Fresh start

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.

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.

Pokémon Go Away!

Pokemon Go AwayIn 2009 only weeks after my husband had died I noticed a strange car sitting across from my house. It was an even distance between the two houses on the other side of the street so I wondered if someone was visiting either neighbor why they didn’t park closer or in the driveway of their host. Continue reading

The Power of Storytelling

Genius“…in the days of cavemen people gathered around the campfire at night and someone would start talking, telling a story, and it made them less afraid.”

Renowned book editor Max Perkins says this to acclaimed author, Thomas Wolfe in the new movie, Genius. (It’s based on the book, Max Perkins: Editor of Genius by A. Scott Berg.) Continue reading

Coopetition Among Whales

Whales bubble-net feeding in Alaska
Whales bubble-net feeding in Alaska

I recently went on a whale-watching expedition while on an Alaskan cruise. We had seen one or two whales in the distance, blowing water high into the air, arching their backs just above water then diving with their tails flipping up as if to wave. Continue reading

Want to grow with me?

Can you believe I’ve been in the speaking business for over twenty years now? Yesterday, talking with a friend who has been doing this even longer prompted me to do the math. I started training for the Liz Claiborne company about 1989. Within a few years I was on my own as an independent corporate trainer. With that I began doing keynotes, conference breakout sessions and speaking for non-profit groups and associations. Continue reading

Plans and Publishing

 “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your future plans.” –Woody Allen

I met Ronda Rich when she was a senior in high School and I was selling cosmetics at the local department store.  The girl needed some lip gloss! If you know Ronda you understand. She was fashionista before we knew the word. She later worked part-time at the store with me. Eventually I left my glamor job at the cosmetic counter to work in advertising at the local newspaper. Ronda was there doing her college internship in the sports department. Our friendship grew. I eventually moved to the metro Atlanta area to seek fame and fortune. Ronda graduated, became an award-winning journalist then moved away to become a NASCAR publicist. Somehow we lost touch. Continue reading