Each May, the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting is held at the Century Link Center in Downtown Omaha. This year, nearly 40,000 people descended on this charming Midwestern city to hear Warren Buffett speak. I was one of those people. Publicly traded companies are required to hold an annual shareholders meeting. Most attract somewhere around 100 shareholders. So you might be wondering, why is this particular meeting so popular? Simple. It's an opportunity to listen to the most successful investor of all time answer questions (candidly) about investing, the state of the world and life. And LOTS of folks want to hear what Warren has to say. Check out the crowd above. What impresses me most about Mr. Buffett is not how much money … [Read more...] about The Wisdom of Warren Buffett
Yellow Nails and Purple Hair
While waiting for my nails to dry at the salon today, a little girl, maybe 4 or 5 and her Mom walked in. Mom was scheduled for a manicure and the little girl was having her toenails painted. Mom asked her to pick out a color and the little girl chose a bright taxicab yellow. Mom said no, choose another one and suggested pink. The little girl picked up another yellow polish and asked, this one? Mom said no again and suggested yet another pink polish. I'm not sure what the outcome was. My nails were dry and I decide to leave. My heart broke for that little girl. Her desire for yellow nails got me thinking. So many women (and men) worry constantly about being judged. We conform in order to fit in. We do things we don't want to do. We dress … [Read more...] about Yellow Nails and Purple Hair
Curiosity, Carburetors and Weight Loss
I thought that title might get your attention. It'll all make sense, promise. Curiosity A few years ago I picked up a little book by professor and clinical psychologist, Todd Kashdan. I can't recall how I stumbled upon it (maybe twitter), but Dr. Kashdan's Curious changed my life. You should read it. Good stuff. While reading that book, I had my very first aha moment. I heard Oprah talk about aha moments over the years. A moment of clarity. The instant at which the solution to a problem becomes clear. A defining moment where you gain real wisdom. All just words, until that day. Something about the book flipped a switch in my head. Happiness isn't something you find or stumble upon or buy. It's a result of inquisitiveness, learning new … [Read more...] about Curiosity, Carburetors and Weight Loss
Talking to Strangers
Putting a voice to your soul helps you let go of the negative energy of fear and regret. ~Shannon Alder *** When I was a little girl, I was shy. Not your typical, run of the mill shy. I'm talking shy with a capital S-H-Y! The mere possibility of having to speak to a stranger sent me into a state of panic. There was this little Italian Delicatessen called Natoli's a few blocks from my house in Secaucus. It was one of hundreds, maybe thousands, that dot the streets of Northern New Jersey. My Dad and I would occasionally walk to Natoli's to pick up our weekly Friday night pizza pie. The owner of Natoli's was a big jovial guy named Steve - and Steve scared the shit out of me! Wait, what? How does jovial equal scary? Steve would always give … [Read more...] about Talking to Strangers