Earth day is quickly approaching. Do you ever observe it? If not, why not?
I’ll be the first to admit it: Observing Earth Day isn’t always at the top of my springtime to-do list. Instead of motivating me to take better care of the environment, it usually makes me feel guilty that my day-to-day choices aren’t as earth friendly as they could be and obligated to spend my day purging my home of toxic products, stocking up on green alternatives, planting a dozen trees and spending hours picking up trash in the neighborhood park.
Who has the time and resources for all that — let alone the energy? [More]

I’ll confess: I watch TikToks. Yes, you heard me right. My teenage daughters got me into them by sending me cute animal videos. Now, when I am bored, I find myself scrolling through streams of videos, from adorable dog reels to hilarious takes on what it means to be a Gen Xer. But, as cute as some of the videos can be, it isn’t all fun and games. Its got a dark side, too. [More]

Ready or not, Easter is only a little more than a week away. Can you believe it? Even though there isn’t quite as much retail pressure to make Easter a “perfect holiday,” there is still the tug to “do it all.” Easter baskets and egg hunts; fancy brunches and matching outfits; family gatherings and sunrise services — it all adds up, and our energy reserves can easily become depleted by just thinking about it all! This is especially true for people with a rare disease or chronic illness. Making the most of the precious moments you have is important, but is it possible to make your energy stretch? [More]

As a person who recognizes the profound impact support animals have on individuals' mental, emotional and physical well-being, I also acknowledge the need to understand the legal distinctions between emotional support animals (ESAs) and service animals, especially concerning rights and protections under the law. These distinctions include legal requirements, documentation protocols, permissible inquiries by businesses and the ramifications of violating privacy laws like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Additionally, it is essential to acknowledge the supremacy of federal law over city or state statutes, particularly regarding matters such as breed restrictions, thereby ensuring equitable access for individuals with support animals. [More]

When it comes to snacks, a snack-sized bag of animal crackers is way more fun to eat than a bowl of baby carrots — unless you’re my son. When he was just 2 years old, the kid was aghast when we ran out of them.
After playing outside, he ran up to me midmorning, clearly hungry, and asked, “Mama, carrots please?”
“Sorry bud, but they’re all gone.”
With an audible gasp and mouth agape, he put his hands on top of his head as if to say, “Oh no!” but words failed him. [More]

Caregiving is a noble and fulfilling responsibility, but it can also be incredibly demanding. Many caregivers find themselves struggling to strike a balance between their caregiving duties, work commitments and personal lives. In this article shared by IG Living, we will provide you with practical tips to help you navigate this challenging but rewarding journey. [More]

It’s the most wonderful time of the year — or is it?
I usually look forward to the holidays, but I’m having a hard time with them this year. By the day after Thanksgiving, the hurry and the hassle of the season left me tired before I even started tackling my to-do list.
But it’s my family’s tradition to set up our tree and string up our twinkle lights as soon as Thanksgiving wraps up, so I shook off my stress and tried to be present — until hearing Bing Crosby’s rendition of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” for the third time in a row made my skin crawl. Before I knew it, I wanted to skip the holidays altogether. [More]

If you struggle to know what to say to or do for someone who’s hurting, you’re not alone. I’ve had my fair share of failures in this area. I tend to overthink my words, so I’m prone to staying quiet until I think of the “perfect” thing to say or do. As a chronic illness patient myself, I’ve been on the receiving end of my fair share of comments that are a little clumsy or ill-informed, but I’d rather receive well-intentioned, slightly awkward encouragement or help than none at all. [More]