In high school, I thought of Ellen Fiur as my best friend. Ellen was brilliant, funny, and kind, all traits we shared and ones I valued. We both wrote for the school newspaper and played together in band and orchestra. When we graduated, she was the class salutatorian, the person with the second highest grade …
I started out as a professional dancer in New York City in the early 60’s, then left the barre behind, morphing into Brunetta Winthers, L. C. S. W. receiving my Master’s degree from Adelphi University School of Social Work, Garden City, Long Island. I practiced principally in addictions prevention, treatment, and recovery, both in agencies …
“It makes perfect sense to me that people would want to be married. But for me, security is not knowing what’s going to happen. Because if I don’t know, it could be terrific.” Gloria Steinem, American feminist and writer Well, Gloria…it could be terrific. But it could also be a grand disaster. The fact is, …
“There was a definite process by which one made people into friends, and it involved talking to them and listening to them for hours at a time.”~ ~Rebecca West (1892–1983) English writer West’s quote reminds me that being in a new place and essentially, starting over, will indeed involve “talking and listening” for hours at …
“Eternity is not something that begins after you are dead. It is going on all the time. We are in it now.” – Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860–1935) – American writer I recently lost a very dear friend. She was coming up on her 91st birthday, so I can’t say her “leave taking” (as I prefer …
I have a book called “A Woman’s Journal” consisting of empty pages, each with a quote from a famous woman. The quote is meant to stir the reader to thoughts on the sentiments expressed. I have found the book both inspiring and instructive for clarifying my own thoughts. I share them with you, encouraging you …
“If only we’d stop trying to be happy, we could have a pretty good time.” – Edith Wharton (1862-1937) American novelist Aha! “If only we’d stop trying to be happy…” Wharton writes. Yes, indeed. The whole notion of “trying to be happy” suggests one is trying too hard. I think one is either disposed to …
“What seems like courage is really persistence–the ability to put part of yourself on hold–Patience. – Barbara Gordon – 20th century American writer Yes, patience is a certain kind of courage…and perhaps, more so than the impulsive “throw yourself on a grenade to save your buddies” kinds of actions we’re used to touting as courage–the …
“Why not seize the pleasure at once? How often is happiness destroyed by preparation, foolish preparation?”– Jane Austen (1775-1817) English writer When the strain of covering for every possible consequence of one’s behavior becomes too much for us, we are likely pulled by the counter-reaction–“Throw caution to the winds, indulge the moment!” It’s a tough …