Don’t Forget To Smile!

Don’t Forget To Smile!

An itchy nose and maskne rash notwithstanding, another side effect for many people wearing masks is forgetting to smile. The bottom half of your face is covered, so your eyes become the main form of expression unless you are wearing sunglasses and a hat. Then your face basically disappears. On the creative side, masks have become a new form of expression, a fashion accessory that can match your clothes and offer a message across your face. If wearing a mask is the new normal, give it your personal touch, especially this holiday season. Mask wearing has created funny and not funny outcomes: On the

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Why The Power of the Pen Matters in the Age of Technology

Why The Power of the Pen Matters in the Age of Technology

 Opening an envelope to a hand-written card or letter is a gift in the time of texting and eblasts. #fearlessfabulousyou This time of year, digital holiday greeting cards start flooding my inbox. They begin arriving just after the barrage of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday announcements. One morning, I opened my emails and all I had were notices and offers. Most were from companies or professional coaches and consultants I did not know who wanted me to spend money or sign up for something they offered. Who are all these people and how did they find

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When Breaking Tradition May Be a Good Thing

I have the greatest respect for traditions, especially around the holidays. Maintaining longstanding traditions that are meaningful and joyful are always good for the spirit. They are like the glue that seals the passages of time and bonds you to others and to a sense of place. Many people have special traditions over the holidays, whether it’s familiar dishes or gathering places, decorations or songs, or people to spend time with either at home or away. But sometimes you need to take a break. This can be a delicate matter when it involves family and longtime friends who may not understand

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Him for the Holidays? Tips on Bringing Your Guy Home

I used to dread going home to Chattanooga for the holidays when I was single. My mother would always invite eligible men to various dinners to meet me.  Most often they were soft, menschy types and this gal liked athletic, preppy boys. Some were interested in meeting other men and not me.  I sighed with frustration hearing comments from family friends like, “Such as shame she hasn’t found a nice man yet.” Note, “she” was usually in the room within earshot. My worst holiday dating experience was when I brought my sophomore college boyfriend home after Christmas. My mother came out

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Happy Holicrazy! Tips To Stay Merry and Calm

Given the number of emails filling my inbox and TV segments about dealing with holiday stress I have to wonder, “Are holidays becoming holicrazy?” Are we so stressed over wrapping up the year in a nice package and getting it all done in time that we don’t have time to really enjoy the season? Many of us face shopping for gifts, wrapping up year end finances, planning holiday travel, scheduling the kids’ activities when they are out of school and juggling every day tasks. And then there’s that year-end “taking stock” of your life and making New Year’s resolutions to: lose weight,

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Are You a Nervous Nosher?

Are You a Nervous Nosher?

Holiday times are supposed to be happy times.  Right? Well…Maybe. For many the holidays are stressful. There’s the pressure to “get it all done” before the end of the year. There are the office parties and the family gatherings where you have to be on your best behavior. There’s the financial strain of overspending on gifts and entertaining. And then there’s that end-of-the-year taking stock of what you have- and have not- accomplished. If you feel stressed this time of the year you are not alone. The The American Psychological Association holiday statistics report in 2011 said up to 69% of people are stressed by

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Thoughts on Staying Om for the Holidays

Some people view the holiday season as one of high festivity. Others view it with high anxiety. I bounce back and forth and I find many people feel the same way. Maybe it’s because we are bombarded with temptations to shop more, eat and and drink more and be on our cheeriest best behavior. Maybe it’s because the year is closing to an end and we start to reflect on what has/has not happened in our lives. Maybe we lost someone we loved or have yet to find someone who wants to love us back. For me, I reflect on

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Stress Less Holidays on Fearless Fabulous You! Dec 22

How many of you experience holiday stress or anxiety. I know I do. It’s hard to explain when this should be the “happiest time of the year.” Many feel anxious because they lost a loved during the year, and this is the first holiday season without that person. Others feel the financial strain of buying gifts or a pressure to be “festive” when their feelings are less so. Some may be taking stock of their year or their lives and wondering ‘what’s next?” Many people are simply over-scheduled with holiday events and family obligations and not taking time to relax, exercise or

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Pray It Forward

I am counting my blessings this season and especially during my week long visit to my hometown, Chattanooga, Tennessee. You see, people in the South have a habit of blessing you often and for many reasons, As in: “Have blessed day!”-  Cashiers seem to say this a lot. “God bless you” – Said anytime for any reason. Not limited to sneezing. “Count your blessings” – What people say when you say life is better or just the same. “Did you say the blessing?” – Said before meals and usually after I have started eating. “You have my blessing.” As in

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