First Person Singular by Wendy Braitman

End of “Year” Zen

I’m writing this on Friday night. Sunday at sunset marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year, and I’ll be taking a spiritual break for a few days. The traditional greeting is to wish everyone a sweet year, and since the holiday takes place in the fall, it’s usually accompanied by apples and honey. My hope for you is a year filled with awe, good food and purpose.

Till the next time in 5777.

Creative Breakthroughs

Last year, I had the great privilege of seeing Ta-Nehisi Coates in a lecture at the Central Library in Los Angeles. He was already renowned by then, and it was amazing to get to hear him in such an intimate venue with only a few hundred people. Despite telling us he was tired nearing the end of his book tour, Coates spoke with such candor and truth. It was an unforgettable experience. This video is a few years old, but I watched it again today, right before working on an essay. And it inspired me to push through. He’s talking about writing here, but it’s really translatable for other challenging endeavors.

Dating or Job Hunting – What it Takes to Hang In There

Online dating and job hunting have a lot in common. You do a search for potential matches, make your best case in writing, sometimes get to meet in person, and then hope for the best. It takes stamina to find a fit and you can’t take the process personally. Rejection is part of the game. As a Career Coach, I work with clients to keep them buoyant during their job search. And I’ve recently written about best practices for staying in the game. (Now, if I could only follow my own advice when it comes to dating.) Check my post out here.

It’s Good to Be Home

I’ve lived alone for years. I’m used to going about the domestic business of my life without company. Last week, I was in Boston visiting my brother and sister-in-law. They’re extremely gracious, but the quarters were small, and I had little privacy. After a long (and delayed) flight home, arriving at 1 AM, I was thrilled to open the door to my own apartment.

Photo by Adam J Kurtz

Pre-Debate Anxiety

Maybe by the time you’re reading this, the first 2016 Presidential debate will be over and we’ll be breathing a collective sigh of relief. Our country has been brought back from the brink. But right now, with less than 2 hours away, my heart is racing, my stomach churning. A group of friends are gathering together for a debate “party” to eat comfort food, drink alcohol and lend each other support. I wish us all (and the nation) well.

Life Preserver by Jon Krause

Don’t Forget

Respirator by Robert Good

Heading Into Autumn

I’m off to Boston for a family visit, and hoping for some turning leaves.

Still by Mary Jo Hoffman

Last Gasp for Summer Fruit

I was strolling through a mid-week Farmer’s Market today, and though there were peaches on display, it was the crisp Fuji apples that attracted my taste buds. I’ve gorged on tomatoes and melons this summer, and I’m looking forward to the seasonal shift. What fall flavors are you craving?

Watermelon Gate by Caitlyn Murphy

Self Portrait

Comic by Anna Haifisch

An Ode to Laundry

For years in San Francisco, I lived without a washer and dryer. Every week, I had a standing invitation at my happily-married friends’ home, where they would feed me dinner while I would intermittently attend to laundering sheets and towels in their basement. I have fond memories of us sitting around the kitchen table together, but it evoked a sense of childlike singleness. That’s why, these days, I LOVE my in-house washer and dryer. There’s not a load I take for granted.

Photo by Matteo Curci