Cherished careers don’t always stay on track from beginning to end – especially in wobbly economic times. This can be frightening and painful. A bonus life as a grocery bagger is not what anybody went to school to prepare for. A commencement speaker at Harvard Divinity School, Professor Kimberley C. Patton, thinks that in profound […] Read More

Friday, I dared to spare a few extra minutes. So often in the course of a work day, I could walk where I need to go, but drive instead to "save time." Today I walked to and from lunch at the Side Street Cafe. It's maybe nine blocks. Here's a little of what I would […] Read More

I made this announcement yesterday on Facebook and the responses have been so lovely and enthusiastic that I’m going to keep on posting the news everywhere. (Of course, I have other good reasons as well.) Here it is: My brother Harry Payne is running for the NC Court of Appeals, election day in November. His […] Read More

One of the ultimate bold acts, in my view, is to take an unblinking look at one’s finances. I’ve just read a book that has relieved me of that dread — and of the guilt and blame that come from discovering the precise results of one’s less good decisions. For getting rid of the fear, […] Read More

It’s almost a week now since I returned from my 18-day bonus extra life as a New Yorker. I’ve noticed a couple of significant after-effects of having tucked in this Plan B Life. 1. I feel very optimistic, as if almost any good thing is possible (and I’m capable of making it happen.) 2. I’ve […] Read More

[youtube tyWuPGSuaik nolink] I'd heard the name Kickstarter, but somehow the startling opportunity there didn't register until recently when my artist stepson Jay Dick brought a particular project to my attention. Kickstarter is a site/service that allows "artists, designers, filmmakers, musicians, journalists, inventors, explorers…" to raise money for their projects. People can pledge any amount […] Read More

Worked at home today. How is this bold? Well, it’s way too handy to take a nap, which I did do (I sometimes “close my eyes a minute” in my serious grownup office as well, but somehow that feels less risky.) Daytime naps are notorious for producing weird dreams and this one threw me into […] Read More

First day back in the office after my 18 day Extra Life in NY. I arrived with the bold resolve to: “not be a workaholic drudge with eyestrain.” The day has been no shorter than usual. But I’ve certainly been more relaxed. Not once all day have I thought while doing one piece of work […] Read More

You’ll have to admit, it takes some cheek to say this: My focus is shifting from accomplishing things to having fun. I noticed this during my recent 18-day extra life in New York. I did accomplish a few things, both for clients and myself. But I didn’t drive myself crazy over it. And it’s entirely […] Read More

Friday was the final day of my 18-day extra life as a New Yorker. As Audrey Hepburn at 28. This two-weeks-and-four-days experience was a tremendous success for me. I loved it. I do feel satisfied now that I’ve had a Manhattan life. Just as I feel satisfied that I had a life in India, in […] Read More