Wendy’s Window

Discouragement Does Not Have To Become Disengagement The mid-term elections are right around the corner and there is a lot happening in our country and around the world right now. Depending on whom you talk to, people are concerned, frustrated, hopeful, disappointed, angry, confused or perhaps a combination of all the above. I understand those feelings. There are things happening in government, in our communities, and throughout the world that can leave us wondering what can

There are moments in life that cause you to stop, sit quietly, and simply take it all in. I recently experienced one of those moments when I learned that my alma mater, Riverside Polytechnic High School, will induct me into its Hall of Fame. I graduated from Poly in 1979. When I heard the news, my heart was filled with gratitude, but also emotion. I found myself thinking about that young girl walking the halls of Riverside Poly all those years ago. She had dreams. She had det

Forgiveness has always been part of my lifestyle and a principle I live by. I also believe forgiveness is an emotion that can play a factor in our overall health. When we hold onto unforgiveness, resentment and bitterness can live and cause all sorts of health issues. October gives us an opportunity to talk about mental health and the role it plays in our overall well-being. And perhaps one of the most important things we can do is remind ourselves that mental health is healt

There is one thing we can be certain of in life: we cannot be certain about everything. We are living in times when many people are wondering what might happen next. There is uncertainty surrounding our jobs, businesses, finances, communities, government, health, families, and even the world around us. Turn on the news or scroll through social media, and it can sometimes feel as though another crisis is waiting around the corner. That uncertainty can create fear. It can cause

When I learned of the passing of Gloria Steinem at the age of 92, I found myself thinking not only about the woman she was, but about the world women were living in when she began using her voice. For younger generations, it can be difficult to imagine an America where many of the things women experience today were not assumed. Women encountered enormous barriers in employment, finance, politics, education and decisions concerning their own lives and bodies. Gloria Steinem he

As an author, I understand the importance of the spine of a book. We may be drawn to the cover, inspired by the title, and moved by the words written on the pages, but there is something else quietly doing its job, the spine. The spine holds everything together. Without it, the pages can become loose, separated, and eventually scattered. The same can be true of a family. Most families have, or have had, someone who serves as the spine. This is the person who keeps everybody c