The last (soon to be) 12 months have altered me in a way that I never imagined possible. I knew that parenthood would change my lifestyle, yes. I had no idea it would have such a drastic effect on my entire being. My view of myself is altered forever. I could never have believed there would someone in the world more important to me than absolutely anything else. My life revolves around how she's feeling and how I'm doing as a mother. My self image is no longer based on how good a friend I'm being or how popular I am or even what other people think about me. Am I a good mother? Am I doing the best job I can for her? Does she know how fully and completely I love her? My self worth is entirely based on those questions. There is a tiny human being holding all of that in her little hands. More >>

I can't get one recent caller out of my head. A young married woman had her and her husband's friends (another married couple) come live with them and pay rent for a room in their home.  The married friend and her husband were living with the bride's mommy because they could not afford to take care of themselves.  The caller and her husband "took pity" on them and provided them a room.  The caller was upset because the friend wouldn't sign a contract concerning neatness and other items. More >>

I have to tell you how you saved my life. I am a stay at home mother of 3 small children and by some miracle I married a very good man. I have spent the last 10 years of my life angry and self destructive. I lived my life desperately trying to fill the silence both emotionally and physically. Any moment of peace would force me to look at myself and who I'd become. More >>

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever... More >>

We know what it's like.  You have a great idea and are ready to begin building your business, but how do you know where to start? What are the first steps that you should take? Below are a few tips to get you started in the right direction... More >>

"For the past two decades my husband and I have run a bookstore in our town. Well, we lasted as long as we could, but between Borders and Barnes and Noble both opening outlets in our area within the past five years, we've seen our customers slowly dwindling away, to the point that we've decided to call it quits when our lease expires later this year..." More >>

When asked what makes them happy at school, kids most often answer: friends! Children have better attitudes about education and learning when they have friends at school... More >>

...Just yesterday I was reading through your book "Stupid Things Parents Do to Mess Up Their Kids" (aka: "Parenthood by Proxy"). In the introduction, under the heading "Just plain 'Loco'", Lisa McNally wrote to you about two-income families. These "families" as they are labeled these days, are nothing like what the word was designed around. Too busy to stop and smell their greatest opportunity drift by, these parents strive to satisfy themselves while providing physically for their children. But what about all the other needs our children have today? More >>

Last Saturday, September 11, I was one of about 1000 motorcycle riders participating in "Ride to the Flags," from Ventura Country to Malibu, California, where a display of almost 3000 flags will honor the lives lost to Islamic suicide bombers on September 11, 2001.  The ride was hosted by the Gary Sinise Charitable Foundation, and the proceeds go to the children of those who lose their lives in the service of our country's defense against terrorism.  Pre-ride entertainment was offered by Glen Campbell, and Ann-Margret (a veteran of Vietnam-era USO entertainment) was there to send us all off with her kind words of love and support. More >>

I'm 24 years old and finally, I'm doing the right thing. And the thing I'm doing that is oh-so-right is I learned to listen and respond to feedback, in all its forms. I was hoping that you could share this with your listeners, because it's a life lesson that I am so grateful to have learned early in this life. As a child, I was afraid if I did things wrong it meant a host of awful things I was stupid, I didn't listen well, I was annoying people, I was high maintenance. More >>