We are on this planet but once, and to spend it holding back our gushing appreciation of the things that light us up is a shameful waste. —Jen Sincereo, Author of You are a Badass

I have a lot to say about being a badass, which come to find out, really has nothing to do with being bad, or being an ass. In fact, I believe those who live the “loudest” are not “loud” at all; the most impactful “badasses” are those who are kind, humble, loving, giving and understanding, even when others are not kind, humble, loving, giving or understanding to them.

Stop. drop and be reasonable. Before you leave that scathing review about how your server didn’t bring your ketchup timely, or rush to get your child their fourth Coke, please employee reason before you tear down and damage someone’s hard-earned business with intolerance and unreasonable expectations.

I am not a reviewer. Why? Probably because I have no desire to be the authority on everything, but more importantly, I am a business owner, and I understand and respect the incredible amount of dedication and hard work that goes into making a company run.

She needs time, like we all do. Time to be ok with being ok. Because sometimes feeling right, after feeling so wrong for so long, is the hardest thing to get used to. —JmStorm

In addition to commemorating and remembering those who have served our country, Memorial Day is the official opening day of summer. As much as I love summer and all the outdoor fun that comes with it, here I sit six days before Memorial Day lamenting about…(I’m going to whisper this because I don’t really want to admit it out loud)…bathing suit season.

My mom, Mary Lou Bouknight Skenes, is 88. I guess it’s time to admit to her that mother’s really do know best. Perhaps I’ve waited longer than most to release my childhood tenacity and rebellion to say, “Mom, you were right!.” However, better late than never.

My mother seems to be magic at times. This magic has lasted my entire life. It wasn’t a figment of my childhood adoration; her magic is always present. If anything, my adoration for my mother is stronger now than when I was a youth because I know what she’s been through. I now understand where she came from and some of the obstacles she has hurdled and defeated. I have had the great pleasure of having deep meaningful talks with my mom, and she’s told me some deep, dark secrets. My childhood adoration of her has rooted in profound respect. If anything, her magic is at an all time high.

From the time we are born to around age 12 our No. 1 job is to play. How many times did my mother tell me to go outside and play? “In or out, Elizabeth. If you come in again, I’m going to make you stay in!” The neighborhood kids all gathered daily to ride bikes, skateboard, play house or school, tag, Follow the Leader, Red Rover (my favorite) or play on the swing set. We put on shows, danced, sung, pretended to be movie stars, especially Cher. We put towels on our heads and flipped them back and forth like we had Cher hair and sung into our hairbrushes.