Knock, knock… Each year, we pause—if only briefly—to acknowledge what we’ve accomplished. Some victories were large and life-altering. Others were quiet, personal, and just as meaningful. And yet—if we’re honest—there’s usually a cringe or two. Those lingering goals. The projects that didn’t quite make it across the finish line. You likely

It’s not a fault. We grow accustomed to our immediate surroundings—our routines, our rhythms, our so-called comfort zones. Even those who venture farther than others often circle back to what feels familiar. But—we all tend to forget about the Big Picture. Some people thrive on challenge. They climb, leapfrog, and take

A Diagnosis I Never Expected I never viewed myself as a People Pleaser. But it was a rude awakening when I took a personality test created by best-selling author Ruth Soukup—yes, my namesake. The results puzzled me. I was labeled not only a People Pleaser, but also an Outcast. Strangely enough,

Once upon a time, Black Friday used to mean something. Much more than it means today. I recently found myself thinking such thoughts when I noticed that the shopping centers were not full, let alone overflowing, the day after Thanksgiving—as they had been in years past. Then a young comedian verified

Are you the early bird, or the last-minute person? There’s rarely an in-between. It’s either-or—that’s all. Take it or leave it—but that’s the way it usually is. And while you may gravitate toward one pole more than the other, most of us know ourselves well enough to admit we lean heavily