How can we be happy about getting older? According to Forbes, the answer is: Grow Older. Their research shows that “happiness dips steadily until you hit age 45 or so. Then the happiness curve moves back up.” The reasons can include the perspective gained through age and better coping skills. Read more. Next week, Succeed and Soar moves to a different topic that interested Eleanor Roosevelt. This theme ends her secret to aging happily: Remain interested in life, as active as possible, useful to others, busy, and forward looking. Succeed and Soar! Let’s ZOOM chat for 40 minutes, First THURSDAY, November 4th, 7pm Lots to discuss, including thoughts about “Eleanor’s Insights” and this month’s book, Caroline Myss’ Invisible Acts of Power, Channeling Grace in Everyday Life. Zoom Link will be sent day before Chat. See you soon! Image © Can Stock Photo / vectomart Celebrate! Did you know that October is: Photographer Appreciation Month National Book Month Bully Prevention Month In addition, Wednesday, October 6 offers three fun things to celebrate: Mad Hatter Day National Noodle Day and, yum, National Frappe Day [here are 103 recipes, including a strawberry frappucino and a detox frappe made with clover honey, chia seeds, cinnamon and apples] Eleanor’s Insights Collection Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with photographs of ‘wild places.’ Art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here
Beautiful Forever
Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art. — Eleanor Roosevelt Isn’t the thought delightful that we can take the blank canvas, paper, stone received at birth and learn to paint, compose, sculpt ourselves into works of art? Dapper and elegant Maurice Chevalier said, “Old age is not so bad when you consider the alternative.” In choosing his first option, remember, Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age. – Victor Hugo While the years accrue, keep singer Gwen Stefani’s words in mind, “You’re not getting older, you’re getting more entitled to be your fabulous self.” Hebrew Senior Life reported that an older woman was once asked by a child if she were young or old. The lady answered, “My dear, I have been young a very long time.” To keep looking young as long as possible, here are tips that surprised me: Health.com suggests: Stop sipping through straws. EatThis.com advises: Finish eating before you’re full. Bona Fide Skin Care says the face can be kept from ‘dropping’ by keeping neck and chest muscles loose. One exercise involves opening the mouth wide and making silly faces. Also, roll shoulders gently. Here are maps some have found to The Fountain of Youth. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old. – Franz Kafka Those who love deeply never grow old; they may die of old age, but they die young. – Sir Arthur Wing Pinero There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age. – Sophia Loren Succeed and Soar! Let’s ZOOM chat for 40 minutes, First THURSDAY, November 4th, 7pm Lots to discuss, including thoughts about “Eleanor’s Insights” and this month’s book, Caroline Myss’ Invisible Acts of Power, Channeling Grace in Everyday Life. Zoom Link will be sent day before Chat. See you soon! Image © Can Stock Photo / vectomart Thursday, September 30th is International Podcast Day. Great timing! My first podcast just launched on Yinz Are Good. [‘Yinz’ is Pittsburghese for Y’All or You are.] Here Tressa Glover celebrates the good stuff that’s happening around town, which is what she does so joyfully during the first ten minutes. Then Marshall Cohen, Laurie Moser and I effuse about next year’s Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books. Mark your calendar for May 14, 2022. Listen in. Here’s why. This Week, Also Celebrate Sunday, September 26: Better Breakfast Day Tuesday, September 28, National Ask A Stupid Question Day Friday, October 1, Bake someone’s day on National Homemade Cookies Day Eleanor’s Insights Collection Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with photographs of ‘wild places.’ Art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here