Holding Close What Matters Most

 Lately—today, yesterday, even last week—we’ve been hit with the news that people we loved, cared about, or admired have passed away. And yet, somehow, we still find ourselves arguing, holding grudges, or pouring energy into outrage over things that, in the end, don’t really matter.

 What does matter? Love. People. Friendships. Family. Life.

And life—fleeting, fragile, unpredictable—becomes more real with every passing year. It's impossible to ignore.

 

So check in on someone. Especially when things seem quiet—reach out. Not to rant about politics (because let’s be honest, most of it is just noise), but to tell someone what they mean to you. Remind them what makes them special.

 

I get it now—why my dad used to call up his old Army buddies just to say how much he appreciated them. They’d swap stories, laugh, and reconnect. That’s what it’s all about.

 

That’s life. That’s what lasts.

Rest in Peace Bob, 

Rest in Peace Cindy 

Before You Change Careers, Do This One Exercise

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Have you ever felt stuck when thinking about a career change?
You want to explore a new path, but you're not sure how to start. You know you have valuable skills, but you're unsure whether they’ll translate to a new role—or if they were only useful in your last job. It can feel overwhelming. Maybe you've even found yourself closing your laptop and thinking, “I’ll deal with it tomorrow.”

So how do you break through that feeling and get motivated?

Try this simple exercise:

1. Draw three columns on a piece of paper or in a document.

2. Find a job posting that interests you.
   In the first column, list the skills, qualifications, and requirements mentioned in that posting.

3. Reflect on your own background.
   In the second column, write down the skills and experience you already have that match what’s in the first column. Think broadly and deeply—review your past 10 years of work. What hard skills did you use? What soft skills did you demonstrate? What were your responsibilities—projects, presentations, team efforts, or specific tasks?

4. Capture your impact.
   In the third column, note the results of your efforts. What were the outcomes? Quantify where you can—how much, how many, what improved because of your work? How did your contributions help your team, department, or company succeed? Think about times you received praise, promotions, or awards. What did you do to earn them?

5. Don’t forget training or education.
   Include any certifications, courses, or relevant education—either in the second column (skills gained) or third (impact of those skills).

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Once you’ve finished, take a moment to acknowledge your progress.

You’ve just taken a significant step toward understanding your value—and you’ve begun building a stronger, more tailored resume.

You've got this.

Thinking About Changing Careers Later in Life? Here's How to Start

Making a career change in your later working years can be exciting and rewarding. Whether you're looking for a new challenge, more flexibility, or to follow a long-held passion, here are several steps to help you successfully navigate the transition:

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1. Research the Skills Required for Your New Career Path

Start by identifying the role or field you're interested in. Then, explore the skills commonly needed. A few ways to begin:

• Visit CareerOneStop for detailed occupation profiles.

• Type the job title into a search engine along with “skills needed.” AI tools can give you a quick overview.

• Look at both hard skills (technical knowledge, certifications) and soft skills (communication, leadership, problem-solving).

Ask yourself:

• a. Do you already have some of these skills?

• b. Can you give examples of how you've used them—successfully—in past roles or through transferable experience?

• c. If you're missing key skills, where can you develop them?

  • Consider options like:

    • Community colleges

    • Online platforms (Coursera, CareerFoundry, edX, LinkedIn Learning)

    • Programs like the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (for age 50+ learners)

• d. Will you need a certification or license to enter this field?

  • Look at job postings to see what employers are asking for.

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2. Tap Into Your Network

Do you know anyone currently working in this field? Reach out to:

• Ask questions about their experience

• Seek advice on entering the industry

• Explore potential mentorship opportunities
  Even casual conversations can open doors or provide valuable insight.

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3. Gain Experience Through Volunteering or Internships

Look for opportunities to:

• Volunteer in a related role

• Take on freelance projects

• Intern or assist with short-term assignments
  This allows you to build experience, expand your resume, and test the waters in your new field.

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4. Explore Contract, Temp, or Entry-Level Opportunities

Start small if needed. Look for:

• Temporary or part-time roles

• Entry-level positions that offer a foot in the door
  Be realistic about the starting salary—it may be lower than you're used to, but it's a stepping stone toward your goal.

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5. Create a Concrete Action Plan

Outline the specific steps you'll take, such as:

• Skills to learn (with target dates)

• Courses to enroll in

• People to contact

• Resume and LinkedIn updates

• Interview preparation
  Put your plan in writing and revisit it regularly to stay on track.

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Final Thought:
Changing careers later in life is entirely possible—and increasingly common. With clarity, planning, and a willingness to learn, you can transition into a role that aligns with your current goals, interests, and lifestyle.

Beach Days and Childhood Memories

Today, a friend and I spent the day at the beach, reminiscing and catching up. Our conversation drifted back to our childhoods and teen years, and we were surprised by how many shared memories we had of growing up at the New Jersey beaches.

I spent my summers at Takanassee Beach Club in Long Branch, while she went to Sands in Sea Bright. Back then neither place was anything fancy. Even though we belonged to different beach clubs, we realized that you don’t need a specific spot to feel connected to those memories.

Here are some of the things we laughed about. Chances are if you grew up on the NJ beaches or went to a public pool and are of a certain age, you'll have similar memories!

Bathing Caps

• Wearing a bathing cap in the pool was mandatory. They had chin straps that snapped at the jaw and they had this weird rubbery smell.
• Our moms wore them too—but theirs were decorated with big, colorful flowers.
• As we got older, we graduated to racer caps. They were definitely cooler.

The Snack Bar

• The snack bar was the heart of the club. I can still smell those burgers and hotdogs. Fries, ice cream cones, paper-wrapped push-up pops, frozen Milky Ways—it was all there.
• Once you were older, you hung out there with friends, played cards, or just waited out rainy days.
• The floor was like a boardwalk, and if you dropped your change, it was gone for good—straight through the cracks. Little kids would crawl underneath to collect coins and buy ice cream.
• When it rained, everyone huddled under the snack bar awning. It was the place to be.

The Hangout Area

• As teens, we drifted away from our parents and stuck with our friend group. We only circled back when we needed snack bar money.
• Our parents didn’t worry about us much—every now and then they’d look up to check, but mostly, they let us be.
• The locker areas became unofficial hangouts too.

 The Pool

• Mornings meant swim lessons in icy water. It was miserable—but we learned to swim.
• During adult swim, all the kids sat impatiently at the edge, waiting for the whistle so we could dive back in.

The Ocean

• We both had blow-up canvas rafts to ride the waves. Hers was blue and yellow and mine was blue and red.
• There were roped-off areas for swimming. I used to sit on the rope and do backflips into the water, dodging clumps of green seaweed.
• As little kids, we stayed in the water so long our lips turned blue—and we didn’t even care.

Biking to the Beach

• Once we got older, we rode our bikes to the beach on our own.
• Every so often, I’d get a ride home on someone’s handlebars—usually a crush. It was terribly uncomfortable, but I never complained.

Whether you grew up going to a beach club, a public beach, or your local pool, these kinds of memories stay with you. They remind us of the freedom of childhood summers—and how much we all really have in common.

Lessons in Learning and Development from a Viking Tour Guide

Reflections Inspired by a Viking River Cruise Experience

 

We recently returned from a Viking River Cruise—the Lyon and Provence itinerary—and while the journey was absolutely amazing (a photo-filled post is coming soon!), I wanted to focus this post on something different: learning and development skills, specifically those demonstrated by our exceptional tour guides. I was deeply impressed by the professionalism and skill of all our tour guides, especially our Avignon guide.

At the end of our tour, a fellow guest asked the guide how she became a tour guide for Viking and what she did to prepare. If you've ever experienced one of these tours, you know how knowledgeable and engaging the guides are. Their expertise doesn’t happen overnight—it’s the result of serious preparation and practice.

As I listened to her response, I was struck by how closely her process mirrors what we do as Learning & Development (L&D) professionals. Here's are the key steps she shared, in my own words—and how they align with effective L&D principles:

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1. Become a Subject Matter Expert

Immerse yourself in the content. Study it from every angle until you deeply understand it. Anticipate the questions your audience might have, and carefully curate the content you’ll present.

2. Find a Mentor

Shadow an experienced professional. Observe how they present, engage, and manage a group. Ask questions and absorb their methods—but don’t simply copy them. Develop your own voice and style, even while covering the same core material.

3. Create Compelling Content

Make your presentations engaging and memorable by:

• Sharing stories and real-life examples

• Incorporating visuals whenever possible

• Actively engaging your audience

4. Practice, Practice, Practice

Rehearse your material multiple times until it flows naturally. Confidence comes from preparation.

5. Seek Constructive Feedback

Ask for feedback on both your content and delivery style. Learn how effectively you’re answering questions and how well your message is being received.

6. Admit When You Don’t Know

If you're unsure about something, be honest. Take the time to research the answer and follow up. Your credibility increases when you show humility and follow-through.

7. Make It Interesting and Fun

Avoid being dry or monotonous. Keep your energy up and your delivery dynamic—your audience will stay engaged and retain more information. Our guide was warm, funny and enthusiastic!

8. Get Certified

In some cases, certification is required. In others, it enhances your credibility and demonstrates commitment to your craft.

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These principles aren’t exclusive to tour guiding or L&D—they're universal and relevant across many professions. What’s key is staying current in your field, being open to new techniques, and sharing what you learn. Whether you’re leading a group of travelers through ancient cities or facilitating a training session, the fundamentals of great content delivery remain the same.

Always be curious. Always be learning. Always be evolving.

The Eagle Pose and Change

Today in yoga, we practiced Eagle Pose—a posture where you wrap your arms and legs around each other while balancing on one leg. It’s a powerful pose that challenges your balance, focus, core strength, and stability. It’s not always easy! After holding it on one side, you unwind and repeat on the other.

Some days I can lift off and stay steady; other days, like today, I couldn’t even get my foot off the ground.

On the drive home, I kept thinking about Eagle Pose—how frustrating it can be, but also how it represents change. It requires moving in a way my body isn’t used to. Then, just as quickly, I return to what feels normal.

That got me thinking: in life and work, we’re often asked to do things differently—to stretch ourselves in unfamiliar ways. And while it can feel uncomfortable or awkward, if we don’t make those changes, we stay exactly where we are. When we stay where we are, we stop learning. Our productivity can stall, and we risk slipping into a rut.

Growth often begins with discomfort. Whether it’s on the yoga mat or in our daily routines, leaning into that challenge is what keeps us moving forward.

Volunteering Yourself Into a New Job

I started helping job seekers in 2009. It was during the height of a great recession when the job market was reeling from job loss and resulted in a sky-high unemployment rate. One of the issues I addressed with clients and in my job search training classes was volunteering – specifically volunteering in an area to sharpen existing skills or work on developing new ones.

Today, I was looking at volunteering activities for me. I wondered if I wanted to continue to help with life skills such as job search or seek something totally different like volunteering in a hospital. As I scanned the opportunities (google “volunteer opportunities near me”), I came upon an organization that has been around for years, SCORE. SCORE helps entrepreneurs start, grow or successfully exit a business.

I scanned the volunteer write up and read that the organization looks for people with valuable business skills to help local entrepreneurs.  Here is an example of what one chapter was looking for.

“You might be able to sharpen your email marketing, networking and social media skills while helping your local business community. If you are interested in aiding a local chapter with data and analytics, pulling reports, helping with local events, or serving in other capacities that will make your local chapter more effective, let us know.

Examples of chapter support roles include Community Ambassador, Partnerships & Fundraising, Media Contact for National and Local PR, Marketing, Chapter Administrator, Webmaster, and more.” Learn more at www.score.org/volunteer.

What better way to assist a local organization while developing and refining your own skills. This looks great on your resume as it shows that while on your job search you are giving back to the community and staying current in your field. It also boosts self-confidence, networking, and gratification.

So, check out volunteer opportunities in your field. It may lead to great things.