Jane Isay writes eloquently about her marriage to a gay Psychiatrist in her book and cover story in Psychology Today magazine. She lived a lie for over a decade of marriage before her husband told her the truth. As she acknowledged, Ms. Isay preferred to live a fantasy of the perfect marriage than face the truth of a marriage devoid of sexual intimacy. Once his secret was out, they continued to live a lie with their friends, family, and professional community for years until it became nearly impossible to continue. read more

The Wegener brothers have reinvigorated old Hawaiian wooden surf board designs that have certain advantages over regular foam and fiberglass designs. The Paipo, a small wooden board that almost resembles a boogie board is especially good in smaller surf which is way more common than the big waves. read more

I enjoy the Corner Office section of the Sunday Business section of The New York Times. This week Mr. Bryant interviews Penny Pritzker, the U.S. Commerce Secretary and successful businesswoman. Her family built the Hyatt Hotel chain. She learned the value of passion, commitment, energy, and desire to learn from her father who valued those traits above all. She also regards Integrity to be paramount in the hiring process. Ms. Pritzker discusses the importance of becoming a better listener too, especially as it pertains to management and decision making. read more

Not only have I enjoyed Jim Nantz’s sports broadcasting over the years but I have met him personally! Several times, I’ve ran into him at the Organic Market in Westport, CT where I currently reside. He is also a member of Stanwich Golf Club in Greenwich, CT. Once, I saw him on the putting green there and introduced myself. He offered me his membership number to charge food on him if I wanted? I politely declined but was impressed with his spontaneous generosity, something I practice and teach. Five minutes later, he provided commentary like he does on television as I prepared to tee off. I nailed a three wood two hundred and forty yards right down the middle of the fairway only to chunk a wedge once he was out of sight five minutes later. I will never forget that experience and I’d like to congratulate him on the his dedication and service to game of golf and beyond. The world is a better place with guys like Jim Nantz in it! read more

I’ve been working on a novel for nearly two years now and I find that when I travel I tend to write more and more effortlessly! There are a billion reasons to travel but several stand out: getting out of your all too familiar local area no matter how cool it is tends to free the mind and offer new stimulating opportunities that free creativity! The other is that you can meet new or different people and learn different perspectives on life and business. Obviously, you don’t need to travel for this but often the act of going some place new and different opens the mind and Spirit! Sometimes, my girlfriend and I just drive up the Connecticut coast. Other times, I travel solo or do travel writing gigs! The picture above is of South Florida where I am currently experiencing a short break from the bitter cold, visiting friends, and writing! read more

David Miliband, the former British politician, is reinventing himself in New York working for The International Rescue Committee, a nonprofit focused on helping the world of refugees. This Sunday Styles article made me think about the need to stay flexible and fluid in life and business, something I teach often. After losing the Labor Party leadership to his brother, he moved to New York with his family to start over. He’s obviously a smart, talented guy but the important message for you and me is that’s it’s never too late to reinvent oneself. It takes passion, patience and perseverance for many, especially if we are less talented and less connected. But what’s the alternative? Stagnation? Medication? Limbo? No way! read more

Friedman’s thoughts in the Review section of this week’s Sunday New York Times are worth considering. American workers are increasingly less competitive with other nations like India, China, Singapore, Poland, and Germany to name a few. The problems are systemic. We simply don’t do a good enough job educating our children to compete in an increasingly globalized and competitive world. The top ten percent of America now take home fifty percent of the national income. Income inequality is increasing. One solution is to learn from other countries who do a better job of providing autonomy, accountability, and ownership on a teaching and student level and who spend more per capita on less advantaged children. Having worked in inner city environments for years I have seen firsthand the systemic issues that create dynamics where poor and underprivileged children fall far behind their wealthier piers even by age five and certainly by age ten. We can and must do better! read more

As a life coach, I encourage clients to spend more time in nature. Sometimes, I take people I am working with over bridges near where my parents live because the rushing water is so powerful that it makes it nearly impossible for them to remain in their heads – in other words, to have excessive thoughts. If we want to truly live, we need to get in more in our hearts and much less in our heads!  Just some food for thought!! read more

This New York Times Travel section article on Malta reminded me of why international travel is so amazing! The more you experience, the more you know! People who travel a lot and interact with different people, cultures and civilizations often learn that the world is dynamic, complex and super-interesting. Too many of us are bored in our every day lives. With so much diversity and so much to learn we can learn to live without ever being bored. Developing a sense of wonder, awe, and curiosity along with an expansive mindset is a foundation to really living. Not only have I traveled internationally quite often but I’ve lived in many different parts of the United States and loved it! It’s an amazing world and the U.S. is a big country – the more open minded and adventurous we are, the more we experience the wonder! read more

Remo Ruffini talks about his likes and dislikes in this 20 Odd Question edit by J.J. Martin of The Wall Street Journal. I like reading about entrepreneurs in general and this article caught my eye. He states: “A man with ugly socks is telling me that he doesn’t have elegance.” I don’t normally associate elegance with men or read about fashion but reading that quote had me stretch my mind a little. Can straight men still be elegant and masculine at the same time? I found myself wondering. I will give it some more thought and pay more attention now – that’s the beauty of opening one’s mind to new concepts and ideas, a great way to live! read more