Hope Boulevard by J. Hope Suis

When You’re Ready To Go.….Where to Go? You have both agreed to GO on a First Date! Whew! Big hurdle cleared there. Now....the planning starts.  The possibilities are endless when it comes to locations for the first date. The key is to be open to the suggestions of the other person and to use some common interests you may have already discovered. It can be quiet and romantic, which is conducive for talking and listening if your goal is to gather more information; a restaurant with outdoor seating if the weather is good, or one with a cozy corner booth and fireplace if cold. You could go to a museum, an exhibit or even a movie. I have mixed feelings about a movie. Statistically more people respond favorably to a movie as a first date than any other suggestion. I am not sure if that is because it limits the amount of conversation that has to take place, or if people just enjoy a good movie. A movie definitely inhibits talking and finding out more about the other per

In today’s Western society we put a high value on new, pristine items. We have no shame in removing and replacing damaged or broken objects from our lives, whether they are tangible ornaments or shattered people. Value is assigned and increased if there are no visible signs of flaws. And we have it all wrong. The Japanese hold a much greater appreciation for the overall beauty and history of an object and go to great lengths to preserve it. Kintsugi is the 500-year-old Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with liquid gold or silver. The name literally means ‘golden joinery’ and the philosophy behind it believes the cracks or breaks are part of the history and journey of the object and something to be treasured and not disguised or discarded. In fact, the repair is literally highlighted with the precious metals and now becomes the focal point of the beautiful piece.   Muneaki Shimode is the youngest professional Kintsugi craftsman in Japan and at the age of 27 here are

Regardless of age, we all feel excitement and a little nervous about a first date. This is your moment to shine and make a good impression. You are very hopeful your date will also make a good impression. There are many dynamics going on and it is best not to get too wrapped up in the details and just relax and be yourself. As comfortable as it is to sit all cozy at your home in your PJs chatting with someone online, you will never know if there is any real connection until you are face to face. (However, this should never take place  in  your home OR  in  your PJs.) After you have connected with someone and sent a few emails, the anticipation is building towards meeting them in person.  Some people want to go straight from an email to meeting at Starbucks, and while I understand this is tempting, I recommend talking on the phone at least once before agreeing to meet. There is something about having an actual conversation with a person that reveals much more than a written e

May is Women's Health Month. As we approach a holiday that focuses on the beauty of motherhood, I would like to take a few minutes to talk about an issue that impacts women everywhere but rarely discussed. Mother’s Day is this Sunday, and whether you are scrolling through social media, walking through Hallmark or watching commercials on TV, it is celebrated as the joyous blessing of motherhood. But what if being a mother isn’t exactly joyous? What about the mothers who struggle to find peace and balance? Postpartum depression and anxiety disorders are a difficult reality for approximately 15% of new mothers, with the numbers growing and the mental health community working to bring it out of the shadows. These women love their children fiercely but have a challenging time adjusting to the demands and the new life they are now responsible for. The stories are heart-wrenching of women who carry tremendous guilt for feeling lost, sad, immobilized with fear at a time when they

The #1 theme of motivational quotes all over the internet and social media is an endless variety of Follow Your Dreams. There is an enormous amount of information on why we should, but not too much is said about the price. Taking a leap of faith to pursue a dream can be a lonely journey. You start out with excitement and the adrenaline propels you forward. You become razor focused and sometimes put blinders on to fade out the distractions. Once you start on this course, it can take on a life of its own. That is not a bad thing. Channeling energy into one purpose yields results, but it leaves other pursuits with little or no energy to thrive. You watch as certain parts of your life pass by or begin to fade and then the doubt slowly surfaces. So what are the dues paid to the Keeper O’ The Dreams? The obvious one is MONEY. Few dreams are handed out free of charge. The bankers call it an investment, but regardless of the label attached to it, it is still funds, moolah, doug