https://www.happyherald.com/articles.sec-8507-1-on-the-bright-side.html April showers bring May flowers. It´s a simple phrase, almost too familiar to notice. Because blooming, as it turns out, is rarely on schedule.]]> Every April, people around the world pause to recognize Earth Day, a day set aside to appreciate the planet and renew our commitment to caring for it.]]> Winter in South Florida doesn't arrive with fanfare; it slips in politely, offering mornings cool enough for a sweater, and afternoons that gently insist on sunscreen. It´s less a season than a suggestion.]]> This time of year, ads start popping up everywhere promising things like, “New Year, New You!” It’s predictable – and honestly, a little irresistible. A new calendar feels like a clean slate, a cosmic reset button. Make 2026 the year everything finally comes together, right?]]> In an effort to explore new creative avenues in my retirement, I enrolled in a community education poetry class. ]]> In South Florida, October may not bring falling leaves or frosty nights, but it offers its own version of seasonal transition.]]> I try to keep a historian’s eye on the situation, and remind myself that when technology makes human tasks easier, the results are always revolutionary – so to feel uneasy is normal. ]]> I retired in June after 30 years of teaching. This is both exciting and daunting. I’ve been working since I was fourteen, and now my time belongs completely to me! I am free to travel, take classes, explore some new hobbies, and work on my novel (it’s coming along!).]]> Days grow longer and the sunshine stronger. That’s June in South Florida! Summer isn’t just a season – it’s a state of mind]]> Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. That these three words have been branded as somehow unfair has me baffled. It is antithetical to their meaning.]]> The idea for Earth Day was born in the late 1960s, a period of increasing public concern about pollution, environmental degradation, and the health of the planet.]]> Spring is around the corner, with all its vibrant promises of renewal, growth, and fresh possibilities. This month is the perfect time to reflect on the journey toward our dreams]]> The month that’s a perfect mix of sunshine, sea breezes, and just enough winter chill to make you feel like you’re living in a tropical paradise and experiencing “winter” at the same time.]]> As the calendar flips to a new year, the big empty boxes and blank lines on To Do lists await our dreams for the New Year: lose weight, save money, learn French and more selfcare]]> Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude and reflection. It’s a cherished holiday where we gather to reconnect, share meals, and appreciate each other’s company. ]]> Storms roll in, and as long as they are not hurricanes, I find them to be very peaceful. It gets dark for a bit, and the world has to pause for at least a few minutes – longer, if you have the time to wait it out. ]]> A friend invited me to join her for a weekend retreat. It included yoga, meditation, nature walks, organic vegan meals – she had me at retreat]]> At a recent yoga workshop, the teacher suggested that at this moment in history, we humans – collectively – are suffering from an imbalance of the root chakra.]]> Hearing from students that they’ve been inspired to pursue further study of history as a direct result of conversations we’ve had never gets old, and is a powerful reminder that how I have chosen to spend most of my time over the last 30 years of my life matters.]]> Really no different than all of the polarities in our lives: bright side/dark side, half-full/half-empty, and the fundamental good/evil. The cool thing about dreams and nightmares is that they, for real, cannot hurt us, so it may be easier to view them with a curious mind. ]]>