Monthly Archives: August 2013

The Dream Speech, 50 Years Later

by phyllis, August 28, 2013

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. proclaimed his Dream of Jobs and Freedom from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. His speech was one of the greatest of the 20th century and, to this day, he’s celebrated for his ideals of inclusion and nonviolence. King was a public figure who inspired millions and gave his life for a noble cause. Although not a perfect person, he had many of the traits we often look for in our heroes. A sophisticated, educated orator and a leader with high emotional intelligence, he … Continue reading →

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Small talk is not about size

by rosemary, August 21, 2013

Now that summer vacations are drawing to a close and you’re beginning to schedule fall activities, are you ready for the get-togethers coming up? When we were younger it seemed so much easier to chat with each other. But now it can be complicated to assess the impression we create when we’re speaking with new acquaintances. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your meetings with new friends and coworkers: Develop conversational intelligence. Beginning a conversation usually means finding a common thread to discuss, so you’ll … Continue reading →

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Childfree and Loving It

by phyllis, August 14, 2013

Way back when I was young, DINKs (Dual Income No Kids) were a cultural anomaly. In fact, parenthood was synonymous with adulthood. And the issues around being ‘childless’ were discussed in hushed tones. Here it is 52 years after the advent of birth control and ‘childfree’ is the new buzzword. Women who are opting out of motherhood are speaking up loud and clear. According to recent surveys, over 40% of college-educated Generation X women (born between 1965 and 1980) are childfree. These women were part of the first generation that … Continue reading →

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Positive Effects of Negativity

by rosemary, August 8, 2013

I was having dinner the other night with a friend who is having a tough time as she goes through a very difficult break-up and I wondered, with all the emphasis in Positive Psychology on resilience and optimism, are we being unrealistic about our abilities to bounce back after a crisis? And is there actually some real value in being unhappy sometimes? Immersed as we are in the ‘dog days of summer’ it might seem like the wrong time to look at such heavy and pessimistic issues, but let’s give … Continue reading →

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