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Deepening Ties Through the Art of Conversation

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Have you been in that situation before where you'd like to move beyond small talk but just can't seem to do it?

How do we deepen our connections with the people we encounter in our lives?  Chip and Dan Heath explore this in their enlightening book, The Power of Moments, and the answer is easier than you think.

Imagine a scenario where you show up at a bus stop and there's somebody already waiting there.  You say, "Hi," and the other person responds, "Hey." End of conversation.  But let's … [Read more...] about Deepening Ties Through the Art of Conversation

Hold Hands With Strangers?

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It was 7:50 PM, and we were running through Times Square in New York trying to make an 8:00 PM show at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on 46th St. We had made the mistake of ordering dessert at dinner (I just had to have some tiramisu), thinking we would grab a cab to ferry us to the theatre in time. Big mistake. The cab was barely moving through the congested traffic, so we literally hopped out in the middle the street—me, my husband, sister, and friend from high school—and started wending our way … [Read more...] about Hold Hands With Strangers?

This Improv Game Could Make You an A+ Communicator

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You’re standing face to face. Your eyes are locked. You begin to tilt your head. Your partner follows. No, you’re not going in for a kiss. You’re playing an improv game called “The Mirror Exercise,” an acting game designed to teach people empathy—how to be in sync with others. It’s also a great way to improve your speaking skills, whether you’re talking one-on-one or speaking to a group.

I first started using this improv exercise when I was teaching public speaking to high schoolers over 15 … [Read more...] about This Improv Game Could Make You an A+ Communicator

Empty Nesters

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The house was eerily quiet this morning. After sitting on the porch for my usual early morning cup of coffee, I came back in and noticed the utter silence of the house—an empty, hollow feeling, like all the molecules of energy had been sucked out. Yesterday, my hubby Bill and I became empty nesters after we dropped our youngest off at college. I didn’t know our house could sound so quiet.

Typically, I love silence. In our family, I’m known as the noise Nazi, especially when it comes to the … [Read more...] about Empty Nesters

What Are You Willing To Struggle For?

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What a difference a question makes. I woke up this morning and immediately started in on my current litany of worry-wart woes. You’ve been there, right? Maybe it’s your kids or money or too much to do. But this morning as my stomach tightened with anxiety, I suddenly remembered two questions I had written down in the front of the book I was reading yesterday: “What pain do you want in your life? What are you willing to struggle for?”

And there it was--the answer in those questions. I felt … [Read more...] about What Are You Willing To Struggle For?