If there's something we can all agree on, it's that life can be wonderful. But it can also be unfair and unpredictable. We are always subject to unforeseen events and situations both in our personal and professional lives.  The company we envisioned working for until retirement suddenly shuts its doors.  Our spouse of 20 years files for divorce, claiming he or she no longer feels that "spark." This is precisely why I encourage people to remain nimble, to always expect the unexpected.  Though it's impossible to detach ourselves emotionally from the things and people we value, we need to approach them logically as well and accept that they may cease to be in our lives someday.  So how do we ensure we're not completely blindsided by unforeseen occurrences? For one, the mere act of visualizing yourself without that person or partner can help soften the blow.  And as the title of this post suggests, you needn't put all your eggs in one basket.  If you're si...

There are people in our lives who couldn't be bothered to pick up the phone and call or text us, no matter how many messages we've left for them. Chasing after them sends the message that, in spite of their cool detachment, you're going to continue pressing them for a response. Essentially, you're rewarding them for their unseemly behavior. Do they really deserve this special treatment? Absolutely not! If you've done your part to try to get in touch, the ball is in their court. Make it clear that you have your own priorities to worry about and that your world doesn't revolve around them. If taking a stand spells the end of that relationship, so be it. Your time will be much better spent on people who show an interest in you and make a conscious effort to maintain contact. Getting the cold shoulder from our partner, a friend, or a relative can be quite painful and perplexing, especially if it's someone we were once very close to. But just like t...

Have you ever stopped and asked: What if someone -- whether a world-renowned singer or acclaimed dancer -- weren't famous? Would they still leave the same legacy? In a blog post two days ago, I wrote about Jose Fernandez, a promising baseball star who died in a boating accident in Miami Beach on Sunday morning. Two other men on the boat -- both friends of his -- were also killed. The outpouring of grief across South Florida since the accident is unlike anything I've ever seen in baseball -- and in the community as a whole. Jose became something of a celebrity in his hometown and all around baseball, not only for his amazing talent but because of the energy he radiated on and off the field. You'd be hard-pressed not to find him smiling at, hugging, or laughing with someone. The two other men who died in the accident were not ballplayers or anyone famous -- they were just two regular young men whose lives were tragically cut short. Not surprisingly, Jose's frien...

Even if you're not a sports fan, you might have already learned of this in the news, as all the major media outlets are covering the tragic story. Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez and two others were killed in a boat crash in Miami overnight. This tragedy hits close to home, literally, as I was born and raised in South Florida and still live here to this day. I've followed the Marlins closely since the organization's inception in 1993. Over the years, I've watched countless Marlins games on TV or in person with my dad; we were even on hand for a few playoff games during their improbable championship run in 2003. Because my wife and I moved farther from the stadium last year -- and due to other commitments -- I haven't been as avid a fan the last couple of years, but I still try to catch a game every so often and keep up with the standings. Authorities say speed may have been a factor, and it doesn't appear that drugs or alcohol were involved. A Coast...

If you're feeling a little blue, all it takes to turn that frown upside down is a little mental rewiring. The best way to do this is to stay busy. Keeping your mind occupied prevents you from ruminating on negative things for too long. If you love animals, the "aww" moment you get from seeing a picture of a newborn kitten might be all it takes to change your mood. (This works for me, as I have a soft spot for animals.) Whether you enjoy sports, cooking, reality TV, or reading fiction novels, focusing on things you like pushes your thinking in a much more positive direction. The point is that sadness and negativity can eat away at us. Unfortunately, things of a negative nature have a much stronger effect on us than those of a positive nature. Is it any wonder the news is saturated with stories that center on death and murder? Remind yourself to always cancel out a negative thought with a positive one. DO NOT let the negative ones infiltrate and take over your mind! J...