Who can forget the cool energetic guy on the "flying" skateboard - the star of the hugely successful film, Back to the Future. It's Michael J. Fox, of course, playing the main character, Marty McFly. Jetting around on his skateboard was his fantasy superpower. Michael J. Fox's superpower, in real life, is his unbelievable capacity to help others. His achievements have led to him being featured in a recent Kindness Issue of People magazine. MORE THAN $1.5 BILLION This is how much money he has raised, through his Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Fox has taken on the…

A good friend, Tom Brokaw, has called him a dirtbag. This is a term of endearment. According to mountain climbing lore, a dirtbag is a person who dedicates her or his entire existence to the pursuit of mountain climbing, even living in a tent or vehicle to save money. If you have been reading the news lately, you will know who I am talking about. It is Yvon Chouinard. Chouinard has been in the news because he has just given away his billion dollar company. And people that know him were not that surprised. His bold and generous gift is consistent…

You can make a huge difference in this crazy world. And it is so easy to get started. You can help a child go to school, learn to read and build a life for herself, her family and her community. It only takes less than 3 minutes to start your incredible journey. And the benefits, especially for children in low-income communities, will grow and grow, almost like compound interest. Melinda Gates said it well in her inspirational book, Moment of Lift: How empowering women changes the world: “When you send a girl to school, the good deed never dies.  It…

This is a guest post from Lacey Connor. I appreciate Lacey reaching out to contribute to this blog and I want to encourage her and others on their writing journeys. A mid-life crisis is a time of reflection and change. It's a time to think about what you want out of life and how you can make your remaining years the best they can be. Just because you're experiencing a mid-life crisis doesn't mean it has to be a negative experience. In fact, it can be quite positive if you approach it with the right mindset. Here are some tips…

HER FIRST ACT OF DEFIANCE? GOING TO SCHOOL This headline drew me in and I was hooked. This headline, ad and article was part of a fundraising campaign called Defy Gravity from the University of Toronto. It featured Basnama Ayaz who won a scholarship to the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto. Here is an excerpt from the moving article in the U of T Alumni magazine. Growing up, Basnama Ayaz was inspired by people in her community who looked after the sick. “I belong to an underprivileged part of the world called Gilgit-Baltistan, in the high mountains…

I just finished reading Dinners with Ruth: A Memoir on the Power of Friendships by Nina Totenberg and I loved it. It is packed with details on the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, as seen through the eyes of a lifelong friend, journalist Nina Totenberg. The stories and amazing lives of Nina and Ruth helped open my eyes. Both women struggled to have their accomplishments and talents recognized in the male dominated fields of law and journalism, despite their high levels of achievement. As a male growing up in the same era, I was (and hopefully a little less so…

When you think of being creative do you start to feel a little freer? Or do you quickly freeze up with frustration or self-doubt? I would like to help you to loosen up with a few practical ideas from people who know a few things about what creativity really is. Let’s start with Sir Paul McCartney. He is well-known for his relaxed approach to writing songs. For instance, he frequently comes into the studio with a vague idea for a song. Then, by collaborating with others, he sees if anything worthwhile might emerge. For Paul McCartney, creativity is not always…

Our memories store much more than what has been going on in our lives. Much more than what we learn at school or from the web. Take this quick memory test and see what I mean. It may surprise you. No hints. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOrQYi8srMg Did you learn anything? I did and it made me think - about the way I look at almost everything. First thoughts are revealing. Second thoughts can tell us how we want to move forward. We can do better! This online Memory Test was part of a professional ad campaign published in United Kingdom in April, 2022.…

This is a guest post from Stephanie Haywood. I appreciate Stephanie reaching out to contribute to this blog and I want to encourage her and others on their writing journeys. You can find more articles like this from her website, MyLifeBoost.com. Few things in life are more important than your mental health, yet most people never invest in keeping it in the best shape possible. Below are eight ideas to improve your mental well-being so you're happier and healthier overall. 1. Forest Bathing Also known as Shinrin-yoku, forest bathing is gaining popularity worldwide. It’s a deep-breathing meditation that uses all five…

Here are some startling numbers. I read about these numbers in a moving book by John Wood (co-founder of Room to Read) and Amalia McGibbon, called Purpose Incorporated: Turning cause into your competitive advantage. WHO WILL RUN THE WORLD? GIRLS! 1 - Women control slightly more than half of the private wealth in the United States. 2 - Women make 80% of all purchases. 3 - Over $50 trillion will transfer to the younger generation over the next few decades. Women stand to inherit 70% of this wealth. 4 - Some experts predict that roughly two-thirds of America's wealth will…