We wake up, get work, go back home and rinse and repeat – or at least it feels that way sometimes. In truth, there are a million moments in between where we interact with others and we can’t help but wonder what folks will think about us once we aren’t showing up, perhaps once we are gone. Some very thoughtful members of the community share their thoughts on this with us below.

DEBRA THOMAS

Lately, I’ve been training for a big adventure next May, walking the Camino de Santiago. I’ll be doing the Coastal Portuguese route, which starts in Porto and follows the beautiful Atlantic coastline before heading inland to Santiago de Compostela. Read More>>

John McCulley

I lose track of time when I’m riding my Harley or when I’m deep in coding. Both give me a sense of freedom and focus—whether it’s the open road clearing my mind or the flow of solving a complex problem line by line. In both, I find myself fully present, re-centered, and energized. It’s where I disconnect from distractions and reconnect with myself.” Read More>>

Daniela Ghiglieri

What I am most proud of building is the kind of leadership that is not always visible. It is the culture, the mentorship, and the unwavering support I give to the people around me. My success has come from leading with intention and showing up for my community in a way that feels real and inspiring. I believe leadership is about more than strategy or results. Read More>>

JANAN ASHTON

What is normal (lol)? I feel like my sense of normalcy does not reflect what most people refer to as “normal.” I live a very busy life, I normally have 16 hour days. I wake up around 6:00 and get my children to school at 7:30. I work my “9-5” (my foundational income as leadership at a school in the tri-state area) from 8:00-4 PM, sometimes even later, depending on the school event. From 4:30-5, I’m traveling to rehearsal. I have rehearsal from 6-10 4 days a week. Read More>>

Tiffany OBrien

The business of being an artist really is a full time job. I’m sure a lot of folks think being an artist and selling art is an easy and luxurious lifestyle. I’m sure some think that the artist sits and contemplates all day in a quaint little studio sipping coffee. And my word, the prices! People may think that, “wow that’s a lot of money, artists should be rich charging those prices.” Read More>>

Corona Olungaka Okusanya’s

I’d say I’m wandering with intention. My journey abroad began in January 2024, but truly, I’ve been on this path since September 19, 2023—the day my mother transitioned. That day, I began “healing out loud.” Before leaving America, I visited my mother’s sisters, great aunties, and cousins in Dallas and Oklahoma, collecting memories and family history for my book.  Read More>>

Liz Alterman

I’m going to self-publish a novel this fall. I’ve been educating myself on all that entails and I’m excited to continue to learn as I go.

Previously, I feared not only the numerous moving parts but also I dreaded the stigma that’s surrounded self-publishing in the past. I think the perception has been that it was an alternative for those who lacked other options. Read More>>

Michael Smith

Life gets hectic and stressful so, spending time in my studio wrapped up in a piece of artwork gives me a temporary escape from that. My wifes patience with my process helps me stay sain. I can lose track of time and space for hours, painting and my brain calms to a dull roar. It levels me out. Read More>>

Sandy Geroux

Write a novel. I have written several non-fiction books related to my business and have loved creating and sharing them. They’ve helped me build my business and continue the learning and lessons taught in my keynote and training programs. Read More>>

Kia Saunders

A normal day for me right now involves a lot of fasting, praying, writing, creating, and developing. I have a routine in which the first thing I do when I wake up is pray and spend time with the Lord. After prayer and meditation, I seek God for what my day is going to look like. I ask Him for instructions and to order my steps. Read More>>

Julie Neira

The first 90 minutes of my day are completely centered around my relationship with God. I start with a cup of coffee in hand and my Bible open, spending that quiet time truly getting to know Him. Right now, I’m reading through the book of Romans—one chapter each morning—letting the Word guide my thoughts and my heart before the busyness of the day begins. Read More>>

Dominique “Coach D” Williams

My commitment to being more disciplined and regimented. I am usually a “go with the flow” and live in the moment kind of person but over the last 4 months I have been really dedicated to waking up earlier, being more productive and consistent with how I work, and organizing my days. Read More>>

Cherrie McRae

The first 90 minutes of my day? Begins at 3am with a Prayer App. I Listen for about 30mins then move on detailing 3 things I am grateful for in my Gratitude Journal, a Glass full of water then to a few floor exercises to get my blood pumping. Read More>>

Tiffany J

The first 90 minutes of my day are sacred. I start with prayer and meditation because I believe you have to consult the Creator before you create anything in your day. That time with God sets the tone for how I move, make decisions, and interact with others. I often follow it with something that feeds my mindset, listening to powerful voices like Eric Thomas or Myron Golden, depending on what kind of energy I need.  Read More>>

Tanesha McQueen

Whew… honestly, it’s the legacy I’ve built inside the four walls of my home. I married young when folks swore it wouldn’t last, raised four beautiful daughters who walk with confidence, know their worth, and are rooted in love—and now I’m a whole Pretty T to the sweetest little girl who gets to grow up seeing strength, softness, and stability wrapped in one. Read More>>

Lisa L. Baker

There’s a proverb that says “laughter does good, like medicine,” and I take that prescription as often as I can. I frequently laugh out loud. Humor is part of my daily routine, especially with my husband. Our playful banter and teasing have been the source of some of my loudest, most joyful laughs lately. It’s those small, shared moments that remind me how healing and energizing laughter can be. Read More>>

Carissa Flores

When we search for joy, I find that we sometimes overcomplicate it, so I’ve recently been tapping back into some of my favorite things from younger years, such as swing dancing. I learned to swing dance in college, including Lindy hop and west coast swing, and I try to do it as often as I can. Read More>>

Nanette Fluhr

Good morning, and thank you for the opportunity to share my experiences. The first 90 minutes of my day are about centering myself so I can move through the rest of it with clarity and intention. I usually begin with movement, often a walk or light exercise, followed by meditation. That rhythm helps me check in with myself before the day starts pulling me in a hundred directions. Read More>>

Domo Jones

I definitely battle with being celebrating my victories. Sometimes I don’t feel like what I’ve accomplished was good and I’m so eager to start working on the next project instead of dwelling in the moment of what I just accomplished. Read More>>

Joseph Gandurski

Time really is “relative.” The older you are, the quicker it passes. As a very young man, probably from the time after Vietnam, I felt that I had something profound to leave to this world for when I’m gone. I feel the distinct fire in my belly to do things that are memorable and meaningful before I check out.
Maybe that’s why I have ventured into many widely diverse endeavors. Read More>>

Shelice Jenkins

I’m being called to lead boldly in spaces I once felt unqualified for—specifically, building and growing Providing Mothers Joy Inc. into a safe haven for teen mothers. In the past, I wrestled with fear of not having enough resources or support to make the vision a reality.  Read More>>

Ariel Sides

Well, since you asked… since I broke my knee last year, I am still on medical leave because I need some additional surgery to fix it, so I’ve decided to make the best of my down time and go back to school. Read More>>

Bob Roth

One of the biggest misunderstandings about our business is that most people are confused or simply don’t know the difference between home care and home health.

– Home health is medical: skilled nursing, physical/occupational/speech therapy, wound care, and other clinical services, usually prescribed by a doctor and covered by Medicare or insurance. Read More>>

Taneka Joyce

Absolutely. My proudest (and funniest) recent moment came from my daughters. They’ve been my constant reminder of why I continue to push through the trials of entrepreneurship. One day, out of the blue, they were giggling and called me their “movie superstar seller who dresses like a rockstar and sells the best things like a baddie. Read More>>

Zapata-Nyachwaya

I think something that is bringing me joy outside of work is, taking a walk outside and listen to music. I recently started lightly running over 6 months ago and I love that now. Never thought I would be the type of person to love outdoors but there’s something about being outside early on a Sunday. I enjoy. Read More>>

Matthew Stuart Piper

I have been working on a unified theory of human nature and psychology for the last 30 years – one incorporating neuroscience, psychology, cognitive science, evolutionary theory, and some other key disciplines. No one is privy to the whole theory as of yet – there’s just too much to it – but a series of self-help books I am currently writing will finally allow me to soon share my insights with friends and the general public. Read More>>

Vian Borchert

Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time in my yard: cleaning, pruning, and deweeding, while planting sunflowers, rosemary, and lavender. As I care for the space, I find joy in the small details: rearranging and redecorating, sipping my morning coffee as the sun rises, and listening to the birds sing. It’s become a peaceful, grounding ritual that brings me quiet happiness. Read More>>

Ryan White

My first 90 minutes are about winning the morning so I can win the day. I wake up around 8:00 AM, spend a few quiet minutes in prayer and gratitude, then jump into a short home workout—usually bodyweight calisthenics or resistance band training in my garage gym. Read More>>

Sean Hyman

That’s when I’m scouring the overnight news and pre-market news to see what may affect the stock market open and to see if international markets were up or down overnight. Then I take a look at the near-term charts of all of our (20) stocks in our portfolio. Read More>>

Dr. Heather Robinson

The first 90 minutes of my day looks like the following. I wake up and get in the shower. I’m praying, while doing my face and body cleansing routine in the shower. Next, I brush my teeth and get dressed. I then pack up my work bag and go to work. Read More>>

Jamie Pomeranz

I would absolutely hire myself, and humbly, I would be an invaluable employee. I’ve been a one woman army for my business for decades acquiring a spectrum of skills along the way that I never would have developed in a traditional setting. Read More>>

Jose Angel Pereira Ruimwyk

Lately, what’s been bringing me the greatest joy is spending intentional time with my grandsons and serving through my church. Staying with them, sharing laughs, and especially going to the movies together has become a cherished tradition. Read More>>

Christine Schaub

With six rotating side hustles, I’m constantly juggling the calendar and appointments. Some weeks I have three balls in the air—a pretty manageable week. Other times, I may be dog sitting whilst editing a book, whilst filming YouTube episodes one morning, whilst teaching piano one afternoon, whilst popping over to plant up a client’s front-door pots, whilst prepping for a catering gig that weekend. Read More>>

Scheherazade Stone

Music. Creating it, feeling it, living inside of it. When I’m in that space—writing a lyric or melody, improvising with other musicians—I completely lose track of time. The clock disappears, and I drop into something deeper, something sacred. It’s like I’m returning to the truest version of myself, the one that isn’t performing or proving anything, just being. Read More>>

Brian Sicurella

One of the most misunderstood things about Heart of the Streets Photography Group is that people sometimes assume it’s just a hobby project or a casual photography page but it’s so much more than that. This group is rooted in lived experience and serves as a form of advocacy, healing, and empowerment for those who’ve experienced homelessness, addiction, and trauma. Read More>>

Cliff Young

At about 4 AM, I start the coffee maker and do the chores around the home, which is feed the cat and then I sit on the outside patio for about 15 minutes enjoying my coffee. I then head into work and start up the roaster at about a quarter till five; while roasting I’m able to check emails and make my roasting schedule for when my apprentice arrives. Read More>>

Lofton Etheridge

Honestly? Community. Being around friends, forming meaningful connections, and bonding over shared interests has been one of the biggest sources of joy in my life lately. There’s something really special about finding your people, whether it’s through casual dinners, spontaneous weekend plans, or deeper conversations that remind you you’re not alone in what you’re going through. Read More>>