Friday Forum: Summer Sun

You might not be able to tell by the up and down weather we're having throughout various parts of the country, but now that Memorial Day is behind us, the summer season has begun!

So we just have to ask you, what plans do you have for this summer? Study abroad, a "stay-cation," a weekend in Europe, a beach volleyball league? Let us know what you've got lined up.

Link Love for 5/28

For this week, we wanted to do a link love post with a bit of a twist. Instead of highlighting posts we've read around the blogosphere, we wanted to take a moment to showcase some of the guest bloggers we've had on the blog! We hope it's a good way to show you the range of topics they've covered and to thank them again for contributing.

Kelly shared with us what came out of a collage she made at a Visioning Workshop.

Kristina has written several posts, including one about something she calls compassionate leadership.

Bridget has also written a few posts, and a popular one highlighted her experience as a female athlete.

Saloni told us about her rocky trip up -- and down -- a mountain.

Maria wrote about her Colombian heritage and breaking the stereotypes of her culture.

Moria reflected on the culture shock she experienced when coming back home to work as a writer.

Heather reminded us that a new style can give us a boost both personally and professionally.


We'd love to add you to our list of guest bloggers and read your stories. Check out our guest blogger guidelines and submit your post today!

When Tragedy Strikes

Dealing with events like a sudden death, illness, accident, etc., never gets easy. When I was recently informed of a tragedy that affected someone I care about, I initially felt lost, overwhelmed and greatly saddened. I listened, gave my condolences and tentative advice, and cried over what happened, all of which has helped me greatly. Still, these questions remain: How do I make sense of something that makes no sense at all? How do I help those who are suffering the most?

It often happens when we least expect it. When I hear, experience or witness something terrible (which thankfully isn’t that often) I am in a state of disbelief and shock that eventually subsides, so I can begin dealing with what has happened. I have also observed that when tragedy strikes, we as human beings show our true selves and individual strengths in ways we may never have before. Tragedy strikes us all, and it is up to us to learn from it, and to hopefully move on with the rest of our lives. I know this is easier said than done; we all want to know why bad things happen, and all religions and spiritual beliefs give us different philosophies on the subject. Ultimately, I believe that that there are things we are not meant to understand completely, but I have faith in a benevolent force that is with always with us, especially during the darkest periods of our lives.

As for how we can help others during difficult times, I try to be a good listener, without resorting to giving out unsolicited advice. When people are in mourning, I also avoid saying things like “it was meant to be” or “it is God’s will,” because these are not statements I want to hear if I am in a similar situation. It may be fine to mention it, but to be insistent on the subject can be too much. Ultimately, we must treat those who grieve as carefully and respectfully as possible.

How do handle tragedy in your own lives? How do you help others?

A Personal Responsibility

When I think about the responsibilities we have to each other and to ourselves, I start to think a lot about what is more important. Selfishness is something frowned upon in our society, and yet we are often described as a very selfish culture. We want what we want, when we want it, and regardless of how it might affect others.

Perhaps this is why my friends and I get such a positive reaction from people when we say we work for non-profit organizations. We seem to have a higher purpose and goal, and we are commended for taking home a smaller paycheck in return. In reality, I think a lot of young non-profit professionals get frustrated about different aspects of non-profit work. I see a lot of my peers and colleagues become disgruntled and complain about the limitations of the work and the pay.

But even still, there is certainly a commitment to serve that I don't see in many people outside of the non-profit world. Despite the frustrations, everyone has at least one cause they are passionate about and put above almost everything else -- including themselves. Most of the activists I know work so hard that they often neglect their own health and well-being, myself included. By putting the work, the cause, the justice ahead of our own needs, are we doing more harm than good? Most activists would say of course not! We do what we need to do, when we need to do it, regardless of how it might affect us.

I'm coming to realize, however, that this just can't be an option anymore. A few other activists have been expressing similar sentiments for a while now, and I have no choice anymore but to agree with them. If the good we do for others is harming us, it is our responsibility to ourselves to step back, and hope that somebody else takes the wheel. If they do, we can be back in action when they need to step back. If they don't, then at least we'll be re-energized and ready to work even harder.

Memorial Day Musings

Since my day to blog is Monday, I'm always the one who gets to post on the three-day-weekend holidays: Columbus Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President's Day, etc. And now we've rolled all the way around to Memorial Day.

Admittedly, I don't always post on topic when these Mondays roll around...but this week I feel the need to. Why? I'll be honest. Because for a minute, I forgot what Memorial Day actually memorializes. Ack!! Then it came back to me, but I looked it up just to be certain: Memorial Day honors those who have died in military service to the United States. A worthy celebration, to be sure, but I guess I'm running in the wrong circles, because I rarely hear this day talked about as anything other than a chance to sleep in, hold a barbecue, or slip away for a long weekend.

After a bit of angst and reflection on the subject, I've decided this is okay. After all, protecting our ability to snooze in safety, take vacations, and eat barbecue in the sunshine is a big part of the Armed Forces' raison d'etre. Is it not?

Soldiers, sailors, etc. are pretty much the definition of unsung heroes. Well, we sing them a little bit, but we don't really know what goes on within their ranks. I'm sure there are myriad reasons why they do what they do, but I'm also pretty sure it's not for the glory of it. In the end, they've sacrificed so that we can keep on living our lives in comfort and peace, as if nothing ever happened.

So, yeah, let's honor the Armed Forces today. In my five minutes of internet research, I learned that at 3:00 PM (local time) today there's a designated moment of silence to honor those who've died in service to this country. I'm down for that; what about you? But in the meantime, let's honor them by doing those things that we can only do because we're free. So.....barbecue? Yes! Vacation? Do it!

I, for one, am going back to bed!

TWM's Panel on Health & Nutrition

As part of TWM's three-part Focus on Fitness & Health series for National Women's Health & Fitness Week, an eclectic group of health-conscious people met at Bonobo's Vegetarian Restaurant to discuss Health & Nutrition: Perspectives from Around the World.

The six panelists represented various disciplines of health and wellness from around the world. Tammy Lakatos Shames and Elysse Lakatos, or The Nutrition Twins as they're known, gave us practical advice for adopting healthier habits. They emphasized that we should look at our diets in terms of adding what's better for us rather than what we're taking out. Milvi Vehik, a holistic health counselor, offered insight based on her own diverse cultural experiences and how our culture affects our personal health. Dr. Priyatarssini Balamurugen, a practitioner of Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Yoga & Acupuncture, spoke extensively about the ayurveda cleansing practice that rids the body of toxins. Jared Koch, a wellness counselor and author, reminded us of the importance of eating foods in the purest form you can find -- organic, unprocessed, local, etc. Dr. Mei Li, who is trained in both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, informed us that where and when we're born affects our health and well-being for the rest of our lives. Jessica Grippo, a holistic health counselor specializing in women's health with Laughing Sage Wellness and combining Eastern and Western perspectives, shared her personal experience to stress why it's important to always stay connected to what's going on with our bodies and become friends with our liver.

Attendees were able to take home more than just a few wise words. A resource guide was distributed with an extensive list of where to go for more information and direct services including: for nutritional and wellness services,Isagenix Happy Wellness, Sustainable Stress Reduction, Team Northrup,Christine Possemato, BEIA Insurance and Juliana Neiman; for looking and feeling fit, New York Health & Racquet Club, and A Black Bike; for eating healthy, ZICO. Goodie bags were stocked with healthy snacks, passes to health and fitness classes, and vital information from the various sponsors. Even the program had a list of home remedies from around the world for all sorts of ailments.

Everyone left having learned at least one new thing, and with the night's theme echoing in their heads: everyone's personal health and wellness is just that, personal. We must all take the time to get to know and listen to our bodies, eat local and seasonal foods whenever possible, and be open to trying new things, whether it's new vegetables, organic food or acupuncture. Not every body is built the same, nor does it stay the same throughout our lives. What works for one person might not work for somebody else and what worked for you last year might not work three years from now. Staying in constant communication with our bodies is the best way to keep our health as a top priority.

We also want to be sure to thank those who attended the other two parts of the series: Fitness in the Park with RJ's Personal Fitness and ZUMBA! Class with Alicia Harris. These events gave everyone a chance to get the heart-rate up, have lots of fun and make some new friends in the process.

For those of you who attended any of these events, please let us know what you thought of the event and what you got out of it. If you weren't able to make it, is there anything in particular you want to know more about?

Summer Reads

In case you didn't already know, we here at CHICKS ROCK! love few things more than a good book, and we're excited to announce that TWM is launching a summer book club! We've posted the details below so that you all can participate and get started this long weekend.

TWM'S SIZZLING SUMMER BOOK CLUB!
Wednesday, June 17th 6:30pm-8pm

You asked for it, we've got it! Get away this summer with a captivating book each month and then join TWM Members and guests to discuss it over classic Italian cookies & pastries at Veniero's in the East Village!

COST: $20; $15 for TWM Members
LOCATION: Veniero's 342 East 11th Street
Includes coffee, tea or soda and an assortment of Italian pastries and cookies!

RSVP to christianna@thewomensmosaic.org


JUNE'S BOOK SELECTION:

The Twentieth Wife By Indu Sundaresan
Publisher: Simon Schuster Books
ISBN-13: 9780743428187

An enchanting historical epic of grand passion and adventure, this debut novel tells the captivating story of one of India's most controversial empresses - a woman whose brilliance and determination trumped myriad obstacles, and whose love shaped the course of the Mughal Empire. Skillfully blending the textures of historical reality with the rich and sensual imaginings of a timeless fairy tale, The Twentieth Wife sweeps readers up in Mehrunnisa's embattled love with Prince Salim, and in the bedazzling destiny of a woman - a legend in her own time - who was all but lost to history until now.

Going Under the Laser

After years of wearing glasses and contact lenses, I have decided to take the plunge: I am undergoing Lasik eye surgery in a few days. No longer will I have to squint when looking at the clock in the middle of the night, or suffer those red marks on each side of my nose after wearing my glasses all day. I also won't have to worry about falling asleep with the contact lenses, and waking up with puffy, irritated eyes the next day. I am looking forward to going under the laser to improve my eye sight.

I have never had surgery of any kind before, so I feel like I am entering into a new realm. I find myself reading the fine print on all the forms I am presented, and asking all sorts of questions about the elective procedure and the post-operative steps I must follow. I know that I am not the first person to have Lasik surgery, but it is important to be vigilant when we are entrusting something as important as our eyes to someone else. I have heard enough about people not doing their "homework" before undergoing surgery and suffering a variety of consequences. I feel confident that everything will be fine, but I wouldn't be normal if I didn't feel a little nervous before the procedure. It gets me ready to face a laser and keep my eyes open long enough for it to do what it does best.

Have any of you had Lasik eye surgery? I would love to hear your thoughts about the procedure and the aftermath.

Holding Myself Accountable - Starting Today

Because May is Physical Fitness Month and I attended TWM's recent Health & Nutrition event, I've been thinking a lot lately about my own physical health and well-being.

If you recall from a few previous posts of mine, I have a hard time focusing on myself even when I know I should. Recently, my body has started fighting back because my schedule has me running around without pause. My sisters and my guy are very much focused on their health, and I feel like the odd one out. All of this has made me realize that time is up -- I have to focus on myself now, or I never will.

I started walking a lot more, and my upcoming move to NYC will give me more opportunities to be active with all of the open space to explore around me. But I know it has to be more than that. I need to carve out time to spend with myself. I need to let go of some responsibilities that I simply can't handle anymore. And what I really need to start with is a firm schedule and plan so I can start holding myself accountable.

So, I'm starting today! No time like the present, right?

I'm going to start by planning out my meals for the week, which I hope will free up time in the decision-making that often takes me an hour per meal. Next, I'll decide what my exercise to do each day, which has to be on top of the 30 minutes of walking I do now. I'm also going to come up with a set work schedule for the week with a prioritized to do list that should help me stay on track throughout the day. Hopefully all of this will work out for this week, and then I can do it again next week, and the week after that, and keep on going until it becomes a habit.

Do you have any suggestions for how I can stick to my plan? Is this something you might need to do for yourself as well? It'd be good to know I'm not alone!

Celebrity Moments

I'm discovering that there are several layers of strangeness to being an author. One is the simple fact that this thing I have written is out there for the world to read and do with as they will. Strange. Another is that people -- especially kids, who are my main audience -- now think I'm famous. Strange.

Part of my job as author is to connect with my young readers, which usually happens through author visits to schools and libraries around the country. I went to my hometown, Fort Wayne, Indiana, to visit some libraries and I was shocked -- shocked, I tell you! -- by the enthusiastic embrace of my young friends. Most of the children and teens I visited hadn't ever met a person who had written a book and actually had it published. I was a demigod.

The littlest ones, elementary schoolers, stared at me with wide, disbelieving eyes. They put out their hands to touch my skin, as if testing to see whether I was real. Some of the teens were easily engaged. Others sat sullenly in the back, feigning disinterest, but remaining suspiciously quiet throughout my talk. Most of them hadn't read the novel in advance. But at the end, every single one of them jumped up, eager to have their picture taken with me and the book.

To be honest, I could give or take the celebrity treatment, though it was certainly flattering and fun. What meant the most to me in those moments was knowing that at least a child or two had their world broadened. They saw for a second that an author is a real person that you can touch with your hand and laugh with. Maybe a child or two will be inspired to write their own stories. Maybe one or two of them will feel as though their dreams are not so far out of reach.

Friday Forum: Physical Fitness

In keeping with our celebration of May being Physical Fitness Month, we wanted to know what all of you do to keep your physical health and fitness as a top priority.

Do you follow a strict exercise regimen, work out every so often, or keep health and fitness at the bottom of your to do list? Feel free to share any tips, especially for balancing physical health with the hectic schedules most of us have!

And don't forget that you can focus on your fitness tomorrow, May 16, at TWM's zumba class!

The Story of a Writer

CHICKS ROCK! welcomes our latest guest blogger, Moria:

Moria Byrne is an editor, blogger, freelance journalist and New York native. Her articles have appeared in: Baltimore Business Journal, Maryland Daily Record, The Jewish Times, and The Narragansett Times.


Before moving to New York, I never uttered the words “I'm a writer” out loud. I lived in Maryland where writing means government grants or medical writing for Johns Hopkins. Mostly, I didn't take my writing seriously. I wrote as a freelance journalist for a few local newspapers, but editing was how I made a living.

A few years ago, I believed the world saw writers as the mechanics of the communication world. We have the talent to put things together in a functional way most people don't--yet we're not taken seriously. Maybe it was New York's overpriced coffee or polluted air, but suddenly, I believed I'd underestimated writers. We are chameleons, I told myself. (Not out loud, of course.) Our creativity takes us in endless directions: copywriters, teachers, radio hosts, what have you. I was ready to throw my proverbial beret in the air and then it hit me. How will I make a living at writing?

My transition from editor to writer would have been easier if I'd stayed in the country. But wanderlust led me to the Philippines. When I returned to the States and attended a Media Bistro event in NYC, I experienced culture-shock. I went to a panel on the "Magazines of the Future" and was accosted with words Twitter, CMS, and RSS. I realized I was MIA. I was ready to ship myself in a ground air mail package to the country I'd just returned from where at least I spoke the local language. But being a journalist at heart, I investigated. I found social media communities were happy to share free information on the new terminology.

In a city with Ivy Leagues, Fortune 500 businesses and media leaders, I have attended seminars, found cutting edge industry information, and built my skills without more than a subway pass and wireless card. My internal software has been updated and I’m amazed at where social media could take my career. But NYC serves as both teacher and muse. Despite the lean prospects for employment in this overpopulated city, inspiration is enough reason to stay for now.

Remembering My Greatest Heroines

From my childhood to my teens, I was a television junkie. Thankfully, it wasn’t the only interest in my life like it is for kids today (I have always loved books and art too), but there was something about the re-runs of Wonder Woman and Charlie’s Angels on summer days when the weather was too unbearable outside.

Wonder Woman was this tall, gorgeous woman from another planet who was as strong as Superman and could transform into her alter-ego by turning around in a circle. When I was very little, I apparently tried to copy this move to see if my clothes would change to become the famed ‘super heroine.’ I never did. But I never forgot how inspired I was by women in the media who seemed to be breaking down boundaries between the genders. They were beautiful, but they were also strong and could stand up to anyone or anything to save other people’s lives. They were women and proud of it! Somehow, my developing brain grasped the notion that women could be strong, self-sufficient, and fearless… AND be genuine, loving, and gorgeous, all at the same time.

As I grew, television became more and more underwhelming, in my humble opinion. I turned more of my attention to heroines in the books I loved most, like Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice. The main characters in these books were very different, but what both of them had in common was their desire to be respected for who they really were. I appreciated their struggles, because they were realistic and easy for me to relate to.

Of course, I always knew that the greatest heroine of my life is my Mother, who came from a small South Indian village to the United States to realize her dreams. No, she doesn’t have a secret identity and superhuman strength, but she has bravery, compassion, and intelligence, which are all qualities I admire most.

Which women (real or imaginary) have inspired you the most?

Making Moves

One of the most stressful things about renting is figuring out what to do when your lease is up. Do you stay in the place you've called home for at least the last year (often longer)? Or do you go through the apartment-hunting process all over again?

After living outside of New York City for almost two years, my guy and I decided it was probably time to make the move into Manhattan. The cost of our commute is killing us, and we figured we'd end up saving money paying a higher rent in New York. We found a friend to share the space with and set out to find THE place to move to.

We looked at a few listings, and visited a couple of apartments, but nothing that called out to us. We anticipated a long apartment hunt, at least lasting a couple of months, but after just a few weeks of looking, we already found a place! It was almost love at first sight. The neighborhood is nice, there are many more restaurants, shops, and banks near by than any of us are used to, and the commute to work won't be hard. Even though we still have to think about logistics -- new furniture, insurance, coordinating the move, etc. -- we're very excited about the move and happy to see how smooth it's been.

We're all still surprised at how quickly things happened for us, but we're also stressed out about what will happen a year from now when we have to start this up all over again. Apparently, the fact that we aren't even moving for another two months does nothing to relieve our anxiety over the next time we repeat this process.

Have any of you had to move recently? Do you find that it gets easier or harder to go through the steps each time your lease is up?

Tour Guiding, Cross-Culturally

I've recently had the pleasure of hosting international visitors - a delegation of friends from southern Africa. My friends were traveling to the U.S. on church-related business, and I was representing my church in welcoming them to NYC.

Showing them the city was a particular joy. We rode the subway and the bus. We stood in Grand Central Terminal at rush hour -- commuter culture fascinated them. We took pictures of yellow cabs, which New Yorkers find annoyingly ubiquitous, but these friends found hilarious and strange. We rode the Circle Line (a tourist cruise around the island of Manhattan) and for some of them, it was their first time on a boat!

I've hosted American guests in the city before, but tour guiding becomes quite a different job when the guests are from out of the country. It was a unique challenge to explain our culture and lifestyle to folks living so far outside of it. I felt there was no better way to be an effective tour guide than to try seeing the city through fresh eyes. I tried to observe everything, then brought in my actual knowledge to explain the significance of various buildings, vehicles, people and patterns of behavior. The experience helped me recognize and appreciate (and occasionally abhor) many of the cultural attitudes, values and activities that I take for granted on a daily basis.

Our week together was both exhilarating and exhausting. We saw so much of one another, and so much of the city life that it was overwhelming. I was sad to see them go, though, as I watched them disappear through the maze of airport security. It struck me then that it really is a rare opportunity to see one's own culture through others' eyes, up close and personal. An opportunity I hope to have again!

Friday Forum: Mother's Day

Mother's Day is this weekend, so we think this is a great time to reflect a bit on our own experiences with our mothers or as mothers.

What life lessons have you learned from your mother? If you are a mother, what lessons have you passed down, or hope to pass down to your children?

Focus on Fitness with TWM

May is Physical Fitness Month and in celebration of that, TWM has a Health & Nutrition series going on this month.

There's Fitness in the Park this Saturday at 2 p.m. and a Zumba Class next Saturday at 1:30 p.m., giving you ample opportunity to meet some new people while having fun and working up a sweat.

In addition to these events to help you get fit, there's also Health & Nutrition: Perspectives from Around the World on Tuesday, May 12th from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Here's a description of what's sure to be a great event:

Join TWM as we explore the world of health and nutrition! Listen to our expert panelists speak about various cultural perspectives on maintaining optimal health and well-being.

Panelists will include a mix of Western, Eastern, Traditional, Ethnic, Indigenous and other areas of expertise!

*Each guest will receive a GOODY BAG and RESOURCE GUIDE with information and products to help maintain a healthy lifestyle in NYC.*

6:00pm - 8:30pm
At Bonobo's Restaurant 18 East 23rd Street (between Broadway and Madison)

NOTE: Please contact Christianna if you are interested in being a sponsor, panelist or resource guide advertiser for this event.

TWM MEMBERS: $15
NON-MEMBERS: $20
TWM MEMBERS CAN BRING A FRIEND AT THE MEMBER RATE!
RSVP to Sally or call 917-816-0834

Can't wait to see you at one of these events! Remember to stay active and keep your health in mind every day.

My In-Between Schedule

Something happens to people when they find themselves between paying jobs. Some of us instantly jump into action to find another position by posting and sending a resume to everyone we know, and attending networking functions. Others need structure and the appropriate motivation to find out what is next for us, because despair is a serious roadblock on the road to employment, especially during the current recession. I believe that difficult times like these come to us as human beings to test us. It is a psychological "survival of the fittest" that scares us all, but we can rise above fear to explore options never considered under normal circumstances.

I consider myself one of those people who can think "outside the box" now that I am in the crossroads of my life and career possibilities. I see many roads ahead of me, so I am preparing myself before choosing which one to take. One way I do this is by establishing something many of us take for granted: a daily schedule.

I find that if I adhere to some sort of daily routine, I am far more productive. Waking up everyday by at least 6:30 AM is one way to get me motivated to complete various tasks and just enjoy more of the day. Instead of being chained to my laptop everyday for hours, I make sure to go to libraries for a change of scenery. It is important to diversify your tasks and surroundings on a daily basis when you are in between jobs, because it is easy to become complacent when one day is like all the other days before it.

There are pitfalls to a schedule that I am very familiar with. If it is too strict and doesn't take into account the unexpected, it can easily fall apart. If you just have some sort of schedule in place and make an effort to follow through with it, life is much more manageable.

Do you have a personal schedule that works for you?

School Daze

After graduating college, I returned a handful of times over the course of a few years. I've now spent the last three weekends out there and, boy, am I exhausted!

It's not that I didn't enjoy college while it lasted, I just don't understand the longing to return that everyone else seems to have. Now that I've gone back and spent a significant amount of time there, it has reaffirmed my feeling that I'm happy to be done with it. I even made a mental list of the things I do and do not miss about college. Things I miss: having most of my friends in close quarters, being able to sleep in late, having the energy to stay up late. Things I don't miss: pretty much everything else -- the food, lack of privacy, an unstable schedule, the drama, the immaturity, the daily annoyances, I could go on and on.

Looking around me, though, I noticed that these people who long for their college days really do exist. They're not the urban legend I thought they were -- they eat, breathe, and sleep college well into their twenties. Is there something they experienced that I did not, or vice versa? What is it that draws them back to the same environment I avoid like the plague?

Like I said, there isn't something that I particularly disliked about college. I had good classes, great friends, and a fair amount of extracurricular activities. I gave myself a lot of responsibilities and I also had a lot of fun. But once it was over, I was definitely glad to be done with it and I did not look back. Is there something wrong with me, or with these people who can't seem to let go? Maybe I'm just becoming old and cranky at a young age...

What was your college experience like? Have you been back since you left and did you like it? Why or why not?

Not About Me

I spent an afternoon with a six-year-old girl and her grandma, and it was totally fun. We went to a science museum that the little girl loves. I arrived bearing chapter books appropriate for her age – partly at her grandma’s request and partly to endear myself to this girl by masquerading as a cool, fun, spontaneous person. (It’s hit or miss, in reality.)

In public, I inadvertently imagine what other people might think when they look at me, and whoever I’m with. Folks who saw the three of us together probably assumed I was the mother figure in this picture. Seeing myself in this light illuminated a few things for me. One is: I do want kids. Another is: I’m not quite ready. But I’m close.

There was a time when I would have begrudged that beautiful little girl for dragging us around the museum without stopping at half the exhibits that I would have wanted to stop at. That day, I didn’t care. There was a time when I would have been annoyed to have to read stories out loud during lunch to keep her entertained, while my French fries grew cold. There was a time when I would’ve regretted not being able to fully peruse the gift shop for kitchy gadgets, because she was ready to go. None of it bothered me. Curious.

For a while now, my fear about having children has been selfishness – my own. I love my independence, and the ability to come and go as I please and the freedom make sure I’m contented before worrying about anyone else. In some ways, that selfishness is waning. It was actually great to spend a day that was not about ME.

Friday Forum: Good Advice

We've asked our readers for advice in the past and have given out plenty of advice of our own, and we've been wondering about what makes for good advice.

So, what's the best advice you've ever given and why? And what's the best advice you've ever received, and what made it the best?