Gini Dietrich of Spin Sucks, invited her readers to participate in her annual Grateful Challenge. The premise – set a timer for 10 minutes and try to create a list of 99 things you are grateful for. Studies have shown that practicing gratitude can improve our happiness. So, Gini’s challenge is absolutely worthwhile! “It is…
PR Lessons from MasterChef Katie Dixon
MasterChef season 7 contestant, Katie Dixon grew up in Brookhaven, MS, and spent a good portion of her childhood on her grandparent’s farm working in the field with her grandpa and in the kitchen with her “mawmaw.” This is where she cultivated her love for cooking and for the people of Mississippi. Now, Katie is…
Creating a Campaign for Maximum Productivity
In the public relations world, daily task lists can feel comparable to water blasting at you uncontrollably from a fire hose. Achieving maximum productivity becomes an elusive goal, quickly draining away with distractions and interruptions. What if I told you you have the ability to take control and end your day with a fist pump,…
Girls’ Weekend in Atlanta
Last weekend I spent 40 hours in Atlanta with some girlfriends. We filled those hours with good conversation, delicious food and planned wandering. Even though our group of four was a small selection of a geographically dispersed friend group, we committed to making an annual girls’ trip. Once we start having kids and continue to…
P&G’s “Thank you, Mom” Campaign: Perpetuating Strength or Shame?
One hundred days prior to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Procter and Gamble aired an emotionally riveting and tear inducing commercial. If you haven’t seen it, watch it now, I’ll wait. In contrast to athletes dripping sweat, P&G’s commercial results in viewers dripping tears. I am admittedly one of them. Produced by Wieden & Kennedy,…
The Great Minnesota Tour
A year ago, I spent a week with old friends in a new place. There is something about seeing old friends that reminds you about who you are and who you want to be. I met these old friends in Italy during a study abroad trip seven years ago and we have been best friends…
The Pursuit of Health Shouldn’t Be a Source of Judgment
How one chooses to pursue fitness and health shouldn’t be a source of judgment. Externally, we can judge a particular physical practice, be it bodybuilding or water aerobics. Internally, we can judge our abilities, and critique and compare. Judging other’s routines makes us feel superior. Judging ourselves rips our insides apart. Externally and internally –…
Pearl River Blues Farm Jam
Blueberries, music and sunshine – throw them together and you have the Pearl River Blues Farm Jam. Each year, the Pearl River Blues Berry Farm, nestled in Lumberton, Mississippi, opens its fields for people to pick blueberries. Painted on a sign, at the entrance of the blueberry rows, is the quote: “Act as if what…
Weekend in Savannah
Savannah is unlike any city I have visited in the U.S. Live oaks draped with Spanish moss, unique architecture and grassy squares transport you to a different era. For my birthday and Memorial Day Weekend, my husband and I explored Savannah, GA. To keep our trip budget friendly, we camped at Skidaway Island State Park,…
Conquering Your Fears
When it comes to physical challenges, courageous is not a word I would use to describe myself. I over-analyze, hesitate and then take a baby step. Instead of courage I express a variety of fears – fear of falling, fear of heights, fear of being uncomfortable, fear of the unknown. Send me to a foreign…