About Myra McElhaney

Myra McElhaney is a writer and speaker. Her articles have appeared in various publications including Atlanta Woman, Customer Relationship Management, Competitive Edge, USIndustry Today and The Gwinnett Business Journal. Her work is included in three anthology books including, Reach for the Stars, and Exceptional Accomplishment, both published by Brookfield and James and CLIMB: Leading Women In Technology Share Their Journeys To Success published by Women in Technology in 2010. Just in time for Mother’s Day of 2011, Myra released a book of quotes from her Mama entitled, "Mama Always Says…" In August 2011 she published a book of poetry called, "MUSINGS on Major and Minor Matters that May or May Not Matter." Additionally she writes a blog for businesswomen called, Advancing Women in Business and writes a blog and weekly newsletter for ArtsCard.com about local theatre and entertainment. When not busy with various writing projects, Myra stays active in the community by serving on the advisory board of The Professional Women’s Information Network, working with the PR committee for Women in Technology, maintaining membership in the Board of Director’s Network and the International Alliance of Women and participating in fundraising events to support Brain Tumor Research. For fun she enjoys travel, entertaining, stimulating conversation, clever rapport and laughter. Her books include "MUSINGS on Major and Minor Matters that May or May Not Matter" published by BookLogix, August 2011; "Mama Always Says…" published by BookLogix, May 2011; "CLIMB: Leading Women In Technology Share Their Journeys To Success" published by Women in Technology in 2010; "Reach for the Stars" published by Brookfield and James. and "Exceptional Accomplishment" published by Brookfield and James.

7 Galantine’s Day Activities Your Girlfriends Will Love

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Myra McElhaney

Did you know that Galentine’s Day was created in 2010 by the character Leslie Knope, on the TV show Parks and Recreation? Leslie, played by Amy Pohler, called, “Only the best day of the year!” is now celebrated by women everywhere on February 13^th, the day before Valentine’s Day.

Having been single, or ‘re-singled’ as some say, since I was widowed in 2009, I’ve had more than a few solo Valentine’s Day’s. Some of my single friends have been a bit freaked out about being alone on V-day and found that making plans helped take away some of the sting. Galentine’s Day is a perfect holiday for us single gals. Here are some ideas for celebrating with your lady friends.

Have a fun brunch. Like the gals at Parks and Recreation you can have brunch with gift bags, champagne, and lots of laughter. Retail therapy afterward and you can make an entire day of it!
Go to a Movie. The year that the movie Fifty Shades of Grey was released on Valentine’s Day, I went with a gaggle of girlfriends. So much fun!
Take in the arts. Theatre, ballet, or an art gallery would be a sophisticated way to celebrate. If you want to kick it up a notch, have your hair and make-up done and dress to the nines! Make it a night of fashion and fun!
Do a progressive dinner. Uber to a walkable area and visit different restaurants or bars for drinks, appetizers, dinner, and dessert. Maybe go dancing after!
Have a girls night in. Popcorn and movies in your PJ’s while you catch up on the latest gossip with old friends may be just what you need. Movie trivia games can make it even more fun!
Book a spa day. Check local day spas and hotel spas for Galentine’s specials. Up for a drive? Check out ResortPass.com for a day pass to a nearby resort for a daycation.
Get active. Go bowling, roller skating or ax throwing. Maybe there’s a Top Golf or Dave & Busters in your area you’ve wanted to check out. Grab your gal pals and go!

I always feel energized after hanging out with my women friends! Research shows that there are many physical and emotional benefits to having strong female friendships. Whether you’re with your one bestie or your whole tribe, Galentine’s Day is a wonderful way to celebrate the bonds of friendship!

How do you celebrate Galentine’s Day? Which of the 7 tips sounds most appealing to you? I’d love to hear your story!

New Year But No New Me!

Posted on January 1, 2024 by Myra McElhaney

Happy New Year 2024! Another year to Enjoy Life and Do Good!

It’s customary to start each year with resolutions and a ‘new year; new me’ mindset. I don’t want a new me. At this ‘vintage’ as a friend says to avoid the word ‘age’ I’ve done decades of resolutions, re-do’s, reboots, reflections, and renovations on myself and my business.

In my twenties I became a book-aholic and self-help junkie. My steady diet of self-help, positive mental attitude, spirituality, and how-to-fix-yourself books lasted decades! My career as a speaker/trainer/writer fueled this addiction. My life focused on day-planners, ‘smart goals,’ ‘to-do’ lists and measuring everything by what I did and, most often measuring myself harshly by what I’d left undone.

Not this year. Now as I enter the senior years (Yikes!) I like myself. I don’t want a new me. I just want to be more fully my authentic self and to ‘live my best life,’ as Oprah is famous for saying. At this stage, I want to ease up on the accelerator and enjoy life more. And I still want to live a life that matters and do purposeful work.

For several years now I’ve been praying a prayer that’s actually a MLK quote, “Use me, God. Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be and what I can do and use it for a purpose greater than myself.”

As you may know, my life philosophy and business tagline is ‘Enjoy Life and Do Good!’ I believe that resonates with many other women of my ‘vintage.’

I think that enjoying life is how we show gratitude for the life we’ve been given and that doing good is how we pay it forward.

This year I’ll be writing more about enjoying life and doing good.

What about you?

Are you at a stage of life where you’re over making resolutions?

Does enjoying life and doing good sound like a movement you want to be part of?

I look forward to hearing from you!

Fresh start

Posted on December 12, 2022 by Myra McElhaney

Don’t you love a fresh start?

That’s something I’m always thankful for. Whether it be a new day, a new year, a new job or a new relationship. I love a fresh new start to try something again. To have a second (or third or fourth) start at doing it over and maybe getting it right!

Today I’m doing a fresh start of this blog. I can’t believe it’s been five years since I posted here!

My friend Susan Reece and I had visited South Africa for our 60th birthdays and had a fabulous time! I posted a couple articles about our trip and intended to post more but life got in the way as it sometimes does.

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In the last five years I’ve continued to travel, do a little writing and speaking, appeared on a few podcasts, spend time with family and friends and served on the board of Dress for Success Atlanta and on the advisory board of the Professional Women’s Information Network. I’ve made friends, lost friends, survived a pandemic, and taken a more active and ongoing role in caregiving as my mother has suffered several falls, surgeries, broken bones and stays in hospital and rehab.

Now I just turned 65. I’m a senior citizen. What??? Yes, you read that right. I’m a full-fledged senior citizen! I never thought being this old would feel this young! I got my motorcycle license at age 59, learned to kayak and took swimming lessons at age 64. Who knows what the next few years will bring!

I’m rededicating to writing this blog based on my business tagline and life philosophy of “Enjoy Life And Do Good!”

I truly believe that you can ‘enjoy life and do good’ at any age or stage of life.

Here you’ll find stories, humor, irreverence and insights I’ve learned as I purpose to enjoy life and do good!

I’d love it if you read along, subscribe, share, comment, reach out and let me know which articles speak to you and what topics you’d be interested in reading about. (Yes, I ended a sentence with a preposition. As Winston Churchill is often quoted “This is the type of errant pedantry up with which I will not put.”)

Here’s to fresh starts, do-overs and new days!

You can also follow me on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and visit my website at www.MyraMcElhaney.com. My memoir, Building A Life Your Love After Losing the Love of Your Life is available on Amazon.com or you can contact me at Myra@MyraMcElhaney.com for a signed, personalized copy.

Bucket List Africa Trip Part 2: Meeting Khuliso

Posted on October 30, 2017 by Myra McElhaney

(This is part 2 of The Bucket List Birthday Trip. Click Here to read part 1.)

with Khuliso Arriving at the Johannesburg airport in South Africa, Susan and I scanned the throng of drivers holding signs and iPads™ with names of their guests, we spotted a cell phone with our names displayed. Behind it were the brightest eyes and biggest smile I’ve ever seen. Khuliso Ranwedzi greeted us warmly and introduced himself as our guide and driver while in Jo’burg. His iPad™ had lost power so he used his cell phone to post our names. It was small, but it worked!

As you likely know, South Africa (officially The Republic of South Africa) is the southernmost country in Africa. Many of us in the US think of Africa only as a poor and undeveloped country but ‘Jo’burg’ as the locals call it, is the largest city in South Africa and one of the 50 largest urban areas in the world.

Since SA is a popular tourist destination with 3,5 million visitors annually tourism is an important industry. They take it seriously and go out of the way to help visitors have a grand experience.

Khuliso was an amazing example of hospitality and warmth! Not only was he a wealth of information about the area as he drove us to our hotel, he was friendly, entertaining and quickly became someone we’d trust to take care of us while in Johannesburg. He asked about us and our flight, our plans for the trip and showed us photos of his wife and daughters. Since Susan had a bit of a cold he told her where to easily find a pharmacy without even going outside since our hotel was attached to a mall.

Arriving at the hotel we could tell that he was known and well-liked by the doormen. This was seen repeatedly throughout our time in Jo’burg as he shepherded us through our itinerary. He always laughed and joked with other tour guides we encountered and it was clear that he was admired and respected.

His laugh and bright smile were a welcome sight each morning. Rather than feeling like we were with a tour guide that was following a script about his country, we felt like we were being shown around town by an old friend who truly loved his city and country and wanted us to know and love it, too.

Khuliso was a child during much of apartheid and was coming of age during the battle for its end. He lived through the racial division, injustices, violent protests and Nelson Mandela’s release from prison and election as the first black president.

Of course, knowing our own country’s segregated history and the fight for equal rights, it’s sobering to realize this was so recent in his country.

Susan asked Khuliso if he ever remembered a time of peace and happiness in his country. After pausing a moment, he replied, “We have hope that someday there will be.”

And yet, despite all hardships, Khuliso is one of the most joyful, positive examples of living with gratitude I’ve ever seen. An example for us all.

What about you? Have you ever met someone who exudes joy and is an example of living with gratitude?

You can also follow me on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and visit my website at www.MyraMcElhaney.com. My memoir, Building A Life Your Love After Losing the Love of Your Life is available on Amazon.com or you can contact me at Myra@MyraMcElhaney.com for a signed, personalized copy.

Bucket List Africa Trip Part 1: Heading to South Africa

Posted on October 27, 2017 by Myra McElhaney

South Africa Bound When I was in my early 20’s, I met a guy who traveled globally with his family’s business. When I asked what was the most beautiful place he’d ever been, I was surprised by his answer. South Africa.

Since then I hoped to someday go there to see this ‘most beautiful place.’ Of course, for a young gal who’d never been out of the country and had only seen a handful of states, that seemed like a faraway dream.

Fast forward almost forty years. I’ve traveled quite a bit in our country as well as internationally. I’ve checked many places and experiences off my bucket list and even had to start a new list a couple times.

This year as we turned 60 (Yikes!) my friend Susan Reece and I decided to celebrate with a bucket list trip to South Africa.

Someone asked Mama if I was going to South Africa on a mission trip. Susan and I joked that the only missionary work we were planning to do was to put some money into the South African economy! As you know, my tagline and life motto is, “Enjoy Life and Do Good!” For this trip we went full out on ‘enjoying life!’ You only turn 60 once, right?

Elaine Baylos, a travel agent who’s from South Africa and lives in Atlanta now helped to plan our trip. It was amazing! Like four mini vacations strung together since each leg of the trip was so different. Someone asked what I’d change if doing it again. For a first-time visit, I’d change nothing! (Yes, it was that good!) For a second visit I’d omit some of the places that I’m glad I saw once and spend more time exploring others. If Cape Town weren’t so far away I’d make it a second home!

We flew Delta direct from Atlanta to Johannesburg. That’s a thirteen hour flight so we splurged and upgraded to Business Class where we had the amazing sleeping pods. They’re expensive so I won’t be using them for regular travel but if you’re on a long flight and want to actually get some sleep they’re the way to go!

Our itinerary included Johannesburg, Medikwe Game Reserve, Cape Town and Livingstone (Victoria Falls.) We arrived at the Johannesburg airport happy and well-rested–thanks to champagne and sleeping pods—and were ready for our big bucket list adventure!

Tell me about it!

· Do you have a bucket list?

· What’s something you plan to check off next?

· Have you been to South Africa?

Subscribe to this blog to follow the series of posts about my trip to South Africa.

You can also follow me on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and visit my website at www.MyraMcElhaney.com. My memoir, Building A Life Your Love After Losing the Love of Your Life is available on Amazon.com or you can contact me at Myra@MyraMcElhaney.com for a signed, personalized copy.

Social Media Mistakes That Hurt Your Business

Posted on August 2, 2017 by Myra McElhaney

Not having a plan. If you intend to use social media for your business you need to have a plan that outlines who you want to connect with, which social media sites you’ll use, how often you’ll post and what content you’ll share. Planning can save you time and keep you focused.
Not understanding what social media can and can’t do for your business. People often complain that they don’t or can’t get business from social media. You can get brand recognition, publicity, and information, establish yourself as an expert in your industry and make connections… All those benefits can lead to business.
Expecting to get without giving. Social media utilizes ‘pay it forward marketing.’ Giving content in the form of information, articles, introductions and encouragement strengthens connections. When they know, like and trust you they’ll be interested in seeing what product or service you offer—not before. Don’t instant message someone you’ve never corresponded with about your product or service.
Using ‘broadcast only.’ That’s what I call it when people post, broadcasting their messages, but don’t bother to read what their connections are posting. Liking, commenting and sharing the messages of your target market and influencers will strengthen connections.
Spreading negativity. Would you refer business to someone who’s always negative? Someone who frequently complains, rants about perceived injustices or makes fun of their clients or peers? I wouldn’t! People want to do business with nice people. Be nice!
Not respecting the 80/20 rule of social media. The first word in ‘Social media’ is social. It’s expected that you’ll share 80 percent personal content. (Personal as in personable—not private!) Only 20 percent should be business. On a dedicated business pages you don’t need as much personal information but give 80 percent and sell only 20 percent.
Not posting your business or company information. Oddly some people fear appearing ‘salesy’ so they don’t make their business info easy to find. If people don’t know or remember what you do they aren’t likely to think of you when they need your product or service or have a chance to refer someone to you. List your business name and contact in your profile. Occasionally linking to your website, blog, product or business page can easily be done without being pushy.
Not having a recognizable profile photo. Photos of babies, puppies or your team logo are great to post as show your personality but your profile photo is what people see every time you post, comment or share. They need to be able to recognize your face. For business pages you’ll want a professional headshot.
Getting political. Be very careful about sharing political post. Appearing dogmatic or extreme can easily turn off prospective clients and keep people from referring business to you. Even if you’re diplomatic enough to give an opinion without vitriol you can’t control what comments people leave and how the conversation turns. Personally, I miss the days when I didn’t know the political affiliation of everyone around me.
Being boring! Social media is like a huge party where people are coming in and out, having conversations and sharing stuff. If you’re always serious and bland you’re missing an opportunity to show your personality and connect with people.

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