There are many Valentine’s Day skeptics, including right here in my Slice of Sunshine readership.  I get it. Valentine’s Day is another example of how, when people are forced to do something—whether is “be celebratory” on New Year’s Eve, or “prove your love” on Valentine’s Day—it kind of defeats the purpose. Add into that the […]

There are many benefits to being a “giver.” Being more of a giver than a taker has been proven to increase levels of happiness, lower blood pressure and stress, and contribute to a greater sense of empathy and meaning. Social psychology explains that the human desire to give is partly rooted in the fact that […]

In an old episode of The Simpsons, the kids are leaving for a field trip. As they board the school bus, their parents call out words of advice. Chief Wiggum says to his son Ralphie, “If your nose starts bleeding, it means you’re picking it too much…(pause)…or not enough.” I am not about to write […]

Coming to you almost live, here’s your annual pep talk from DPS. (Here’s last year’s pep talk in case you need a double dose of pep!)Sending you love, gratitude, and many wishes for a happy new year! Text… Receive the “Slice of Sunshine” in your inbox by subscribing to the Department of Practical Sunshine newsletter. Text… Try it! Text…

I like big growth and I cannot lie. I cherish it in nature: the first blooms pushing through the spring soil; new sprouts on my houseplants as they unfold into tender leaves; watching my puppy turn into a 72-pound hunk of dopey love.  I celebrate it in humans: seeing friends (and clients) moving from indecision […]

Before scratch and sniff stickers, and long before letter grades hastily scribbled in red felt tip pens, came tiny foil stars. Green, red, silver, blue, and gold. Adhered (with saliva! no self-stick back in those days!) to the top of papers, tests, worksheets. How I loved the dimensionality, the delicate embossing, the solidity of foil […]

According to conventional wisdom, it is a “no-no” to send emails with “Just Checking In!” as the subject line. Entrepreneurs are told that every email should include a call to action (CTA), so “Just Checking In” is a wasted opportunity to build business. “Just Checking In” is also often used passive-aggressively in Businessland, a sorry-not-sorry […]