5 Lessons I’ve Learned from Oprah

/12 Comments/in , , , /by

Today is historic. Today is the airing of the last episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show. If you’ve been following my blog you know how much I love Oprah. It was on my life list to make it to a taping of her show – been there, done that! It was fabulous.

As a journalist – I’ve gotten my inspiration from women like Oprah. I would watch her show everyday with my mother and I wanted to be just like her. Oprah has said many times that if she weren’t in TV she would have been a teacher. Well she’s been just that to many people in all walks of life through the years, including me.

Here’s my list of some of the lessons I’ve learned at “Oprah University:”

1. Give:

Oprah’s been both praised and ridiculed for all the gifts she’s given away in her “favorite things” episodes. From iPads to lasagna pans – she’s given it all away to screaming fans. Don’t forget the free trip to Australia and oh yeah…the “you get a car, and you get a car, and you get a car,” giveaway. Read more

A Checklist for a Happy Marriage

/4 Comments/in , , , , /by

Two years ago today my husband and I were surrounded by our closest friends and family for our wedding. After dating for 6 years we decided to take the plunge at El Conquistador Resort & Spa in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. It was Memorial Day weekend and our guests flew from all over the country to share our special day with us. Although the weather wasn’t perfect (it rained a bit) – the day was everything we had imagined. The venue was wonderful, I loved my dress and I found a great place for mens rings (my husband loves his very much!)

We got to spend the entire weekend with our guests – eating gourmet food, drinking yummy cocktails, laying on the beach, enjoying the golf course and relaxing at the spa! It was really a wedding in paradise. I must say we’ve had a wonderful two years so far and I’m looking forward to what fabulousness is ahead!

But I realize that marriage is not always so wonderful and that it’s hard work. No one will tell you that better than author Alisa Bowman. I met Alisa a few years ago as she was writing her book, “Project Happily Ever After.” She started a blog of the same name first because she fantasized about her husband dying. Yep – you read correctly –she dreamed he was dead because she was so unhappy in her marriage! She had the details of his funeral all planned out – down to the food and beer she would serve! Read more

The End of the World as We Know It?

/0 Comments/in , , /by

I don’t believe that tomorrow will be the end of the world. But some people do – namely Robert Fitzpatrick from Staten Island, NY. He spent his life savings of $140,000 on bus and subway advertisements to warn us that we will have a global earthquake that will end the world on May 21, 2011.

I don’t buy it.

But let’s just say that tomorrow was really the last day of the world (which it’s not)…what would you do or say today?

If you’re a list maker – examine your life list. Are you really THAT upset that you haven’t gone sky diving? What about if you never made up with your estranged sibling? Would that matter? Read more

The Power of a Pro vs. Con List and a FREE Giveaway

/9 Comments/in , , , , /by

This blog is three posts in one:

1. A case study of the power of one of my favorite kinds of lists: the pros/cons list.

2. A plug for a cool website and the pre-made list paper they make.

3. A chance for you to win FREE list paper from KnockKnockStuff.com.

 

 

WHO: Colleen Cappon – my colleague and a non-list maker

WHAT: Colleen and her fiancée Chris are getting married and having trouble planning their honeymoon

WHEN: Their wedding is in October

WHY: It’s tough to narrow down the perfect destination to celebrate their nuptials because they are overwhelmed by all the choices

WHERE: This is just the problem! They have too many options and are losing sight of what they really want

The Power of a Pros/Cons List

Enter the “List Producer” with the solution I have for everything – make a list! I told Colleen that a pros/cons list is really the best way give attention to each choice individually. I also shared some cool list paper that I’d gotten from KnockKnockStuff.com for her to write out pros and cons about each resort she and Chris were considering. Read more

Grey’s Anatomy Docs use Checklists…And so do Real Docs

/6 Comments/in , , /by

By now I hope that you’re caught up on your DVR..because I’m going to talk about last Thursday’s Grey’s Anatomy episode. Don’t worry – there won’t be any spoilers. But I will tell you that one of the doctors brought attention to one of my favorite things…a checklist!

Over eager Dr. April Kepner bounced through the halls pestering Dr. Christina Yang about using a checklist to make sure all the protocol was met for one of their patient’s care. Dr. Kepner explained that the checklist has been used in aviation for years and helps to cut out human error.

It’s true – I just finished reading “The Checklist Manifesto” by Dr. Atul Gawande and he notes that airline pilots fill out pre-flight checklists and have crisis checklists incase anything goes wrong in flight. Read more