I live in Atlanta but spend considerable time in Colorado. Specifically at about 7,100 feet higher in elevation. I learned that some people experience AMS - acute mountain sickness - and I have learned some proactive tips when visiting high altitudes.

I went from being 18 with $10 in the bank to having a customer care agent at Fidelity tell me that my 401(k) was one of the most impressive portfolios he had seen for my age (at 35). I learned so much along the way and am ready to share it with you.

As a child, I had heard about my Maw-Maw always walking with her friend Claudia. In Louisiana, they would find time to walk a couple of times a week. Even in the dead of summer and hurricane, you’d hear about Florence and Claudia “out on their walks again”.

As a parent of two children, I am constantly asked about my kids and tech. When did you start letting them watch TV? What shows? Do they watch YouTube? When did they get an iPad? Are you thinking about a phone for your oldest?

Research shows that the five general areas listed above are areas of focus for wellness. If we break down the habits we apply to these areas, we can develop our own mental stack.

Somehow as I have entered mid-life, I have accumulated doctors and routine checks of things like a child with Pokemon. Eye checkup, derm checkup, mammogram…I gotta catch them all.

Many years ago (over 20!), I was at my first corporate job. I walked in one day to work and on my desk (and everyone else’s) was a wall calendar for the upcoming year and a note from the CEO. He informed us that this wall calendar had intentionally been gifted to all employees and that we should note on Fridays there is now a block.

I think about the definition of “friendship” a lot in terms of modern times. 30 years ago, you may have had a friend in high school that you hung out with every day after school.

I’ll level with you. The number ONE THOUSAND seemed daunting at first. But, I was surprised how easily we crushed this goal not with one kid, but with both kids.

Did you ever have a Senior Skip Day in high school? I did. And I actually went to school on senior skip day because our school theater director said we would be in trouble if we missed rehearsals. I guess I’ve just always been a rule follower.

I don’t remember ever being read to. That’s not to say it didn’t happen but I have no memory of reading with family or by myself. It wasn’t until I was out of college that I started reading.