Soaringwords

09/01/2026

“My favorite color is rainbow!” My three-year-old granddaughter’s wise declaration became the perfect lens for eleven magical days in Venice—filled with shimmering water, magnificent rainbows, a beautiful wedding, and, naturally, plenty of gelato. Venice reminded me that when we slow down and pay attention, life is constantly offering us signs, surprises, beauty, and moments of love and connection. Magic, water, and gelato—Bring it on! Read more: https://soaringwords.org/magic-water-and-gelato-bring-it-on/

08/07/2026

Behind every exceptional endeavor are a cast and crew of dedicated professionals who make it all come together seamlessly. That’s the magic and allure of showtime! For five action-packed days, the Florida Health Care Association hosted its Annual Conference, “Spotlight on Excellence,” celebrating the dedication, passion, and joy of 1,300 leaders in skilled nursing and senior living communities. The Hollywood theme carried through the five-day event, which felt more like a love-fest than a professional conference. Read more about the inspiring people and unforgettable moments on our blog :https://soaringwords.org/lights-camera-action/

07/20/2026

It's been a perfect storm as record-breaking heat collided with hazy, smoke-filled skies, sending air quality alerts across the Northeast. What began as a carefully planned trip to a women's gathering at the nature sanctuary quickly unraveled when the event was canceled due to the toxic air.

But sometimes the best adventures are the ones we never plan. Instead of heading home disappointed, an unexpected invitation, a meaningful new friendship, and an impromptu swim in a beautiful Hamptons pool transformed the day into a reminder that life's greatest gifts often arrive when we're willing to embrace the unexpected.

Continue reading the full story on my blog:

It’s been a perfect storm as heat wave temperatures collided with hazy smoky skies as forest fires sent acrid air from Canada into the Northeastern United States. This confluence of events caused air quality advisories to go on high alert. That’s why it seemed that we were the extras in a summer...

07/15/2026

Years ago, a spontaneous horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park became one of my son's most vivid childhood memories — he still remembers the horse's name decades later. So when my granddaughter turned 7, I planned to recreate that same magic. Then, just one day before our outing, tragedy struck the very carriage tradition I was counting on, ending 163 years of history in an instant. I was left wondering if I'd ever get to share that quintessential New York moment with the next generation.

Undeterred, I found another way to chase that same sense of wonder — one that led me back to a place from my own childhood, and to an unexpected twist I never saw coming. Read the full story here: https://soaringwords.org/memories-that-stick-its-not-what-you-think/

06/26/2026

Life is about showing up. I recently enjoyed a 48-hour visit to Toronto to celebrate a family wedding, where my husband and I joined loved ones as they honored their daughter’s marriage. As the couple stood beneath their wedding canopy, waves of nostalgia washed over me, reminding me of so many meaningful celebrations. A wedding ceremony is a hologram of life—capturing the full spectrum of emotions, from cherished memories to hopeful anticipation, all wrapped in music, rituals, community, and joy.

Life invites us to be present, to treasure our memories, and to look ahead with hope. As we move closer to summer, it’s a beautiful time to pause, recharge, and appreciate each day with gratitude. Life is not a dress rehearsal—let’s keep showing up and savor the journey. Read more:

Life is about showing up. I just enjoyed a 48-hour visit to Toronto to celebrate a family wedding—my husband and I joined my niece and nephew as they celebrated their oldest daughter’s marriage. As the couple stood under their wedding canopy, waves of nostalgia cascaded through my mind as I reme...

06/11/2026

There's something about a wide-open road that conjures up possibility and adventure. The hero's journey, or just a bad-ass road trip.

This year, Route 66 turns 100 years old, and I turn 66! Birthdays are always a logical time for self-reflection and gratitude. As I buckle my seatbelt for another year of growth and possibility, I've been thinking about legacy. What comes along for the journey? What needs to be discarded? What can be cherished and celebrated? And what will endure?

Last night's Knicks win felt like a reminder that perseverance matters. As I sat on the edge of my seat watching the game, I was reminded that even when success seems unlikely, there are reasons to keep believing and keep moving forward.

Read more in my latest blog, Get Your Kicks on Route 66:
https://soaringwords.org/get-your-kicks-on-route-66/

#𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲

06/09/2026

I never expected a school of tiny fish to stop me in my tracks and teach me something important.

While standing in the ocean, I became mesmerized by hundreds of iridescent fish moving together through the seafoam and currents. They reminded me that life’s most meaningful lessons are not always found in grand gestures or dramatic displays.

Sometimes the most meaningful lessons come from the most unexpected places—if we're willing to slow down and pay attention.

Read more in my latest blog, What I Learned From a School of Fish:

https://soaringwords.org/what-i-learned-from-a-school-of-fish/

06/08/2026

You know you’ve stepped off the fast track when the biggest decision you face is: “Beach or poolside?”

After delivering a keynote to 350 remarkable nurse leaders in Florida, I expected to return home with memories of the conference, meaningful conversations, and a few palm tree photos.

Sometimes the most valuable takeaways aren't found on the conference agenda. They're discovered when we slow down long enough to notice them.

Read more in my latest blog post:

I was proud of myself for scheduling four days of rest and relaxation after what felt like a five-week, action-packed marathon that culminated in my conference keynote just two days earlier.

06/05/2026

Five days after delivering a keynote address to 350 remarkable nurse leaders at the Florida Health Care Association Nurse Leaders Annual Conference, I'm still feeling incredibly grateful.

I spent months preparing to create an experience filled with meaningful stories, practical tools, and inspiration for the healthcare professionals who show up every day with empathy, compassion, and healing presence.

The night before my keynote, I stood alone on the stage in a dark ballroom, looking out at 375 empty chairs. I imagined each seat filled with someone seeking encouragement, connection, and hope. In that quiet moment, I was reminded why I love speaking so much.

For me, public speaking isn't scary—it's where I feel most alive. I am energized by authentic human connection and by helping people discover their own capacity for healing and wellbeing.

The next morning, those chairs were filled with smiling faces, and the following days were filled with meaningful conversations, heartfelt stories, and hundreds of hugs.

As Helen Keller said, "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched—they must be felt with the heart."

Thank you to everyone who made this experience so memorable.

Read the full story on my blog: https://soaringwords.org/ebb-and-flow/

05/26/2026

The "Battle of the Sexes" was a landmark tennis competition watched by 90 million spectators worldwide. When Bobby Riggs, a self-proclaimed male chauvinist provocateur and former Wimbledon tennis champion, made incendiary comments that women's tennis was an inferior sport, 29-year-old Billie Jean King accepted his challenge to a match in order to defend the dignity of female athletes and women's sports. Considered one of the most important cultural events of the 20th century, on September 20, 1973, King trounced Riggs in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, and 6-3.

Billie Jean King proved that women could compete on and off the court, which legitimized the newly formed women's professional tennis tours and led to the creation of the Women's Tennis Association. Her win coincided perfectly with the era of Title IX legislation, which expanded the playing field by guaranteeing equal opportunities in education and sports for girls. At the time, sports were considered a rite of passage for boys. School budgets funded football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and lacrosse teams for boys, while girls' sports were an afterthought.

Decades after her resounding success in the Battle of the Sexes, Billie Jean King won many accolades, trophies, and awards, including 39 Grand Slam titles. She became the number one-ranked player in the world and the first female athlete to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She also championed gender equality for women both on and off the court.

During graduation season, colleges and universities bestow honorary degrees and invite famous people from all walks of life to be commencement speakers. On May 28, 82-year-old Billie Jean King donned a cap and gown and walked across the stage to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. This accomplished a goal she began more than sixty years earlier when she left college after her third year to pursue her tennis career full-time. She said, “It is a privilege for me to be here as a member of your graduating class. Yeah, baby! Only 61 years!” She explained why it held extra meaning for her. “Like so many of today’s graduates,” King said, “I am the very first member of my immediate family to graduate from college.”

According to cardiologist and longevity researcher Eric Topol, Director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, Billie Jean King is a "Super-ager," modeling two strong contributors to healthy aging: continuing to learn new things and maintaining a sense of purpose.

Topol defines a super-ager as anyone over 85 years old with good cognitive function, without cancer, cardiovascular, or neurodegenerative disease. Researchers attribute the two systems that are the main determinants of health span to the brain and the immune system. There is a lot of research about the benefits of physical activity on longevity, but cognitive engagement is also a key driver.

As she lobbed autographed tennis balls into the hands of fellow graduates in the audience, she exemplified a true champion living her best life ... both on and off the court.