A 2014 Mom's Choice Gold Award winning author and illustrator, C.L. Murphy (Cathy) has been doodling her way through life since she won a school wide poster contest in the third grade. Working as an artist in residence, creating cartoons and painting murals with the children at local elementary schools, C.L. filed away her picture book ideas away for years. Fortunately for us and the children we love, the reality of "empty nest syndrome" sunk in: C.L. brought her dreams to fruition in the character, Lovable Lobo. THE ADVENTURES OF LOVABLE … [Read more...]
The Power to Build: Elena Balasa
March 7, 2016
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At age 10, Elena Balasa’s father asked her what she’d do if their home in Romania burned down and she had nothing left. “I will be desperate and I will cry so hard,” Elena replied. “No,” her father said, “You will think of what you need to do so you can build a better house than before.” Starting over, metaphorically building a better house, is how Elena lives her life. Engineers, Elena and her "college sweetheart" husband began trying to immigrate legally to the U.S. in 1990—with no success. After becoming Canadian residents, in 2003 … [Read more...]
The Courage to Be Yourself: Susan Caba
December 14, 2015
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She's written nonfiction books. She's been published in the New York Times. She's written short, serious pieces and social media posts that make me belly laugh. In fact, Susan Caba can write about anything, the most boring topics imaginable, and make them compelling. Her writing looks simple. Its looks like it was easy putting those words together. Oh how I envy that. I've noticed how Susan sometimes forgets the gift she possesses: making good writing look easy. Perhaps she, like her readers, focuses on the smooth-flowing end product, … [Read more...]
Define Values, Take Leaps: Dr. Helen Richardson
November 30, 2015
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Dr. Helen Richardson likes taking leaps and encourages us to take some too. A Consultant Surgeon for eight years, Helen took a big (and slightly scary!) leap into a management position. After a few very fulfilling years, a series of restructures meant that Helen found herself in a situation in which she felt she could not remain true to her values, or produce her best work. Another big leap. Helen left the National Health Service and now works as an independent educational advisor involved in quality assurance and strategy for UK health … [Read more...]
Simplify Your Life: Beth Bracaglia
October 5, 2015
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Want a calm, simple(r) life? Beth Bracaglia can definitely help. Beth firmly believes that for every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned: its that simple. Well, almost… Beth, Simply Organized Today's Chief Organizing Officer|Simplicity Coach, shares more about how she defines "simple life" and how she overcame fears to achieve hers: A simple life entails getting rid of the chaos and finding calm. We are all very busy people, but I found the more I began taking care of myself by saying 'No' to more things that no longer interested me … [Read more...]
