How To Understand People

Actress Susan Sarandon's clothing -- or lake thereof -- caused quite a stir at Saturday's SAG Awards. She wore nothing but a cleavage-baring bra under a white jacket, a look some deemed inappropriate given that she presented the in memoriam segment of the show. Needless to say, Sarandon is making the rounds on social media today. While some are saying she pulled it off nicely, others feel she dressed in poor taste. While we can expect the debate over whether her getup was too unseemly for an in memoriam tribute to rage on for days, there's another question that's worthy of discussion: Should the 69-year-old Sarandon be dressing this way in the first place? Jennifer Lopez, who's 46 but sports the body of someone half her age, similarly gets flak for dressing very provocatively. Some people feel she's setting a bad example for other young women out there, especially considering she's a mother of two. I feel women like Sarandon and Lopez are entitled to...

Scientists from the University of Oxford have found that women with larger than average butts are not only increasingly intelligent but also highly resistant to chronic illnesses. The results suggest that women with bigger backsides tend to have lower levels of cholesterol and are more likely to produce hormones to metabolize sugar. Therefore, women with big butts are less likely to have diabetes or heart issues. What's more, having a big butt requires an excess of Omega 3 fats, which have been proven to catalyze brain development. The researchers also found that the children born to women with wider hips are intellectually superior to the children of slimmer, less curvy mothers. Having a big butt also favors leptin levels in the female body, which is a hormone responsible for regulating weight, and the dinopectina, a hormone with anti-inflammatory, vascular-protective and anti-diabetic properties. The adipose tissue of the buttocks traps harmful fatty particles and pre...

There's a saying that one should always work to live, not live to work, and I wholeheartedly agree. In our deathbed, we won't be saying, Gee, if only I had worked more, I would have had a much more fulfilling life." Instead, a happy life is measured by memorable experiences and time spent with loved ones. Yes, promotions and other personal accomplishments make us feel good about ourselves, but will they figure prominently in the legacy we leave behind? Probably not. That's why we shouldn't let our jobs overtax us. It's fine to work hard, but not to the point of losing a lot of sleep and having it interfere with our personal lives. Once work trickles into your marriage/relationship and prevents you from enjoying life outside of work --whether that means playing with your kids or hanging out with friends -- that's when you know you may have to tone it down or get another job. It may be that you're single and love your job so much that you don'...

A recent study reveals that many people spend an average of six hours at the mall with each visit. We've all been there: We intend to make a quick purchase at the mall, whether it be a t-shirt or pair of shoes, only to wind up spending several hours there. Not surprisingly, the higher the number of people accompanying us, the more challenging it becomes to keep the visit under an hour. But six hours seems like a boatload of time. Can you imagine how many hours of exercise or reading you could put in if you stayed home instead? I would assume that many mall-goers purposely while the day away at the mall (especially if there's inclement weather or there are children in tow), while others simply lose track of the time while browsing countless stores. The problem with the latter is that it often translates into people buying far more things and spending far more money than they should. The solution? Consumers should aim to leave the mall as soon as they've snagged what ...

A lot has been made of the Blizzard of 2016, otherwise known as "Snowzilla," which has dumped much of the East coast with record levels of snow. But did you know a snowstorm that struck Virginia in the late 1700s was so potent that it forced a pair of founding fathers to stay indoors? Indeed, the Washington and Jefferson Snowstorm of 1772, which kept George Washington and Thomas Jefferson holed up in their respective Virginia plantations, walloped the colony from the 26th through the 29th of January. The storm is so named because both men wrote in their weather diaries of unprecedented levels of snow falling in the vicinity. When it was all said and done, the snowstorm may have dumped as much as three inches of snow on the region, making it one of the biggest of its kind to ever hit the Virginia/DC area. Had you ever heard of the Washington and Jefferson Snowstorm before? Have you ever experienced a snowstorm yourself?

If you could have a bigger version of something you currently have, what would it be? Would you opt for: A bigger bank account A bigger brain A bigger house A bigger butt or breasts A wider circle of friends A bigger ego Anything not listed here? I'm guessing most people would opt for the bigger bank account or house. As I've said here before, money and material possessions make you happier only up to a certain point.  I'm content with my life as it is now. I feel blessed to have a good job, loving wife, and great friends and family. I am also grateful for this blog and all the terrific people I've met on it. I feel the best moments and experiences in life are those money can't buy.  What about you?

Can you take a wild guess as to whom I'm talking about? Yep, it's Donald Trump. Whether I'm watching TV, listening to the radio, using Facebook, or reading the newspaper, Trump continues to saturate all media. We're either forced to look at his bizarre hair or hear him talk someone down in his usual bombastic manner. The man is entertaining, I'll give him that much. If he were to host a talk show -- mind you, I watched every season of "Celebrity Apprentice" - I'd be the first one to watch it. But that's just it. He's part businessman, part entertainer. I don't feel he's fit to be President of the United States. I've never seen the media zero in on a celebrity or politician to this extent. He puts Kim Kardashian to shame! It's clear that Trump helps the network garner higher ratings, which is why -- despite all the vitriol he spews out -- they continue to cover him. This is precisely why I look forward to the primar...

Today's quote comes from Dr. Seuss of all people: "Sometimes you will never know the value of something until it becomes a memory." - Dr. Seuss I couldn't agree more with this quote. I'm sure most of us would concur that our youth is the perfect example of something we tend not to appreciate until later, when we can no longer relive those years. I often think about how zealous I was to graduate from college and go out into the real world. While there's a lot to be said about attaining financial security as a working professional, I don't see myself ever being able to recapture the magic of my college years. It's really a unique, transformative time in one's life -- your first taste of freedom, the first time in your life where you actually feel like and are regarded as an adult. I feel my years before college were largely forgettable, and life in corporate America (post-college) is essentially like reverting back to high school, where o...

Judging from the content of some people's Facebook posts and how frequently I see them come up on my Wall, it would seem that they have the perfect life. For example, a girl I've known since elementary school, who has two kids from different fathers, posts almost every day that she LOVES her new boyfriend. Then there are those women who engage in what I like to call "child worship." They post an endless barrage of baby pictures with such captions as "my happy family." I'm not saying there's anything wrong with these types of posts, or that people are never being truthful in them, but why must they disseminate them so often? Call me crazy, but when someone has to come out and say "I'm happy, look at me" several times each week, it smells of pretentiousness and leads me to think they're anything but. I know that parents have it rough the first five or so years of a child's life, but what good would posts detailing their ...

Whether you're currently in a long-term relationship or haven't been involved with anyone for several years, how long was it before you felt you were falling for him or her? I find the dynamics of relationships and attraction to be fascinating. Usually, it starts with one person (which tends to be the male) feeling attraction toward and courting the other. But let's face it: Sometimes it takes a while for a man to grow on a woman, if it ever happens. Just because he says nice things to her and gives her flowers doesn't guarantee her feelings for him will be anything more than platonic. In other cases, the woman goes along with it, but it's hard to distinguish whether she has feelings for the guy or is just doing it for the attention. Human beings don't like to be lonely, and some of us would much rather settle for someone we know isn't right for us than face uncertain dating prospects in the future. In addition, women are conscious of their "b...

It's no secret that our five senses -- sight, touch, taste, smell, and sound -- exert a powerful influence on our everyday purchase decisions. Such is the argument made by Martin Lindstrom in "Brand Sense," which stresses that retailers that deliver a multi-sensory experience achieve greater sales and higher levels of brand awareness in the minds of customers. Here are a few findings that illustrate how important it is for companies to appeal to consumers' senses to shape their behavior: In a study published in the Journal of Consumer Research , Ronald E. Millman showed that the pace of music playing in the background of restaurants and stores had a considerable effect on spending, traffic flow, and service. The slower the music, the more people shop. The faster the music, the less money people fork over. Related studies have demonstrated that the slower the music at restaurants, the longer people stay wining and dining. In fact, the average bill for diners was 2...

Google "making out gross" and you'll find a plethora of websites and message boards in which hordes of women echo that very sentiment. Here are a couple of comments made by women who find french kissing all but revolting: "I am not a fan of prolonged kissing sessions/making out. It doesn't do much for me when it's with someone I like, and it repulses me if I am not very into the person." "I very infrequently enjoy making out. I'm no germophobe, but the thought of someone's warm, wet salivary secretions being pushed into my mouth and back into their mouth over and over again is just nasty." "My nose is almost always blocked so I can't really breathe when I make out...Also...It's a little boring? Like just sitting there making out? Ehn..." "I have a slight issue with people being up in my face for too long. It makes me start to panic. So yeah, prolonged kissing can be an issue." Interesting, huh? ...

Today's quote comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), an American poet, essayist, and lecturer who led the Transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century: "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." - Ralph Waldo Emerson It's amazing how Emerson's words ring especially true in this digital era we live in. Whether it's on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, people are always trying to one-up each other in an effort to get as many "likes" and positive comments as they can get. They lose sight of their true selves and instead turn into the individuals society wants them to be. In essence, they sell out for social approval. Indeed, society says that we should do all the following: Look as skinny as possible Have as many kids as possible Get married as early as possible Work in the most prestigious high-paying jobs (vice president, etc.) Possess as much money and materi...

Most of us have a tendency to think about the things we don't have rather than the things we do. We often envy those who have something we lack rather than pity those who are far less fortunate than we are. I am guilty of this myself at times. For example, I live near a stretch of school zones that takes a good 30 minutes to get through during rush hour on a bad day. Sometimes my drive to work (and back home) takes an hour -- mind you, I'm driving a distance of a little over 8 miles. That's how ugly the traffic gets here. On these bad days-- it happened this morning, actually-- I feel the temptation to begrudge those who have a quick, easy commute. But then I stop and remind myself that there are many people in the world who would take that long commute in a heartbeat if it meant they could have a car to drive in -- or a home to drive to. Far too many people envy friends, relatives and neighbors with bigger houses, flashier jewelry, or more luxurious cars. What esca...

Time flies! Can you believe that it's January 21st already? Weren't we just celebrating Christmas and ringing in the New Year? It seems like it was merely days ago that I was vacationing in sun-drenched Orlando. Indeed, time waits for no one, especially as we get older. Before we know it, the holidays will be right around the corner once again. If you use Facebook, you've probably noticed its nifty "On This Day" feature, which lets you view posts you submitted or were tagged on one, two, even four years ago. You see some of these and ask in sheer disbelief, "Was this really posted THAT long ago?" Some of the alerts I've received include posts about items we checked off our To-do List for our wedding, which took place almost two years ago. February should go by even faster, considering the month has fewer than 30 days. The time of year that flies by the quickest is undoubtedly the holidays. Once Halloween arrives, the final two months of t...

As you know, I love sharing information on historic properties throughout the United States and, more broadly, the world. In this post, I'd like to shed light on a little-known Maine gem. The Bray House is a historic house located at 100 Pepperell Road in Kittery Point, Maine. It is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Maine. Long considered to be a 17th-century house, architectural evidence suggests that this house was likely built around 1720. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The Bray House is set on the south side of Pepperell Road, on a site overlooking the Piscataqua River. It is a 2-1/2 story wood frame structure whose main block is five bays wide, with a side gable roof, clapboard siding, large central chimney, and granite foundation. The entrance, centered on the river-facing south facade, is flanked by sidelight windows and pilasters, and is topped by an entablature. A two-story extension to the east adds two bays, and a narro...

Studies show that feeling more confident is as easy as changing your posture. Stop what you're doing for just a second and do the following: Stand with your legs and feet shoulder-width apart while placing your hands on your waist. Feel more empowered? Studies suggest that this position of power conveys dominance and determination. In fact, people assuming the pose prior to a date or job interview have reported feeling more confident throughout. While the pose can't be singled out as the sole reason for a good date or interview, people say it definitely helps. I wouldn't overdo it, though. Standing this way for extended periods of time might communicate that you're pompous and aim to call all the shots. As with all else in life, moderation is key! So the next time you're nervous about an upcoming speech, interview, or date, try this out and see if it works for you. Have you ever assumed this pose at work or anywhere else? Has it made you feel more conf...

The Guinness World record for the longest continuous kiss stands at a whopping 58 hours, 35 minutes and 58 seconds! It was achieved in 2013 by Ekkachai Tiranarat and Laksana Tiranarat, a married couple hailing from Bangkok, Thailand. They achieved the feat in a Valentine's Day "kissathon," earning them a $3,300 cash prize and two diamond rings. The event began with nine couples who were not allowed to sit, rest or sleep. They also had to go to the bathroom together with their lips locked. The Tiranarats also emerged victorious in the 2011 contest. Wow! Can you imagine locking lips with someone non-stop for more than two days?  What if the urge to eat, sneeze, or use the bathroom were to strike? Without question, you have to be comfortable with your partner and wholly committed to winning in order to prevail against all odds. Would you ever enter a contest like this? Do you think you'd stand a chance at winning?

Contrary to popular belief, venting our frustrations in an overtly aggressive or hostile way -- whether by puncturing a pillow with a knife, punching a wall, or screaming at your neighbor -- doesn't help us feel better. If anything, it has the opposite effect. Studies have found we feel even more upset after doing these things. Engaging in aggressive or destructive behaviors when we're upset not only adversely endangers our well-being, but it potentially puts others at risk. Some people have been known to get wasted and drive erratically after some disappointing event, whether it's a fight with their boss that ultimately led to their being fired or having their partner break up with them unexpectedly. You can only imagine how terrible the consequences of such reckless acts. Once it has all passed, we experience a host of emotions ranging from regret to shame. Instead of reaching for a knife or bottle, there are other things we can do to channel our anger in more constru...

When most people think of Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), they think of a bespectacled, older-looking Founding Father of the United States who also happened to dream up some pretty neat inventions.  I find him to be the most fascinating of the Founding Fathers, alongside Thomas Jefferson. Not only were these guys masters in the art of politics, they each went on to design everything from buildings to stoves. In essence, it could be argued they statesmen as much as they were inventors.  In this post, I'd like to share five interesting facts about Franklin that I recently dug up. If you already knew these or would like to share any others not mentioned here, please feel free to do so in the comments section.  1. Franklin designed a musical instrument used by musical geniuses Mozart and Beethoven. Franklin designed what he dubbed a “glass armonica,” an instrument meant to replicate the distinct sound that a wet finger makes when rubbed along the rim of a glass. ...

This week, two women at my company rejoiced in the fact that Friday was pay day. The jubilation was short lived, however, because they then realized and related that every cent would have to be used toward their mounting heap of bills. I find it utterly disturbing that people are so deep in the hole as to be unable to put any money into savings. People who find themselves in such dire financial straits tend to be undisciplined when it comes to saving money. To be fair, certain unfavorable life circumstances some people face at a young age -- from parents getting divorced to an unexpected pregnancy to drug abuse -- don't exactly plant the seeds for financial prosperity. But I have no pity for those who are in such a pickle as a result of reckless spending habits. I've beaten this topic to death on my blog, but it's worth repeating: One should always strive to live within -- or, even better, below -- his or her means. If money is tight, stay in and cook rather tha...

Obviously, we live in all of these at different moments. Whether we're past-, present, or future-oriented depends largely on how we're feeling at a given point in time. For example, when something good happens, we tend to become very focused on the present and on the fruits that the favorable circumstance will bear in the future. If we're feeling a little blue about our current prospects, we may start thinking back to a time when things were going more smoothly in our lives. The more optimistic among us, however, might look forward to brighter days ahead. Many people say harping on the past isn't healthy, and I agree -- a line has to be drawn somewhere. But only by considering history -- our prior successes and failures, our earlier ups and downs -- can we can guide our behavior toward the ends we seek in the present and future. In other words, you need to examine the past in order to build on your triumphs and prevent making the same mistake twice (or more time...

I've come a long way since graduating from college: I landed a good job, bought a new car and condo, married the love of my life, and have traveled considerably. Why is it, then, that I can't help but reminisce -- fondly, I might add -- about the days when I was a broke college student? After giving this some serious thought, I arrived at a possible answer. It isn't so much that life gets more dull as you get older. What it becomes is more predictable, and you no longer have the flexibility to do the things you did in your 20s. Many of us spend the first couple of years of our college experience exploring which career paths we want to pursue. I myself switched majors once, and I know several people who did so multiple times. Once we've pinned down a major, we usually have choice of activities we can partake in to enhance what we learn in the classroom -- from extracurricular activities to opportunities to travel abroad. Then comes the uncertainty surrounding...

David Bowie, a pop music icon and master of makeovers, lost his valiant 18 month battle with cancer on Sunday. He was 69. Neither his publicist nor a statement posted on his social media accounts provided details on what type of cancer the singer had. Bowie's death has been at the center of various Internet hoaxes over the last few years. So the news came as a shock to fans and industry insiders when it was confirmed. "Genius is an overused word but I think musically, creatively, artistically, David Bowie was a genius," said British Prime Minister David Cameron. "He was a master of reinvention, and one of the things that's so incredible is almost all his reinventions were incredible successes and worked brilliantly. And so we mourn the loss of a great talent." The flamboyant artist's songs, from "Changes" and "Fame" to "Heroes" and "Modern Love," were huge hits, played constantly on the radio and inspiring ge...

University of Rochester researchers discovered that women who wear red may be more attractive to men. The study featured various experiments in which groups of about 30 male undergrads looked at black-and-white headshots of a young woman standing against either a white, green, red, gray, or blue background. Results indicated that the men perceived women standing in front of a red backdrop as more attractive and more sexually attractive, and were more likely to want to date them. Moreover, when men were asked to point out what factored into their attractiveness rating, few mentioned the background color, suggesting that the preference for red is subconscious. Red is also a color we not only associate with boldness, energy, and sexiness (think lipstick), but love: Think about how often you see red roses and red boxes of chocolates on Valentine's Day. I've also heard that those driving red cars generally get more speeding tickets. There you have it, ladies. If you want t...

I read an article today in Preservation magazine that sheds light on one of the country's little-known gems. Set in a small community roughly 34 miles from Cleveland, Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college steeped in history. It was founded in 1833 by John Jay Shipherd and Philo P. Stewart, both Presbyterian ministers. The college was built on 500 acres of land donated by the previous owners: Titus Street, founder of Streetsboro, Ohio, and Samuel Hughes, who resided in Connecticut. Its namesake city, Oberlin, was known as an abolitionist stronghold. In fact, it served as a major stop on the Underground Railroad. Oberlin College is distinguished as the first college in the United States to admit African-American students (1835) and to offer bachelor's degrees to women (1841) in a coeducational program. The Allen Memorial Art Museum, designed by renowned architect Cass Gilbert (who also designed the Woolworth Building in New York, the world's tallest build...

You may have already heard or read that the Powerball lottery now sits at a whopping $800 million. It's reasonable that anyone would intend to use some of that money on some pure indulgences, from resplendent mansions to luxurious jewelry. What disturbs me, though, is that I've hardly heard anyone say they'd use some of the money toward noble causes, like: Donating to charities  Donating to schools Helping preserve historic buildings and monuments Building new schools, hospitals, and other facilities  Creating new jobs for thousands of people Repairing and rebuilding crumbling infrastructure  Instead, all I hear is talk of using the money to buy lavish things that none of us really need. The world has gone to hell in a hand basket. $800 million is far more than any one person or family would ever need. I hope that whoever wins will put truly needy people before themselves. I'm sure a good chunk of that payout would do organizations like St. Jude Chil...

Should men always be the ones to drive the car, or should women offer to do so once in a while? Here's my take: A few weeks ago, I submitted a post in which I stated that men should always offer to pay in the early stages of the relationship. However, once the pair have been together for a couple of years, it'd be nice for the woman to occasionally offer to pay for dinner, movie tickets, or something else that won't break the bank. Even if the man is well off enough to pay it himself each time, it's the thought that counts. I bring that same line of reasoning to this post, which poses whether men should always drive. In the courtship stage, men should always offer to drive, whether it's to the beach or a concert. Once the relationship matures, it makes a nice gesture for the woman to volunteer, especially if the day marks a special occasion (birthday, promotion, etc.). After all, is there any harm in driving a few short miles? When it comes to road trips, ...

For as long as I can remember, I've enjoyed staying up late at night -- even it's been a school or work night. I'm what you would call a night person. Others might describe me as a night owl. To me, there's no time like the middle of the night. It's quiet, relaxing -- the perfect setting for reading a good book, writing a poem, getting lost in contemplation, or taking a leisurely stroll beneath a striking starry sky. As I've gotten older, staying up late on work nights has become something of a challenge. Sometimes I get home so tired that I don't make it past 11. And getting adequate sleep really makes a difference in one 's day. I don't function well without  at least 6 hours of shut-eye. That's why I make every effort to at least stay up on weekends. A real sense of peace and tranquility eludes me in the daytime, when it's common to hear dogs barking, construction crews hard at work, and other intrusive disturbances. It's also ...

A Pennsylvania company that publishes business newsletters will pay about $1.75 million to thousands of employees who were told to clock out while taking short breaks, including for the restroom. A federal judge has given the U.S. Department of Labor and the Malvern-based company, American Future Systems Inc., until Thursday to submit proposals on managing payment. The company contended that it wasn't required to pay employees for short breaks. The bill includes damages and back pay to 6,000 employees at offices in New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania between 2009 and 2013. The Department of Labor filed a lawsuit in 2012 stating the company violated the federal Fair Labor Standards Act because employees weren't earning minimum wage when the company required them to clock out for breaks. I feel sorry for all the employees who had to pay the price for the company's blatant flouting of the law. With the economy still recovering from the recession, people throughout the...

On this day in 1759, George Washington, then a 26-year-old rising young officer in the colonial British army, married Martha Dandridge Custis, a wealthy and educated mother of two. Washington adopted Martha's children -- he and Martha had no offspring of their own, raising suspicions that Washington may have been sterile -- and the couple was married for 40 years until Washington's death in 1799. Here's an interesting fact you may not know: Historical documents suggest Martha may not have been the love of George's life. Before and even during his marriage to Martha, the future U.S. president wrote passionate letters to Sally Fairfax, the wife of his friend George Fairfax. Still, he resigned his British military commission to marry Martha, with whom he lived a gentile aristocratic lifestyle. While George doted on his adopted children and respected his wife's parenting choices, Martha was a devoted wife, frequently accompanying Washington to headquarters during ...

Most people are okay with doing #1 in public bathrooms, whether at work or in a restaurant. But many people are sheepish about doing #2 anywhere other than home. When I have to go potty, I go, no matter where I'm at. The only times I might be reluctant to take a #2 in a public restroom are when: There are too many people in the bathroom (whether all stalls are occupied or not) The stalls and toilets are poorly maintained (e.g. someone who used it before me didn't flush, leaving their excrement visible) There is no toilet paper in sight Doctors say it's a bad idea to hold the urge in until you get home. If anything, you could to a nearby McDonald's and use their restroom during your lunch break. If the urge strikes even sooner, tell your boss you'd like to run a quick errand, or take your lunch earlier. Many people are embarrassed to have a bowel movement in a public bathroom for fear that unpleasant smells or sounds emanating from the stall will be det...

I grabbed this from a picture someone posted on Facebook. It shows things we should/shouldn't do and consume more/less of if we are to live a truly healthy lifestyle. After reading the text, all I could say is "so true," and I'm sure you'd concur. It certainly makes for a nice list of potential New Year's resolutions for many of us: Less soda, more water Less alcohol, more tea Less sugar, more fruits Less meat, more vegetables  Less sitting/driving, more walking/exercising  Less worry, more sleep Less anger, more laughter Fewer words, more action Everything that follows "more" is known to contribute to a healthier life. For example, sleep is certainly essential to one's well-being. Without sufficient rest, one can't think clearly, adversely affecting their work, social interactions, and even their self-confidence. What's more, people who laugh and exercise more typically live longer lives, as many studies point out.  ...

You may be surprised to learn that many consumers often buy things that aren't necessarily in line with their personality. Why would they do this, you might ask? For starters, many people do it to fit in. For example, those who don't drink alcohol might still spring for a glass of wine at a Happy Hour event -- just so they can blend in with the crowd a bit more easily. Others might fork over the money for these purchases when it's something they can share with other people. You might be a museum hopper while your partner has no interest in such places. Still, he or she might purchase two tickets to the local art museum and take you there on your birthday. Studies have found that whether they buy material items like expensive watches or life experiences like vacations to the Bahamas, many consumers find themselves no happier following the purchase than they were before. Why? Chances are that the purchased doesn't align with their values and personality. A cou...

On this day in 1938, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, himself an adult victim of polio, founded the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, which he later renamed the March of Dimes Foundation, Mostly known as a childhood disease in the early 20th century, polio wreaked havoc on American children every summer. The virus, which affects the central nervous system, thrived in contaminated food and water and was easily transmitted. Those lucky enough to survive the disease usually suffered from debilitating paralysis into their adult lives. In 1921, at the relatively advanced age of 39, Roosevelt contracted polio and lost the use of his legs. With the help of the media and Secret Service, Roosevelt managed to keep his disease under wraps, yet his personal experience made his empathize with the handicapped and led him to the found the March of Dimes. In 1926, Roosevelt started the non-profit Georgia Warm Springs Foundation on the site of the springs he visited to avail of the waters’ thera...

If you found yourself chasing after friends or love interests last year who didn't put as much time and effort into your relationship as you, don't let this habit carry over into the new year. End it now! There's no reason why you should pine for someone's attention or company when your own should be sufficient. Sure, we all like to be in a relationship and have at least a couple of friends we can call and meet up when we're bored or lonely. But here's a key piece of information I'd like you to embed firmly in your mind: Friends and partners enhance our lives, not complete them.  You should never feel that your life is incomplete without friends, a partner, children, and so on. After all, we came into this world alone, and will be leaving it in similar fashion. Studies find that the more people enjoy their own company, the happier they are with their lives and the higher their self-esteem and self-worth. I'm not suggesting that you shouldn...