Tunes Tuesday: Same Love

I just discovered this song this weekend and it simply left me speechless with its powerful message and beautiful music. I think it is my new favorite song. I hope you like it too.

Same Love
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Featuring Mary Lambert

When I was in the third grade
I thought that I was gay
‘Cause I could draw, my uncle was, and I kept my room straight

I told my mom tears rushing down my face
She’s like “Ben you’ve loved girls since before pre-k tripping,”
Yeah, I guess she had a point, didn’t she?
Bunch of stereotypes all in my head.

I remember doing the math like, “Yeah, I’m good at little league”
A preconceived idea of what it all meant
For those that liked the same sex
Had the characteristics

The right wing conservatives think it’s a decision
And you can be cured with some treatment and religion
Man made rewiring of a predisposition

Playing god, aw nah here we go
America the brave still fears what we don’t know
And god loves all his children, is somehow forgotten
But we paraphrase a book written thirty-five-hundred years ago
I don’t know

And I can’t change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
I can’t change
Even if I try
Even if I wanted to
My love
My love
My love
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm

If I was gay, I would think hip-hop hates me
Have you read the YouTube comments lately
“Man, that’s gay” gets dropped on the daily

We become so numb to what we’re saying
A culture founded from oppression
Yet we don’t have acceptance for ‘em

Call each other faggots behind the keys of a message board
A word rooted in hate, yet our genre still ignores it
Gay is synonymous with the lesser

It’s the same hate that’s caused wars from religion
Gender to skin color, the complexion of your pigment
The same fight that led people to walk outs and sit ins

It’s human rights for everybody, there is no difference!
Live on and be yourself

When I was at church they taught me something else
If you preach hate at the service those words aren’t anointed
That holy water that you soak in has been poisoned

When everyone else is more comfortable remaining voiceless
Rather than fighting for humans that have had their rights stolen
I might not be the same, but that’s not important
No freedom till we’re equal, damn right I support it

And I can’t change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
My love
My love
My love
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm

We press play, don’t press pause
Progress, march on
With the veil over our eyes
We turn our back on the cause
Till the day that my uncles can be united by law

When kids are walking ‘round the hallway plagued by pain in their heart
A world so hateful some would rather die than be who they are
And a certificate on paper isn’t gonna solve it all
But it’s a damn good place to start
No law is gonna change us
We have to change us
Whatever god you believe in
We come from the same one
Strip away the fear
Underneath it’s all the same love
About time that we raised up

And I can’t change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
I can’t change
Even if I try
Even if I wanted to
My love
My love
My love
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
Love is patient
Love is kind
Love is patient
Love is kind
(I‘m not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient
(I‘m not crying on Sundays)
Love is kind
(I‘m not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient
(I‘m not crying on Sundays)
Love is kind
(I‘m not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient
(I‘m not crying on Sundays)
Love is kind
(I‘m not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient
Love is kind

What do you think? Has a song’s lyrics ever made you speechless the first time you listened to them? What song?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for reading.

Tunes Tuesday: Ani Difranco

Ani Difranco is simply a poet who sings. Her lyrics are provocative and raw…and always real.

One of my favorite Difranco songs has been covered by other artists, but the words were penned by Difranco.

32 Flavors
Ani Difranco

squint your eyes and look closer
I’m not between you and your ambition
I am a poster girl with no poster
I am thirty-two flavors and then some

and I’m beyond your peripheral vision
so you might want to turn your head
cause someday you’re going to get hungry
and eat most of the words you just said

both my parents taught me about good will
and I have done well by their names
just the kindness I’ve lavished on strangers
is more than I can explain

still there’s many who’ve turned out their porch lights
just so I would think they were not home
and hid in the dark of their windows
til I’d passed and left them alone

and god help you if you are an ugly girl
course too pretty is also your doom
cause everyone harbors a secret hatred
for the prettiest girl in the room

and god help you if you are a phoenix
and you dare to rise up from the ash
a thousand eyes will smolder with jealousy
while you are just flying back

I’m not trying to give my life meaning
by demeaning you
and I would like to state for the record
I did everything that I could do

I’m not saying that I’m a saint
I just don’t want to live that way
no, I will never be a saint
but I will always say

squint your eyes and look closer
I’m not between you and your ambition
I am a poster girl with no poster
I am thirty-two flavors and then some

And I’m beyond your peripheral vision
So you might want to turn your head
Cause someday you might find you’re starving
and eating all of the words you said

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVg7mtgEqGY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

What do you think? What favorite song of yours has been covered by other bands? Do you usually prefer the original song or the remake?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for reading!

Travel Theme: Mountains

As I have mentioned in previous blog posts, this is an extremely busy time of year at work. My brain is working much more than full-time right now, so I have not had the brain power to do much more than the Tunes Tuesdays series here lately. But Third Eye Mom’s post on the Where’s My Backpack Travel Theme of mountains grabbed me, since mountains are my happy place.

I didn’t get to share any photos from our trip South yet, so I will use this opportunity to do just that. Here are my favorite recent mountain photos from El Chalten and Calafate, on the Argentine side of Patagonia.

My husband at the beginning of our adventure…
Copyright JC Politi Photography

El Chalten
Copyright JC Politi Photography

Perito Moreno Glacier, Calafate, Argentina
Copyright JC Politi Photography

Perito Moreno Glacier
Copyright JC Politi Photography

 

What do you think? What is your favorite mountain location? Do you prefer the mountains or the sea? What do mountains mean to you?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for reading!

Tunes Tuesday: Billy Joel

My entertainer

I drove my mom’s car from Baltimore to Colorado this weekend. To pass the time, I bought some cds at Target. Two of these cds were the Essential Bruce Springsteen and the Essential Billy Joel. My throat still hurts from singing.

I have heard this song a million times, but this time, it’s lyrics jumped out at me. Just brilliant. I love the 3:05 line and the can of beans.

This week, I bring you Billy Joel’s The Entertainer.

The Entertainer
Billy Joel

I am the entertainer,
And I know just where I stand
Another serenader,
And another long-haired band.

Today I am your champion.
I may have won your hearts
But I know the game, 
You will forget my name,
And I won’t be here 
In another year,
If I don’t stay on the charts.

I am the entertainer,
And I’ve had to pay my price,
The things I did not know at first,
I learned by doin’ twice.
Ah, but still they come to haunt me,
Still they want their say.
So I’ve learned to dance 
With a hand in my pants,
And they rub my neck, 
And I write ’em a check,
And they go their merry way.

I am the entertainer,
Been all around the world.
I’ve played all kinds of palaces,
And laid all kinds of girls.
I can’t remember faces,
I don’t remember names.
Ah, but what the hell,
You know it’s just as well.
‘Cause after a while 
And a thousand miles,
It all becomes the same.

I am the entertainer,
I bring to you my songs.
I’d like to spend a day or two.
I can’t stay that long.
No, I’ve got to meet expenses.
I got to stay in line.
Gotta get those fees 
To the agencies.
And I’d love to stay, 
But there’s bills to pay,
So I just don’t have the time.

I am the entertainer,
I come to do my show.
You’ve heard my latest record,
It’s been on the radio.
Ah, it took me years to write it,
They were the best years of my life.
It was a beautiful song.
But it ran too long.
If you’re gonna have a hit,
You gotta make it fit–
So they cut it down to 3:05.

I am the entertainer,
The idol of my age.
I make all kinds of money,
When I go on the stage.
Ah, you’ve seen me in the papers,
I’ve been in the magazines.
But if I go cold, 
I won’t get sold.
I’ll get put in the back 
In the discount rack,
Like another can of beans.

I am the entertainer,
And I know just where I stand
Another serenader,
And another long-haired band.
Today I am your champion.
I may have won your hearts.
But I know the game, 
You will forget my name,
And I won’t be here 
In another year,
If I don’t stay on the charts

What do you think? Is there a song with lyrics that you didn’t notice until after listening many times?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for reading!

Tunes Tuesday: Baltimore

I had trouble finding lyrics about Baltimore that do not mention prostitutes, so I thought I would share this sweet video instead of lyrics this week. In case you didn’t hear, Baltmore won the Super Bowl!! Caw caw!!

What do you think? Do you have a favorite song about your hometown? What about a song about your favorite place?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for reading!

Tunes Tuesday: The Unicorn Song

Copyright JC Politi Photography

For today’s Tunes Tuesday, I have chosen a whimsical song from my youth. I loved this song when I was little, probably for the simple reason that it is a song about a unicorn! What is better than that?

But now that I am grown, I see the depth in these lyrics much more clearly. I hope you will, too.

The Unicorn Song
Peter, Paul and Mary

When I was growing up my best friend was a unicorn
The others smiled at me and called me “crazy”
But I was not upset by knowing I did not conform
I always thought their seeing must be hazy.
The unicorn and I would while away the hours
Playing, dancing and romancing in the wild flowers
And we’d sing

(Chorus)
Seeing is believing in the things you see
Loving is believing in the ones you love.
Seeing is believing in the things you see
Loving is believing in the ones you love.

When I was seventeen my best friend was the Northern Star
The others asked why I was always dreaming
When I did not reply I found my thoughts were very far
Away from daily hurts and fears and scheming.
The Northern Star and I would share our dreams together
Laughing, sighing, sometimes crying, in all kinds of weather
and we’d sing

(Chorus)

And now that I am grown, my best friend lives inside of me
The others smile at me and call me “crazy”
But I am not upset, for long ago I found the key
I’ve always known their seeing must be hazy.
My friend inside and I would while away the hours
Playing, dancing and romancing in the wild flowers
And we’d sing

(Chorus X2)

What do you think? Are there any songs whose lyrics have changed for you with time? What are your favorite songs from your youth? Go ahead, sing it out, loud and proud!

I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for reading!

Lean In? Maybe it should be Lean On…

Copyright JC Politi Photography

According to an editorial in the New York Times this week, Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer at Facebook, has a new book coming out this year entitled “Lean In.”

Her main hypothesis is that women internalize the messages surrounding them that they should not be aggressive or assertive and that they frequently make career decisions based on concerns that are not yet real, such as kids or a spouse that have yet to come. She places much of the blame for the lack of women in leadership positions on these issues.

I have written about Sandberg’s theories on this blog in the past. I shared that I have fallen prey to some of these tendencies myself over the course of my career. I certainly know that I am an abysmal negotiator when it comes to my salary; sometimes it seems I am more likely to negotiate down than up.

But I wonder about younger women and if this paradigm is shifting. While the statistics on women in leadership positions remain fairly bleak, young women now have competent role models like Hillary Clinton and Sheryl Sandberg and Sonia Sotomayor, whose work encourages them to shoot for the stars.

As I have written before, what has not shifted as much are the workplace policies that allow women and men to find a way to balance a family and a career. There is no question that workplace policies need to shift to enable men, as well as women, to contribute fully in both the workplace and at home if that is what that family chooses.

It seems that young women and men are making more demands of their employers for things like telecommuting and flexible schedules to enable them to better achieve balance. And a number of extremely talented people are making these demands, so companies are forced to choose between accepting these requests and losing talented staff.

The choice for me would be simple. I would choose a balanced, talented staff person any day over someone who is going to work themselves to the bone until they are burned out and unable to contribute. And if all it takes is a flexible work schedule to make that person content over the long-term, who wouldn’t fulfill that request?

What do you think? When do you think we will reach a tipping point and when companies will change their policies to make them more family-friendly? Do you think family friendly policies impact a company’s bottom line? If so, how? Do you think our corporate culture is ready for this shift, or will these change come about as the next generation reaches leadership positions and can force change?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for reading.

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Great post from a great Blogger friend and a good follow up (or more accurately prequel) to this week’s Tunes Tuesday!

musingsofanoldfart

My wife and I have long been fans of the musical Les Miserables, so yesterday we took two of our children to see the recently released movie with Hugh Jackman as the lead character of Jean Valjean. We were not disappointed and enjoyed the movie immensely. Of course, a few people have noted some of its imperfections, yet on the whole, it is a very moving experience and fills in a few details that the play could not.

As an aside, I also enjoyed the dramatic movie made a few years ago with Liam Neeson in the role of Valjean. As for the recent musical version, I would encourage you to see it , whether you have seen the play, early dramatic movie or not. If you have seen the play, you will be even more moved by Anne Hathaway’s Fantine singing how life has killed her dreams. The music is so wonderful, sometimes the everyday tragedy  of…

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Tunes Tuesday: Les Miserables

Copyright JC Politi Photography

I had MLK day off yesterday and I finally went to see Les Mis. I will never forget the first time I saw the play years ago in DC. I had no expectations, but was absolutely blown away. It was love at first listen. So, of course I also enjoyed the movie.

There are so many important themes in this musical – the most powerful of all for me has to be Javert’s struggle to see shades of grey between good and evil.

But the theme of grinding poverty is pervasive in the story. While I was tempted to have Master of the House be this week’s Tunes Tuesday song because it always makes me giggle, I thought instead I would highlight one of the more meaningful and thoughtful songs, At the End of the Day.

At the End of the Day

Workers: At the end of the day you’re another day older
And that’s all you can say for the life of the poor
It’s a struggle, it’s a war
And there’s nothing that anyone’s giving
One more day, standing about, what is it for?
One day less to be living.
At the end of the day you’re another day colder
And the shirt on your back doesn’t keep out the chill
And the righteous hurry past
They don’t hear the little ones crying
And the winter is coming on fast, ready to kill
One day nearer to dying!
At the end of the day there’s another day dawning
And the sun in the morning is waiting to rise
Like the waves crash on the sand
Like a storm that’ll break any second
There’s a hunger in the land
There’s a reckoning still to be reckoned
And there’s gonna be hell to pay
At the end of the day!

[The foreman and workers, including Fantine, emerge.]
Foreman:At the end of the day you get nothing for nothing
Sitting flat on your bum doesn’t buy any bread
Workers:There are children back at home
And the children have got to be fed
And you’re lucky to be in a job
And in a bed!
And we’re counting our blessings!

What do you think? Have you seen Les Mis? What did you think? What themes resonate most for you? What is your favorite musical?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for reading!

Couch Potato Curse: Where’s the real danger?

Copyright JC Politi Photography

I try to eat well. I know that I should exercise, and I frequently do, although certainly not as often as I should. I don’t smoke and I know that being around people who smoke is harmful. But toxic chemicals coming from my couch? That is a little more than my brain can digest.

Two articles in the New York Times this week (Eat Like a Mennonite and  Warnings from a Flabby Mouse) give me pause. They both reference endocrine inhibiters, whatever in the world those are.

Apparently, these are chemicals that can mimic or disrupt hormones and, while the science is still evolving in this area, these chemicals appear to be closely linked to several cancers.

We are always hearing about new things that are bad for us – and frequently, those things have become fundamental aspects of our modern culture.

If it turns out that plastics really are bad for us, just think of all of the things we use every day without even thinking about it that are made from just this material. It boggles the mind.

And then they talk about things like toxins emanating from car interiors, and shampoos, and couches, and cosmetics. It is exhausting.

I live in Colorado. It is unbearably dry here and I have a lotion and some sort of lip product in extensive use at all times. Is this dangerous? And does that mean sunscreen is dangerous? Which is worse for me – wearing sunscreen or not wearing sunscreen?

I don’t have children and can’t imagine trying to work through all of this to make sure one is doing the best one can for a child -just trying to navigate these waters for myself is overwhelming. I know my new year’s resolution is to let it be – and I am trying to do that. But I hope that there are some smart grownups somewhere in some agency who are helping make sure that my chapstick is not killing me.

Suzie chapstick always looked pretty healthy to me, but does anyone know where she is now????

What do you think? How do you navigate all of the health information that comes your way, especially about things that are non-food related? Does any of this worry you? Have you taken any steps to change your eating habits or other lifestyle choices because of this type of information?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for reading!

Tunes Tuesday: Let it Be

Copyright JC Politi Photography

Happy New Year! I realize I am a little late with New Year’s greetings, but I just got back from my holiday vacation. Today’s Tunes Tuesday pick may not have the most poetic lyrics, but after having listened to this song hundreds of times, for some reason, I really heard the lyrics for the first time this past week.

Every year, like everyone else, I make New Year’s resolutions. They are rarely of the “I want to lose 10 pounds” variety – not because I couldn’t stand to lose ten pounds, but because I prefer to think more about what would help feed my soul in the upcoming year.

Past resolutions have included going to see more live music, spending more time with friends and family and spending more time on my own doing things that increase my contentment and joy.

As I look at this list of resolutions, I realize that they all speak to my desire to live more fully and appreciate people and things that are most important to me. This year’s resolution is no different.

I am a worrier – always have been, may always be. I come from a long line of accomplished worriers, especially on my Dad’s side of the family. If there were awards for worrying, we would have a cabinet full of trophies. But the truth is, worrying does not help anything. I know this to be the case, but nonetheless, I worry.

So, this year’s New Years resolution comes to me from the Beatles. There will be an answer – let it be. For this Tunes Tuesday, I present the Beatles’ Let It Be.

Let It Be
The Beatles

When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me
Shine until tomorrow, let it be
I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

What do you think? Do you make new years resolutions? What are your resolutions for 2013? Are there any songs whose lyrics speak to how you would like to live?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for reading and happy new year!!

Tunes Tuesday: Same Auld Lang Syne

Image Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Happy New Year from Buenos Aires! (Note: newsofthetimes.org will be taking a break for two weeks while I am off backpacking in Patagonia and taking LOTS of pictures!!!)

This song is the song that inspired my holiday Tunes Tuesdays – it has been a favorite tune for a long time. Can’t you just feel the awkwardness and the snow turn into rain?

Same Auld Lang Syne
Dan Fogelberg

Met my old lover in the
grocery store
The snow was falling Christmas Eve
I stole behind her in the
frozen foods
And I touched her on the sleeve
She didn’t recognize the
face at first
But then her eyes flew
open wide
She went to hug me and she
spilled her purse
And we laughed until we cried.
We took her groceries to the
checkout stand
The food was totalled up and
bagged
We stood there lost in our
embarrassment
As the conversation dragged.
We went to have ourselves
a drink or two
But couldn’t find an open bar
We bought a six-pack at
the liquor store
And we drank it in her car.
We drank a toast to
innocence
We drank a toast to now
And tried to reach beyond
the emptiness
But neither one knew how.
She said she’d married her
an architect
Who kept her warm and safe
and dry
She would have liked to say she
loved the man
But she didn’t like to lie.
I said the years had been a
friend to her
And that her eyes were still
as blue
But in those eyes I wasn’t
sure if I saw
Doubt or gratitude.
She said she saw me in the
record stores
And that I must be doing well
I said the audience was
heavenly
But the traveling was hell.
We drank a toast to
innocence
We drank a toast to now
And tried to reach beyond
the emptiness
But neither one knew how.
We drank a toast to innocence
We drank a toast to time
Reliving in our eloquence
Another ‘auld lang syne’…
The beer was empty and our
tongues were tired
And running out of things to say
She gave a kiss to me as I got out
And I watched her drive away.
Just for a moment I was
back at school
And felt that old familiar pain
And as I turned to make
my way back home
The snow turned into rain —

The video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sYu12PdqVI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

What do you think? What is your favorite wistful song about old times? How do you celebrate the new year?

Tunes Tuesday: Holiday Inspiration and A Baltimore Greeting

Photo Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Greetings and Happy Holidays from Baltimore! For this Tunes Tuesday, I am highlighting one inspirational holiday song, and one song to give a giggle. I hope you and yours have a relaxing holiday season, filled with laughter and love.

My Grownup Christmas List
David Foster

Do you remember me
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you
With childhood fantasies

Well, I’m all grown up now
And still need help somehow
I’m not a child
But my heart still can dream

So here’s my lifelong wish
My grown up christmas list
Not for myself
But for a world in need

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
and wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This  is my grown up christmas list

As children we believed
The grandest sight to see
Was something lovely
Wrapped beneath our tree

Well heaven only knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal
A hurting human soul

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown up christmas
list

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth
(there’d be)

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all
hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end, oh
This is my grown up christmas list

This is my grown up christmas list

And for a little Baltimore hospitality and charm, I Want Crabs for Christmas. I couldn’t find the lyrics to this one or it would have gotten top billing here, no questions asked. I hope you’ll take a minute to check it out.

And Merry Christmas!!

What do you think? Is there a local favorite Christmas song in your town? What is it? What is your favorite Christmas song that won’t get out of your head this time of year?

Tunes Tuesday: Christmas is All Around Us

Copyright JC Politi Photography

I admit it – this song is not exactly poetic. But I wanted to feature a holiday song and it seems that there are not a lot of holiday songs that are lyrical masterpieces.

This song is from the movie Love Actually. If you haven’t seen this movie, rent it tonight. It is the perfect mix of humor, emotion and festivity, without being too sacchariney sweet. We watch it every year to get into the holiday mood and it never fails to lift our spirits and get us ready for the season.

Be sure to watch the youtube clip below!

Chistmas is All Around Us
Billy Mack, Love Actually

I feel it in my fingers,
I feel it in my toes,
Christmas is all around me,
and so the feeling grows

It’s written in the wind,
It’s everywhere I go,
So if you really love Christmas,
C’mon and let it snow?

You know I love Christmas
I always will
My mind’s made up
The way that I feel
There’s no beginning
There’ll be no end
Cuz on Christmas,
You can depend

You gave your presents to me
And I gave mine to you
I need Santa beside me
In everything I do

You know I love Christmas
I always will
My mind’s made up
The way that I feel
There’s no beginning
There’ll be no end
Cuz on Christmas,
You can depend

Cuz on Christmas,
You can depend

It’s written on the wind
It’s everywhere I go
So if you really love me
C’mon and let it snow?
C’mon and let it snow?
So if you really love
C’mon and let it
If you really love me
C’mon and let it
Now if you really love me
C’mon and let it snow?

What do you think? What is your favorite holiday movie? Why? What are your favorite holiday songs? Which holiday songs have the best lyrics, in your opinion?

I woud love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for reading!

The Stress Epidemic

Copyright JC Politi Photography

It has been a very busy time here at newsofthetimes.org and I have not been able to write as much as I would like. I would like to write about the horrific events in Connecticut and about how proud I am that our Governor has made a risky political statement that it is time to do something about guns in Colorado. I am especially proud because he made this statement before the most recent shooting.I would like to write about the holiday season and what that means to me and to all of you.

I would like to write about missing family and the adventures of raising a quirky teenage pup.

But lately, I have been stressed. Work has been incredibly intense and taken most of my time and energy.

I love my work, but I can’t say I love those times when it is all-consuming. Over the years, I have been inexplicably drawn to fast-paced jobs with high levels of stress; I am drawn to these types of jobs like a moth to a flame.

I have tried to figure out how I can do work that I love, while not allowing it to eat me alive. I am encouraged that the older I get, the more I seem to be able to go with the flow and bounce back from stressful situations – this is a welcome evolution, to say the least.

I read an article this morning from the Harvard Business Journal that talks about how to manage stress in your work. I read a lot of these articles and always find some useful message or lesson to take away.

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But I wonder how real people manage the stress in their lives. And about your personal evolutions in this area. And what lessons my wise readers have for me in how to better manage the stressful work that I love.

Stress is an epidemic in the United States. Is it also an epidemic in other countries? If not, why not?

I went to a class on stress at work last year where they showed the physiological impact of stress on a person’s heart and mind. It was scary stuff. It is not a luxury to find ways to manage stress. It is imperative that we do so.

What do you think? How do you manage stress in your life? Has your ability to manage stress changed over the years? What have you found to be the most helpful tools to help with this? Do you struggle with this at all? And do you have any resources you have found to be helpful in your efforts to maintain balance and calm in your life that you would be willing to share?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for reading!