In the traditional Christmas carol "Deck the Halls," the lyrics do not only encourage you to hang holly plants around the house, but they also insist that it is the time of year "to be jolly." Sure, the holidays may mean buying presents, attending parties, and cooking meals, but when you really break things down, the holidays are about spending time with family. And if your family is anything like mine, then there is certain to be QUITE a bit of laughter emanating from around the fireside. … read more

One of my favorite films of 2015 thus far is Pixar Animation Studios' Inside Out. In the 20 years since the studio's first release, Toy Story, Pixar has become a household name in terms of delivering quality, imaginative animated films, with stories and scripts that cater to both children and adults alike. Typically whimsical in nature, Pixar's films have also always contained many true to life themes, such as growing up, the importance of friendship, and loss. … read more

The Halloween season is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the decorations, the costumes, and the fact that you can wander around your neighborhood and get bags of free candy. But more than that, I love the scares that Halloween brings. Whether it’s sitting on the edge of your seat watching a horror flick, or holding a loved one close as your round the corner of a pitch black maze in the middle of a corn field, that sense of fear and terror has always gotten my heart racing. … read more

As I get older, my need for music seems to change slightly over time. Why is this? A few days ago I was chatting with some friends about going to an upcoming concert, yet I didn't have the urge to buy the tickets right away like I would have three years ago. I didn't feel the need to check every source of social media for event details, meet and greet times, or even look for contests to win free merchandise. Even that fact that I just spelled out "merchandise" instead of just saying "merch" shows how much this once favorite pastime of mine is falling by the wayside. … read more

These days, no one would question the importance of finding a partner whose personality is compatible with yours. In fact, it's really a must for the sustainability of the relationship. In the world of psychology, and now in the world at large, self-awareness and identifying one's lifestyle choices and preferences drives a type of personalization that wasn't quite as acceptable in the past. No longer do we live in a "one size fits all" world. There is not just one right way to live a life — but we can build a life based on what works best, just by understanding our own unique personalities. … read more