I love watching the sunset, especially over water. The sunrise is a totally different story…I would enjoy it a lot more if it didn’t occur so early in the morning!  But there is something about rising before the sun on Easter morning to join fellow believers in the most special ceremonious celebration of the Christian faith that adds to the attraction!...

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I thoroughly enjoyed watching the winter Olympics! There is something very special about seeing those athletes embrace their moment of glory. Win or lose, the experience of participating in the Olympics, and the preparation involved is admirable.  I am amazed by the athleticism and the authenticity of each athlete, and each sport.
The power is palpable, the emotion engaging and the courage, contagious...

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I read the weather forecast last weak and learned that it was going to be sunny and 65 at the beach for the next few days.  That was all the encouragement I needed to pack my bags and head for the island!  After the cold snap we have experienced already, I was more than ready for a warm sunny day at the beach.  And it was beautiful!!  I got in on Monday just in time to see the sunset and it was nothing short of stunning.  A rainbow of hues filled the sky and a unique patch of fog forged a magical illusion for an amazing arrival to my island adventure...

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Working out at the YMCA is one of my favorite weekly rituals. I try to make it to group fitness classes at least three times a week, more whenever possible. Believe it or not, research suggests that just 3 hours a week can have a significant impact on your overall health and longevity. I always enjoy seeing familiar faces, as well as making new friends. So why do I get so frustrated with all the ‘newbies’ at the beginning of each New Year?? It never ceases to amaze me how FULL the parking lot gets for the entire month of January...

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In this season of anticipation, I suspect we will all do our share of waiting.  Waiting in line at the store or the post office, waiting for that special card or package to arrive, even waiting for the wave of inspiration for that perfect gift idea…And ultimately waiting on the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.  I find it ironic that my column last month addressed patience as a virtue, professing my total lack of it and my disdain for waiting.  And the following week I headed to Walt Disney World…the land of lines!  I found it fascinating how long and patiently I waited in line with hundreds of other people, all enjoying the anticipation of what was to come.  We waited over an hour for one attraction, in spite of the projected wait time of 120 minutes!   All for a ride that lasted less than three minutes!   Why do we do that??...

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‘They just don’t make them like they used to!’

This is a timeless truth; applicable to almost anything you can think of, but especially indicative of current careers.  Past generations went to work for a company with the intention of being employed through retirement.  They offered loyalty and longevity with the expectation of the same from their employer.  Many of our parents worked for the same company for decades, retiring with the proverbial pension and gold watch.  Those days are long gone and for good reason...

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I made my annual trek to Greenville last weekend for the big Homecoming festivities.  It was awesome catching up with my old college friends and making new ones too. This year was particularly poignant, as it is the 25th anniversary of my first graduation from East Carolina University.  How can that be??  There is no way I am that old!  But when I look at my friends’ kids, I realize we really ARE that old!  But life is good, and I am still betting it beats the alternative!...

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I celebrated my birthday at the beach recently (as I often do).  Though it started as a bit of a dilemma when my brother invited me to join him for the ECU vs. UNC game in Chapel Hill.  He is a huge Tarheel fan, with primo season tickets, and I am the lone Pirate in the family.  It was tough at first, until I realized attending the game would preclude my Thursday departure and keep me from the beach for 3 days of my long Birthday weekend...

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I attended church on the beach last Sunday and it was awesome as always.  I just love being able to roll out of bed at 7:45, brush my teeth, throw on some shorts and come as I am!  I wonder how many others would attend church more often if it was always this simple.  When I am at the beach in the winter I enjoy laying in bed watching church on TV.  Rolling over and hitting the remote, snuggling under the covers with my hubby and my dog is almost as cozy as the summer service on the beach.  I considered resorting to the remote this time but something moved me to action …it reminded me of the old expression ‘when the spirit moves me’...

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