Beating Jealousy: How to Be Inspired By, Instead of Envious Of, Your Friend’s Success
As soon as I graduated from college and began working at Disney World in the Disney College Program, I suddenly felt “behind” in life. I…
read moreNot Sure What Gift to Give? Ask These 3 Questions First
Gift giving is a wonderful part of the holidays. At its best, it’s an opportunity to show those you love how you feel about them…
read moreGood Hospitality: It’s an Attitude, Not a Rule Book
One of my uncles always remembers my favorite coffee mug. Recalling my pickiness (ahem, refined taste) when it comes to the ceramic thickness, handle size,…
read more7 Ways to Pay It Forward This Season
I can still feel the butterflies I got as a little girl walking up to the giant Christmas tree inside of the Seattle Center. It…
read moreLow-Cost Ways to Brighten Someone’s Day
I like to think of myself as a positive person — someone who can shake things off and always believes blue skies are around the…
read moreHow My Retail Job Made Me a Better Person
In high school and most of college, I worked at American Eagle Outfitters. I started as a regular sales associate, but after a year, I…
read moreSmall Sacrifices to Help Make the World a Better Place
The world can be a scary place. I feel like I’m overwhelmed with negative news and stories of suffering in our society and powerless to…
read moreNear, Far, Wherever You Are: How to Celebrate the Holidays in a New Home
This year, I made the leap I’ve wanted to make for decades: I finally moved across the country, from Chicago to southern California. I’d dreamt…
read moreHow to Read All the Books You Want (Without Spending a Fortune)
I’ve always loved reading, and before COVID, I used to read at least one book a week, borrowing from my local library or buying secondhand.…
read moreThanksgiving in a Foreign Country: What I Learned From Celebrating Abroad
My classmates and I were homesick. We were spending our fall semester in London, and for most of us, it was our first Thanksgiving away…
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