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Browse every published article connected to Sally Marks, with exact attribution and full-archive search.
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Browse every published article connected to Sally Marks, or search within this exact expert archive.
Like most people, I don’t like change. Yes, change is inevitable. Yes, change is the only way to improve and grow. If people don’t change, like a soiled diaper, things begin to stink. Blah, blah, blah. I know it, I accept it, and as a self-improvement writer, I even write about it. But it doesn’t mea I like it.
Even though the hoopla of Super Bowl XLIX is over ,Glendale, Arizona is still a great destination. Smart lovers are heading to The Village of Arrowhead Shopping Center, 20022 N. 67th Ave. in Glendale for Valentine’s Day shopping. The shopping plaza, with its cobblestone-accentuated walkways, wrought-iron flourishes, faux stone accents and bubbling fountain, creates a perfect, romantic venue for lovers to peruse unique shops while enjoying Glendale’s balmy February weather.
Do you remember when you were young, made a mistake in a game and asked for “do overs?” That’s what it felt like when I recently listened to an interview I had on The Author’s Show, http://www.theauthorsshow.com/
Throughout my life I have heard, read and studied about the importance of becoming a warm and loving human being. Below is one of my favorite quotes. "More valuable than treasures in a storehouse are treasures of the body, and the treasures of the heart are the most valuable of all. Strive to accumulate the treasures of the heart!" Nichiren Daishonin. This quote from a Buddhist priest and the founder of Nichiren Buddhism, is one example of how developing our hearts and compassion is more important than accumulating material wealth. This is not unique to Buddhism.
Through the years I have heard people make fun of philosophers who contemplate their navels in an ivory tower. Why an ivory tower? Maybe the lighting is better. I don’t know about you, but my belly button is a cute little “innie” and it would be hard to contemplate it properly without proper illumination. But my navel contemplation is more quizzical than philosophical. I recently had a laparoscopic appendectomy. My abdomen has a couple small bandages – left side, right side and a small cut above my navel so the surgeon could poke around, find, and remove my inflamed appendix.
As we all sit down to prepare for our annual tax filing, it is come to my attention that businesses of every size will be affected by the AFA. Everyone will feel additional pain with respect to the Affordable Care Act or Obama Care. The small business owner will face new taxes on investment income and an additional Medicare tax. The Medicare tax is an increase of .9% for filers with income of at least $200,000 (assuming single status). There is a surtax of 3.8% on net investment income for earners above $200,000 (assuming single status).
I recently trotted my two granddaughters off to the discount theater to see How to Train Your Dragon 2. It was a hot, Saturday afte oon and the place was packed. In order to sit together we were forced to take a front row seat. One thing about this vantage point is you feel like you’re rubbing noses with the screen (which, if I had sneezed, I would’ve been.) But it was great fun.
My spouse, CB, and I watched a mama bunny prepare a nest for her soon-to-be babies. It was fascinating to watch the cotton tail hop back and forth and bring twigs into the borough she prepared. Afterward she removed little rocks and sifted through the dirt to prepare the abode for her new arrivals. Now the hole is covered up and we have not seen the bunny (we are trying not to scare her) but I’m assuming she is in the hole with her babies.
Have you attempted to break family patterns (like improving yourself by going to college) and met with resistance? Perhaps you developed an innovative approach to solve a problem at work only to be told “That’s not how we do things here.” If so, don’t despair. Here is a little story in honor of Easter to help shine a new perspective on old habits. It’s taken from our book, Erase Negativity and Embrace the Magic Within.
I was recently interviewed on World Talk Radio, American Dreams: The Sky is the Limit. I had not been feeling that well earlier in the day, and I also had some conce s about the phone working properly. However, once I started chatting with the hosts, Jin Robertson and her daughter, Jasmin, I perked up. Optimistic and caring people have a positive effect on me. And of course pessimistic and selfish folks have a depleting effect. After the interview I was able to go for a two-hour walk and enjoy all the beauty around me.
It’s raining. In fact it has been raining most of the day. I’m from Arizona where rain is not a regular occurrence, so when I encounter a long bout of soppy weather I get a bit incredulous. “You’ve been at this all day, don’t you think it’s time to move on?” I say to the clouds outside my window. Of course the rain doesn’t listen to me. It just keeps plink, plink, plinking on the roof, the patio and my muddy yard.
I try to be green, but I’m a little lazy – I mean busy. In spite of my sloth, one of the ways I choose to conserve energy is restricting my use of the clothes dryer.
Have you ever looked for something only to find out it was right in front of you the whole time? It amazes me how things can be so elusive, yet so obvious. I had yet another example of this phenomenon when a friend was helping me with the manuscript of my book. I have looked through this manuscript numerous times, yet there it was, in plain view, several obvious errors that I missed. Tsk, tsk.
Someone sent me this joke and I saved it. I’m printing it as a topic for this self growth article. Squirrels had overrun three churches in town. After much prayer, the elders of the first church determined that the animals were predestined to be there. "Who are we to interfere with God's will?" they reasoned. Soon, the squirrels multiplied. The elders of the second church, deciding that they could not harm any of God's creatures, humanely trapped the squirrels and set them free outside of town. Three days later, the squirrels were back.
One of the most challenging experiences I have in my daily life is to stay focused on the present moment. It is so easy for my mind to skip forward to the future or lapse into stale memories. Although I’d like to think I’m older and wiser, I have found children are much better at enjoying (or being grumpy about) what is happening right now. If you don’t believe me, try convincing an infant to wait two hours to be fed, or a three-year old with a full bladder he or she can wait until you get home to pee.
When I was a little girl I loved to play “pretend.” I imagined lots of different scenarios from being the first female baseball player for the Chicago Cubs to flying like Superman. I had a friend, Teresa, who would pretend with me. We also put on little performances. I only have a vague recollection of the entertainment, but I do remember singing, “Side by Side,” by Harry Lucas. It was written the year my mother was born, so it was an oldie even when I was a youngster. My favorite chorus was: Oh, we ain't got a barrel of money, Maybe we're ragged and funnyr But we'll travel alongr
I enjoy traveling, seeing new sights and soaking up the culture of other places. I recently had the opportunity to live and work in the Pacific Northwest for six weeks. The Washington coast could not be more different than the Arizona desert I’ve known and lived for most of my life. Yet, when I returned home, trading the emerald-colored trees, cool temperatures and the snow capped mountain peaks of Hurricane Ridge for the dusty brown, hot and dry Arizona desert, I still felt a sense of relief. I was home again.
I’m a reformed joker. I used to be the life of the party, but sadly gag-telling seems to be relegated to the internet these days. Now I’m a rusty. My humor is limited to things I can write about. The advantage of writing comedy, as opposed to performing it, is you get a chance to fix potential problems without having to worry about someone lobbing a tomato at your head. Although with the cost of fresh produce, perhaps I could save a few bucks and take a basket on stage with me instead of heading off to the local grocery store. But I digress.r
I enjoy outings with my granddaughters and teaching them things. However there are times I find I learn something valuable from THEM. The girls and I went shopping for a birthday gift for their mom (we picked out a handbag) and I bought Rosannah and Briannah matching Easter dresses. In fact each outfit had corresponding clothes for their dolls. Maybe it’s a grandma thing but I like to buy things that match. The coordinating doll outfits were probably a bit much, but Jackie and Rainbow (the girl’s dolls) needed some new duds.
I have heard the expression “Dumb Bunny” used for years. Our pet rabbit does not appreciate this term. Tinkles is a sensitive creature and a tad grouchy. I don’t want to upset him so I try not to use the “dumb bunny” idiom. In fact, our pet is not only a smart little hopper, he was a catalyst for an enlightening experience.
I remember the phrase “sock it to me” from my childhood days in the 1960s. I was a big fan of the television show Rowan and Martin’s “Laugh In.” Now that I’m older I have a different “sock it to me” tradition. Shortly after Thanksgiving I don my Christmas socks. I don’t know why, but this annual event makes me happy.
In a cynical moment while posting on facebook (and yes, even the author of a self help book can have a bloody snark attack on occasion) I wrote that I couldn’t decide what was more exciting – writing or pulling weeds. My niece, Lisa, quickly responded that I should write. I began a new blog article, “The Cross-eyed Optimist.” Ironically, I can’t find it. Hopefully it will turn up in my files in the future.
Why is it some small businesses thrive and others fail? As a CPA specializing in financial strategies such as accounting, cash management, budget/forecasts, bookkeeping and more, I have gained some insight on why some companies thrive and others are forced to close their doors. While the dynamics of each organization may vary, there are a few principles that all small business owners can use to increase their chances of success. These five success principles include: • Networking • Confidence • Perseverance • Consistency • A Little Luck
I am in my own state of shock. My friend, Marsha, called this morning to tell me that her daughter, Lauren, had committed suicide. She was 34 years old, the same age as my oldest daughter, Alicia. I’ve know Marsha since we attended Kino Junior High together. Some 15 years later Marsha, our good friend, Di, and I delivered baby girls in the same year.
In a recent interview I was asked, “What can people do to embrace the magic within?” Embrace the Magic Within is the subtitle of my book. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting this question (I’m new at being on the receiving end of an interview after all!) The short response is the two main components are to: A: Erase negativity. B: Develop a grateful attitude.
I was interviewed by Vickie Champion on a series of questions of “Things I Wish I knew in my 20s about (money, relationships, health etc.) I’m one of several men and women who are featured on her you tube site. Here are my thoughts on “What I wish I knew in my 20s about money.”
I used to be a smart aleck. I suppose if there were a “Smart Assoholics” group I would have considered attending, but I never mustered the courage to look into it. Can you imagine calling and asking someone, “Can you tell me when the Smart Assoholics Group meets?” The members would either ignore you and or assume you were being a smart aleck for asking such a question.
I was recently at a meeting where George Nakamura quoted a story by Buddhist Leader and Author Daisaku Ikeda. In this story, Ikeda asked the audience to imagine their biggest dream or heart’s desire was within reach. However, there was a catch. Separating them from the dream is a big river and there is no bridge, no boat and you can’t swim. What do you do?
I love movies. I not only enjoy the spectacle, the humor, drama and music, I find it satisfying to absorb the moral of the story through the comfort of a cushy seat in an air conditioned theater.
When I think about the importance of gratitude a popular refrain from Joni Mitchell’s hit, Big Yellow Taxi comes to mind. “Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone. They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.” The song has been covered by numerous bands throughout the years and its message is as relevant now as ever. Some consider it a protest song against corporate greed and a wakeup call to protect the environment. I embrace that message, but I also see the song as a call to action to appreciate what we have in our lives.
Sometimes I think I’m smarter when I’m unconscious. In various religions, particularly Buddhism, the sages talk about the benefits of an “awakened state.” However I think there is a lot of wisdom in our dream-state while snoozing. Let me explain.
I had to follow my own advice the other day. A hacker figured out my password and sent emails to dozens of my contacts asking for money. Apparently the email described that I was off in Spain, lost my wallet and needed $3,000. I contacted yahoo, changed my password and have been responding to folks that I’m okay and not to fall for this scam. Ironically, folks who know me thought this was odd for several reasons: A: I’m not the type who would jaunt off to Spain and not tell people about it.
I recently went on a road trip along the Pacific Coast. I was awed by the majestic Redwoods that stood like proud titans protecting our nation’s sacred lands and wildlife. While driving along the highway with towering trees on either side of the road, CB, my nature-loving spouse, remarked it was like driving through a church. In fact, the light filtering through the trees was reminiscent of pictures I saw in an illustrated storybook of Bible stories that I enjoyed as a young girl.
Have you ever wished you had a “refresh” button for your life? We acquire a fair amount of knowledge from study and personal experience, but at times it seems all it takes are a few setbacks, and poof, we revert to our old bad habits. It happened to me.
Our tax season will be upon us very soon. The IRS says it will be ready for the onslaught of returns beginning January 20, 2015. Many people look forward to getting their W-2. They proceed to file their taxes and claim their long awaited refund. I do not get excited by receiving such documents. I usually have to pay a small amount to the IRS each year. I look to break even with the IRS. I do not like giving the IRS extra funds throughout the year just so I can get a refund back from them. I am selfish this way.
I love trees. When I was a young girl I liked to climb in any tree that would hold my skinny, little body. My favorite was a mulberry tree in our backyard. Sometimes I would take my dolls up with me. I was a bit of an anomaly, a tomboy who liked dolls. I guess I thought my vinyl children would appreciate the view.
I am green. No, I’m not talking about the color associated with envy or a hair-color-gone-wrong experiment. I’m talking about the color of my aura. Years ago on my frequent treks from hot and conservative Mesa, AZ to cool and mystical, Sedona, I noticed signs about aura readings and was curious about the subject. However, I harbored my fair share of skepticism. I didn’t dispute the existence of auras, I just wasn’t sure I believed the merchant’s claims that they could read or photograph the energy.
I’ve been thinking about my dad lately. Father’s Day is approaching and even though my pop died more than 15 years, I still think about what kind of gift he might like to have for Father’s Day. Dad had a weird sense of humor and wasn’t particularly helpful when we asked him for gift suggestions. Each year it was the same. Me: “Dad, what do you want for Father’s Day?” Dad: “A new butt. Mine’s cracked.”
This is a time of miracles. Hanukah begins tonight. The word Hanukah means “rededication” and celebrates Jewish heroes who rededicated themselves to faith and principles in spite of a religious oppression. Christmas is the annual celebration commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Both holidays remind us of miracles – both past, present and future.r
I have always enjoyed being around children. I admire their honesty and openness. My grandchildren are two and four years old. They see wonder in everything. In fact, Briannah, the younger of “the girls” as I call them, “wonders” about everything. She is always asking “why?”
When I was six weeks old my mother noticed my right eye turned in. I think I was checking out my nose. People stick their faces close to a baby’s and I saw some real honkers on some of the folks who were cooing at me. My guess is I wanted to make sure I didn’t grow a Pinocchio schnoozola in the middle of MY countenance.
Today is the 4th of July, or Independence Day in the USA. One of my favorite phrases in the Declaration of Independence is: “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” I am not alone in my admiration. Wikipedia states this line is considered by some as one of most well crafted, influential sentences in the history of the English language.r
I woke up today feeling stronger, younger and more alert. This may not seem like news to you, but anyone who has seen me in the morning (prior to my infusion of coffee) would find this a minor miracle. The difference is I had a rolfing session yesterday and the invigorating effects spilled over and hopefully will help launch me into a more energized weekend. For those of you who are not familiar with rolfing, it is a technique of deep muscular manipulation and massage for the relief of bodily and emotional tension. Rolfing is like electricity. I don’t understand it but I enjoy its rewards.
I need to get out more often. I’m a social animal, but it seems like I spend more time with my computer than among the living. That is why it was a treat to come to Red Bluff, Califo ia over the recent Memorial Day holiday. I launched my Northern Califo ia book tour and Red Bluff was my second stop. I gave a talk and book signing at Crystal Art & Apparel. Wilma, the owner, organized a wonderful affair, the Red Bluff Daily News ran a press release about the event and the nearby Redding Record Searchlight ran a ¾ -page article on the front page of the Community Section.
Next week is Thanksgiving. Many of us will have the opportunity to dine with family and friends for a special once-a-year meal. Many look forward to this event with anticipation – some with dread. And I confess, in my life I have approached this holiday with both mindsets. I have seen the confidence of the strongest, most confident men and women become mushier than a bowl of mashed potatoes at the thought of facing the snide comments, comparisons and cruelty that some of our relatives bring to the holiday table.r
I have a confession to make. I love Harry Potter. I’ve read all of the books and watched all the movies. However, while sitting through the Deathly Hallows Part II, I noticed something disturbing regarding the aging process. It wasn’t the final scene where the Gryffindor trio of Harry, Ron and Hermione flash forward 19 years and assume the lives of middle-aged adults sending their own children to Hogwarts (although Harry, Ron and Draco were very convincing with pot bellies and facial hair.) It was Harry’s departed parents, James and Lily that took me aback.r
What does an anti-bullying program for girls, renovating a home for women in crisis, and publishing a magazine to help build girl’s self-esteem have in common? All are past recipients of Royal Neighbors of America Nation of Neighbors Program. Nation of Neighbors provides financial support to empower women to achieve their full potential, realize a sense of renewed personal growth, and give back to their communities. The nomination process is in progress and submissions will be accepted through July 31, 2015.