If Maui were a woman, she would look like Amanda Eller. At a lean 5’7 and donning a long, breezy, tangerine-colored dress, Amanda seemed to float, not walk, down the main street of Makawao. Her delicate golden leaf earrings dangled and shimmered against her long smooth, shiny, dark brown hair. Tan, … [Read more...] about Mental Toughness Finds a Way Out of the Jungle
Business Cents
Be Camera Ready, Like James Bond
The thing about Opportunity is she doesn’t necessarily arrive after you’ve lost five pounds, gotten out of your sweatpants, whitened your teeth and brushed your hair. Opportunity is quite stubborn about being on her own schedule. She’s kind of a brat that way. She shows up when she feels like it, … [Read more...] about Be Camera Ready, Like James Bond
Resiliency in Action: Keeping Calm, Saving Lives
Resiliency is the ability to stand strong through a storm, not buckle beneath the weight of adversity, problem-solve under pressure, remain calm even as others may not and, I would add, maintain integrity through challenging and shifting circumstances. The most admirable examples of resiliency I’ve … [Read more...] about Resiliency in Action: Keeping Calm, Saving Lives
Invest in Yourself: Practice Your Craft, Buy the Dress
A few years ago, I called up a friend I’d known since grade school and asked her if she would go shopping with me. As the mother-of-the-groom, I needed a dress that would not embarrass my son and would fit with the colors and style of his large, formal wedding. Turns out, my friend, Claire, needed a … [Read more...] about Invest in Yourself: Practice Your Craft, Buy the Dress
Appreciating the Value of Knowing Yourself
There is so much to be said about knowing yourself. What do you care about? What interests you? What are your talents? What makes your heart skip a beat? Knowing and honoring your authentic self sets you up for a lifetime of fulfillment and helps you steer away from pain. John Mellencamp says, … [Read more...] about Appreciating the Value of Knowing Yourself
Letters We Will Never Send
The teddy bear cholla sure sounds cuddly, but don’t let it fool you. The spines on these prolific desert plants are often barbed, like a little fishhook. The cactus itself grows in a collection of smaller pieces. The pieces easily disconnect from the main stem and their needles are designed to catch … [Read more...] about Letters We Will Never Send
Encouraging Yourself: Can You Go Three More Feet?
Kyle Maynard and his long-time friend and business partner, Joey Leonardo, know all about failure. Before becoming world-class mountaineers, they weren’t even campers. “We didn’t know how to put up a tent,” said Leonardo. Today, they have over-the-top memories of viewing the world from some of … [Read more...] about Encouraging Yourself: Can You Go Three More Feet?
Staying Hungry, Laughing Loudly, Being Too Busy to Die
When comedic writer/actor Carl Reiner died at the age of 98 on June 29, I imagine those of us who were raised on his wit couldn’t help but to crack a smile in quiet remembrance and appreciation. Reiner joined American families in their living rooms in the 1960s as the creator of “The Dick Van Dyke … [Read more...] about Staying Hungry, Laughing Loudly, Being Too Busy to Die
Know Yourself: Honor Your Heritage, Embrace Your Environment
Knowledge is power. And knowing yourself, your strengths and weaknesses, is critical when embarking on a career path, climbing a mountain, choosing a friend and needing a go-to answer in an interview process in which that annoying question about your strengths and weaknesses is still asked. What you … [Read more...] about Know Yourself: Honor Your Heritage, Embrace Your Environment
When Bad People Happen to Good Jobs
My mom once told me, “Nature’s laws are God’s laws, and they must be followed.” In her wisdom, she recognized the need to respect and adhere to the forces that aren’t going to change one iota – like gravity. One of my favorites is balance. This Law of Nature is demonstrated everywhere in the … [Read more...] about When Bad People Happen to Good Jobs
