"It is what it is" isn't about giving up, it's about letting go of resistance. When you stop fighting reality, you free up your energy for what you can influence. It's not passive resignation, but active acceptance.

This week notice when you have a situation in which you could say to yourself: "This moment is what it is." Then you can make the choice of - “Now, how do I want to respond, if at all?”  It may just offer you a sense of peace, a feeling of relief.

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

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We're more connected than ever — yet loneliness is rising. Why? We often chase connection through screens — likes, comments, endless scrolling. But real connection isn’t found online. It’s found in presence.
 
 A deep conversation. Eye contact that says: “I see you.”
 Laughing together, a heartfelt hug, a moment of stillness.
 
This week, choose one simple action: Call (instead of text) someone you care about. Put your phone away at dinner. Sit quietly with yourself for 10 minutes.
 
Connection isn’t about being constantly online. It’s about showing up — for yourself and for others. The world doesn’t need more scrolling. It needs more soulful connection.

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

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The world has faced unimaginable pain – 9/11, COVID, Oct. 7, gun violence, natural disasters, and more. We wish we could have prevented all of it. That sense of powerlessness is real.
 
But here’s what is in our control:

• Taking care of our minds and bodies.

• Choosing kindness, even when we disagree.  

 

• Creating ripples of compassion in our daily lives.

 
We can’t change everything “out there.” But we can strengthen what’s “in here” - our ❤️. And together, those small choices matter.

This week, commit to one thing that will either strengthen your mind or your body!!! One step at a time!!! 

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

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Boundaries don’t have to be walls. They’re not about pushing people away or being cold.

They’re about clarity. You can absolutely set boundaries with love, kindness, and warmth.  

For example: "I really care about you, and I also need some alone time tonight to rest. Let’s catch up tomorrow?”

You’re not shutting people out — you’re being honest about your capacity. 

Healthy boundaries improve relationships — create trust, safety, and mutual respect.

Start practicing right away. This week, strengthen your boundary muscle (with love); the more you use it, the easier it will be!!!!

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

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If you pause and ask yourself: What do I naturally do better than most people? — it usually points toward a strength that feels effortless to you but valuable to others.
 
The second step is taking that gift and flipping it outward: how can it ease someone’s burden, brighten their day, or make their path clearer?
 
For example, if you’re naturally organized, you can help someone turn chaos into clarity.
      
Or, if you have an eye for beauty, you can help people see the world differently.
 
Fulfillment comes from that intersection: something you do with ease + someone else’s need = a life that feels purposeful.
 
Ask yourself - what do I do better than most people? This week find even some small way to share your gift.

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

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When we slow down and actually notice what we’re doing — eating, walking, listening, working, or even resting — we stop rushing past life. Instead of being stuck in autopilot, we savor small details, like the taste of food, the warmth of sunlight, or the birds chirping around us.

Mindfulness also helps reduce stress because we’re less caught up in worries about the future or regrets about the past. That presence often makes even simple activities — like washing dishes or even taking a breath — feel richer and more meaningful.

Your breath can be the gateway to living more mindfully. This week be more aware of your breathing. Take a minute (or even just 3–5 breaths) to notice your inhale and exhale. Feel your belly rise and fall. If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your breath. This helps calm the nervous system and centers you in the present.

They do say the present is a present! Slow down and give yourself that gift! It is life changing!!!!

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

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Accept and appreciate ALL of you!
 
Accept and appreciate yourself — not just the light, but the shadows too. Your dark side, your flaws, your scars — they’re not signs of failure; they’re signs of growth, depth, and survival. You are not any less than because you’re imperfect. You are more because you’re real.
 
Learning to love yourself includes embracing the parts that are still healing. And that’s not weakness — that’s courage.
 
This week notice when you “beat yourself up” or have negative thoughts about yourself! Instead give yourself a real or imaginary hug - be kind to yourself and remember  we all have healing to do!

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

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We all feel blah now and then. You know, that dull, unmotivated, emotionally flat feeling.

Noticing that you are feeling that way is the first step towards shifting it.

Don’t fight it or pretend it’s not happening. Just say to yourself: “I’m feeling a bit off today, but it’s okay.” 

Blah days happen to everyone.

Subtle negative thoughts can keep you feeling stuck in a loop. Try rephrasing your thoughts- for example- instead of: ”Nothing’s going right.” Try: “Things feel tough right now, but they won’t stay this way.”

Stop the loop! Move your body- stretch, take a walk, dance. Change up your environment- open a window, clean up your space, go outside. Tiny actions can shift your brain chemistry enough to change your mindset!

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

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This week, try to expand your "moments" of connection.

These don't have to be long or profound — just simple interactions with someone you know, or even a stranger (like the person waiting in line in front of you).

Just notice a positive moment between you and another human being. Let the positivity linger. Feel it. Don't rush past it or downplay it.

That tiny moment of connection can release dopamine and oxytocin into your bloodstream — chemicals that support trust, mood, and well-being.

So, take a breath. Smile. Share a kind word. Let it matter, even just for a moment.

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

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Last week was my birthday and my daughter-in-law, Sam asked what kind of cake I wanted for my party, as they wanted to get me the cake. 

I said, “Well, I think most people really like vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream.” And Sam said, "What do YOU want? It’s YOUR birthday!”

I thought about it and I was like, wow, what a novel idea! To get what I want!  After all, it was MY birthday and I happen to love chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream.

That’s exactly what I got, and I (and so many others) loved 💕 it!

I have coined this, “The Sammy Cake Theory. “  

I think that in life, we're so often on automatic trying to  please others.  Of course, that’s important too…. But really-  it was MY birthday. 

This week practice using “The Sammy Cake Theory” when it’s appropriate. See how it feels to get what YOU want!!! 

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

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As I began celebrating my birthday this year (I do celebrate for about a week at least!) I am consciously embracing everything that my life has been (the joys, the sorrows, the aches, the pains… etc.) and realizing how it has truly flown by.

Even when moments seemed endless, in hindsight, they are all a blur.

I thought about what we always hear - “life is short”. However, we don’t know whether life will be short or not- but I do believe that life is FAST!

 It is a huge reminder as I see how quickly my 20-month-old granddaughter is growing and developing and how fast it is all happening.

That’s why I honestly try to soak up every minute. I try to make choices that add joy and help me be more present in my life. Of course, that’s not always easy to do or to remember to do- but this week- make a conscious effort to slow down and SOAK it up!

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

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When you accept and express who you really are, you feel more confident, secure and live with more meaning and joy!
 
Childhood often holds the most authentic version of who we are- it’s before expectations, fear of failure and societal conditioning begins shaping our decisions.
 
What did you love doing even when no one was watching or rewarding you? Were you always telling stories, drawing, or building things? Were you the one organizing games or playing school (that was my favorite).
 
Did certain themes repeat in your play (helping others, exploring unknowns, inventing products, problem-solving?) These patterns reveal what drives you. Sometimes you can find meaning by what you lacked or suffered from. These experiences may spark a desire to help others heal or prevent similar suffering.
 
Think about how these childhood clues align with your current interests, values and talents. How can they guide you toward meaningful work, service or creation?
 
This week- take a trip down memory lane and see if you can ignite a spark and find a way to bring a little more meaning into your life!!!

To learn more about the ingredients for happiness, you can purchase my book: The Recipe for Real Happiness, on Amazon!!! Click here.

Sending you so much love!

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