Wellness

January 23, 2023

It’s In the Cards

When a vintage poem brings a smile. 😊 Continue reading

Wellness

gratitude, memories, poetry, self-expression, writing
January 18, 2023

Finding the Funny Bones

Put on your dancing shoes…find those funny bones! Continue reading

Wellness

humor, love, memories, self-care
January 15, 2023

When You Crack Yourself Up: The Silly Shorts Edition

When problem solving, start with the most obvious solutions! Continue reading

Wellness

humor, laugher, stupid silly, too many cookies, Wellness
January 11, 2023

Enough

Enough…is a good place to land. Continue reading

Wellness

love, peace, relationships, self-care, Wellness
January 9, 2023

A Few Beads Short

Giggle fits at 3am? I couldn’t help myself… Continue reading

Wellness

humor, laughter, Prince Harry, self-care, sleep deprived
January 8, 2023

You Belong

Humility, love and belonging… Continue reading

Wellness

gratitude, kindness, love
January 6, 2023

See the Good

Gardeners…who make our souls blossom… Continue reading

Wellness

blogging, friendship, gratitude, kindness, love, self-care
January 3, 2023

Big News…

Ever in search of…what matters most! Continue reading

Wellness

community, connection, friendship, gratitude, love, self-care, Wellness
January 1, 2023

Talk Nonsense, You Say?

Maybe I’m bordering on brilliant…it could happen… Continue reading

Wellness

exhausted, giggles, humor, laughter, Wellness
December 29, 2022

Finding Better Days…Together

No gift wrapping required…a gift nonetheless… Continue reading

Wellness

families, grudges, honesty, love, optimism, self-care, sisters, stress
December 24, 2022

Holiday Hugs

Stay connected to those we care about…especially right now. Continue reading

Wellness

be the one, friendship, holiday blues, love, new year, self-care
December 17, 2022

My Kind of Swirl

Brew a pot and join me! Continue reading

Wellness

Design, Inspiration, self-care, teatime
December 15, 2022

Cheers to the New Year!

My optimistic heart is full…ready for 2023… Continue reading

Wellness

blessings, blogging friends, families, gratitude, happy new year, humor, Santa, thank you
December 14, 2022

The Delightful Day

From me to you…sharing my favorite morning meditation for extra swirly days. Continue reading

Wellness

kindness, morning affirmation, self-care, stress relief
December 12, 2022

Beware the Saboteurs!

Knowing how to receive…and pause before responding… Continue reading

Wellness

emotional intelligence, grace under pressure, self regulation theory, self-care
December 9, 2022

Vicki in Wonderland

Get in there girl, you’ve got stories to tell! Continue reading

Wellness

Alice, believe in yourself, creativity, humor, motivation, Queen of Hearts
December 8, 2022

Plate Spinning

Well…shut my mouth! When will I learn? Continue reading

Wellness

communication, grace under pressure, humor, learning from mistakes, stressed out
December 7, 2022

SAYING it Doesn’t Make it So…

I love my sister…but she keeps me on my toes! Continue reading

Wellness

Family, lies, love, truth, Wellness, words matter
December 5, 2022

When You Crack Yourself Up: Merry, Hoppy Xmas

Don’t judge…just laugh along. Please? Continue reading

Wellness

candy, Christmas, cold season, Easter, health and happiness, laughter, silly
December 3, 2022

Forget with Generosity

It’s easier to let you go when I realize you never mattered in the first place… Continue reading

Wellness

letting go, love, Pablo Neruda, poetry, relationships, self-care
December 1, 2022

Steady As She Goes…

I hate winter…but I’m trying not to whine… Continue reading

Wellness

ableism, garage rock, gratitude, Jack White, joy, let's dance, mono-tasking, self-care, self-talk
November 28, 2022

Swoopy Wave of Fun

Apologies to Elton John… Continue reading

Wellness

Elton John, gratitude, heart-shaped leaves, humor, love, Monday magic, nature, Your Song
November 27, 2022

Blogging Ripples…

Coincidence…or collective consciousness? Continue reading

Wellness

blogging, Durkheim, friends, Inspiration, Jung, love, sociology, The Borg
November 25, 2022

You’ve Got The…

Surviving the cloudbursts, the messy, the maddening and the melancholy….. Continue reading

Wellness

holiday blues, love, relationships, self-care, strength, Wellness
November 23, 2022

Blogging Buddies

Yes…I’m talking to you…you’re the best! Continue reading

Wellness

blogging, friendship, gratitude, humor, kindness, love
November 21, 2022

Let the Sunshine Swivel Your Way

Take care of yourself…without losing yourself… Continue reading

Wellness

balance, happiness, love, relationships, self-care
November 20, 2022

The Little Lies We Tell Ourselves…

“Hash Browns”? Fries in disguise…. Continue reading

Wellness

clean eating, fast food, food diary, marketing, nutrition, work-in-progress
November 19, 2022

Gratitude and HATtitude

Smiles for everyone! Continue reading

Wellness

fashion, gratitude, hats, humor, kindness
November 17, 2022

Welcome to My Brain…Days of the Week as “People” in My Head

Laugh along with me…it makes me feel less lonely, despite the annoying voices in my head… Continue reading

Wellness

humor, laughter, self-care, self-talk, silly, stress reduction
November 15, 2022

Frosting with My Morning Coffee…

I’m not a snow lover…but… Continue reading

Wellness

gratitude, love, nature, self-care, snow
November 14, 2022

You Choose…What Matters to You

Ignore the stupid…focus your attention on what matters most…whatever that is for you. Continue reading

Wellness

Einstein, gratitude, humor, love, meaning and mattering, selective attention, self-care, Wellness
November 10, 2022

Red Pen Magic

Red pens? Not scary at all… Continue reading

Wellness

editing, gratitude, persistence, story telling, writing
November 9, 2022

Heart Songs

Positivity and hope are my super powers… Continue reading

Wellness

gratitude, kindness, love, positivity, Rumi
November 8, 2022

Spring in My Step

Summon that sunny attitude…and a little bounce, if you can… Continue reading

Wellness

gratitude, happiness, humor, joy, kindness, mental health, self-care, walking
November 5, 2022

Daring to Share

Capacity for caring…living with light and dark… Continue reading

Wellness

gratitude, marginality vs. mattering, misfits, Nancy Schlossberg, psychology, self-care, self-esteem, self-improvement
November 3, 2022

Goofy is Good

She needed THAT particular hat… Continue reading

Wellness

autumn leaves, gratitude, humor, laughter, love, moms and daughters, parenting
November 2, 2022

Falling in Avignon: Vicki is a Klutz

Body awareness and emotional regulation? Good for all of us, not just we, the klutzy ones. Continue reading

Wellness

body awareness, emotions, humor, psychology, self-awareness, Wellness
November 1, 2022

Ready or Not

I’ve lost the will…to remodel… Continue reading

Wellness

construction, home, home remodeling, humor, interior design, stress
October 31, 2022

Who Needs the Leaves?

Look beyond the leaves…the beauty is still there… Continue reading

Wellness

gratitude, happiness, kindness, love, nature, seasons, self-care
October 26, 2022

The Truth I Tripped Over

The road to insight is bumpy, but I get there… Continue reading

Wellness

artists, creativity, family history, humor, legacies, meditation, motivation, T.S. Eliot, writers
October 22, 2022

C’mon…We Can Do This…

I don’t want to give you ‘side eye’… Continue reading

Wellness

Adam Grant, enemies, friends, love, self-care, sisterhood, Wellness, workplace stress
October 20, 2022

Darkness & Light

No superhero cape required…you’ve got this… Continue reading

Wellness

Jung, love, Nietzsche, philosophy, psychology, resilience, survivors
October 19, 2022

Gratitude, Aesthetics & Muffins

I know I do this to myself…but it’s me! Continue reading

Wellness

gratitude, health care professionals, humor, kindness, muffins, philosophy, thank you
October 17, 2022

Be the One

Love and kindness are everything… Continue reading

Wellness

Family, gratitude, kindness, love, self-care, Wellness
October 13, 2022

One Foot…in Front of the Other

Moving through the middle is the hardest part… Continue reading

Wellness

confidence, hope, love, motivation, self-care, stress, Wellness
October 12, 2022

Be More than Mona

We can do better than Mona Lisa, can’t we? Continue reading

Wellness

authenticity, Duchenne smile, happiness, helping hearts, love
October 10, 2022

Yes, I See You

Second chances and trees that please… Continue reading

Wellness

fall colors, good morning, gratitude, nature, second chances, trees, underdogs, Wellness
October 9, 2022

Hey There, Blank Page…

Don’t mind me…I’m just chillin’ and chiseling. Continue reading

Wellness

encouragement, gratitude, humor, self-expression, Wellness, writing
October 8, 2022

When You Crack Yourself Up – Part Deux

Just let go and dance… Continue reading

Wellness

dancing in the car, Ed Sheeran, humor, music, Shivers
October 7, 2022

Shine On…

I love the phrase “You Do You”… Continue reading

Wellness

authenticity, confidence, insecurities, self-care, Wellness, workplace stress
October 4, 2022

Girl Power

Song or anthem? Either way, this one speaks to me. Continue reading

Wellness

body positivity, feminism, girl power, Jax, Victoria's Secret, Wellness
October 3, 2022

Like a Rainbow

“I choose this” Gwen said… Continue reading

Wellness

dignity, food insecurity, gratitude, helping hearts, homeless, housing insecurity, love
September 30, 2022

The Yodas Don’t Lie

My Yodas have spoken: Do it Anyway. Encouragement when I needed it the most. Continue reading

Wellness

blogging, confidence, encouragement, gratitude, humor, motivation, resilience, self-care, writing, Yoda
September 24, 2022

Rescue Ralph

Wisdom that stands the test of time…from my favorite Ralph… Continue reading

Wellness

humor, Inspiration, Ralph Waldo Emerson, self-care, Wreck it Ralph
September 23, 2022

Not Much of a Navigator

I can’t decide for you…but I’m here to help just the same… Continue reading

Wellness

empowerment, friendship, listening, self-care, Wellness
September 22, 2022

Morning Stripe

The pink stripe in the morning sky heralds the change of seasons… Continue reading

Wellness

comfy, fall, gratitude, self-care, sunrise, sweatshirts
September 21, 2022

Hollyhocks and Resilience

It was never the hollyhock’s fault… Continue reading

Wellness

family history, humor, moms and daughters, resilience, survivor, Wellness
September 20, 2022

“Begin Again”

A great movie nurtures my soul – filling me with happy! 😊 Continue reading

Wellness

"Begin Again", artists, genius, happiness, magic, movies, music
September 18, 2022

Turn Down the LOUD

Learning to deal with LOUD…sounds as anxiety triggers. Continue reading

Wellness

anxiety, Highly sensitive persons, HSP, noise, self-care, sound sensitivity, Wellness
September 13, 2022

Time-Tested Advice

Loving and wise health advice from a distant colleague…eventually, it stuck! Continue reading

Wellness

eating well, food diary, nutrition, Pilates, pizza, walking, Wellness
September 12, 2022

Smallest Act of Caring

Unexpected and wonderful – kindness and caring, Costco style. Continue reading

Wellness

caring, Costco, gratitude, kindness, love, Martin Luther King Jr, moms
September 11, 2022

When You Crack Yourself Up

Best laughter? Giggling at our own mistakes! Continue reading

Wellness

blogging, humor, laughter, self-care, typos
September 9, 2022

Don’t Say It…Don’t Say It

Mark Twain and Paul McCartney…my unlikely self-restraint superheroes! Continue reading

Wellness

communication, humor, mark twain, paul mccartney, self-improvement
September 7, 2022

Creativity and Professor Plum

Wisdom from a beloved professor…’write or die’… Continue reading

Wellness

confidence, creativity, expression, inner critics, mentors, writing
September 6, 2022

Laugh Track with Lisa 😊

A tale of Jungian insight over a bowl of brownie batter. Continue reading

Wellness

ambivert, Carl Jung, extraversion, Family, introversion, listening, love, self-care, stress
August 27, 2022

Love, Magic, Wonder

Three words that matter most to me… Continue reading

Wellness

confidence, happiness, love, self-esteem, self-talk, Wellness
August 23, 2022

Nature Speaks

A reminder to pause and admire… Continue reading

Wellness

flowers, gratitude, nature, Wellness
August 22, 2022

Monday MEOW

Start the day anew – make your bed! Continue reading

Wellness

Admiral McRaven, make your bed, self-care, stress, Wellness
August 21, 2022

At the Barbeque

The power of a heartfelt compliment. Continue reading

Wellness

be the light, compliments, confidence, employee morale, gratitude, kindness, self-esteem, Wellness
August 19, 2022

Allergies, anyone?

Soothing allergy eyes – the simple way! Continue reading

Wellness

allergies, puffy eyes, tips and tricks, Wellness
August 18, 2022

Passing Through

Mulling over…the people in our lives and work/life balance. Continue reading

Wellness

Eleanor Tweddel, gratitude, huffpost UK, relationships, Wellness, work
August 16, 2022

Confident – From the Inside Out

Empowerment and encouragement to be confident without relying on external validation. Continue reading

Wellness

confidence, happiness, self-esteem, Wellness
August 15, 2022

Fool the Eye – Sea or Sky?

Look for the magic. Roald Dahl quote. Continue reading

Wellness

gratitude, nature, photography
August 12, 2022

Fisherman Joe

Managing expectations and remembering to be joyful. Continue reading

Wellness

Family, fishing, happiness, joy
August 10, 2022

Sadie & Bunny

Importance of giving pets their favorite toys to snuggle with. Continue reading

Wellness

Family, puppy love
August 7, 2022

Words Matter

Improving communication by being careful about choice of words and tone. Continue reading

Wellness

communication, relationships
August 6, 2022

Quietly Quitting?

“Quietly quitting” may prevent finding fulfilling and joyful work. Continue reading

Wellness

#quietlyquitting, joy, workplace
August 5, 2022

Gratitude Glimpse

Seneca happiness quote Continue reading

Wellness

gratitude, happiness, seneca
August 4, 2022

My Kind of Swirl

Slowing down for teatime and avoiding stress. Continue reading

Wellness

relationships, teatime
August 3, 2022

Unfinished

Learning to live with unfinished business. Continue reading

Wellness

flexibility, lifehack
August 2, 2022

Ticking Tock

Being choosey about how we spend our most valuable assets: time. Continue reading

Wellness

positivity, time management
August 1, 2022

Thinking Chairs

Everyone needs a place to think and ponder: thinking chairs. Continue reading

Wellness

lifehack, thinkingchair
July 29, 2022

Perfectly Imperfect

Loving the imperfect treasured objects in our homes. Continue reading

Wellness

#perfectlyimperfect, vintage
July 23, 2022

Baby Bird

Nature study of a baby bird and mama bird. Continue reading

Wellness

gratitude, nature
July 20, 2022

Sadie Girl

Wellness reminders from beloved family pets on a hot day. Continue reading

Wellness

gratitude, puppy

“Surviving Sue”, a special story about resiliency and love: Eckhartz Press (paperback) and eBook on Amazon.

Peek Inside “Surviving Sue“

Visit Resources on Atkinson Group Solutions for more.

Podcasts

Listen to the “Sharing the Heart of the Matter” podcast.

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Workshops

Chicago Writers Association Speakers Bureau – Writing for Wellness; Navigating Elder Care with Grace & Humor; How to Create a Writing Platform; AI for Caregivers

About Me

Learn about five books that inspired and supported my writing journey by visiting my personalized book review page on Shepherd.

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