Let's pretend we're sitting down, face to face, and after some easy chitchat, I put on my reporter's hat and ask you this one dizzying question: What is the single most crucial factor when it comes to living a happy, healthy life?

Take a breath. Reflect. Have a glass of something.

The número uno most important factor.

Exercising daily? Very good guess. Eating well? Nice try.

But it's not the answer that can change your life in unexpected and remarkable ways.

"The most important factor in a happy and healthy life is a positive sense of connection with others," writes best-selling author Michael Gelb in his smart and entertaining book, "The Art of Connection."

It’s obvious we are all ocean people. After all, we live and/or vacation here in the Lowcountry, where salt runs through our veins. However, even ocean people want to escape occasionally, craving a change of scenery.

What if I told you in less than five hours you could feel as though you’ve been transported into the majesty of Europe surrounded by opulence and beauty so great it takes your breath away? I took a trip to Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, last month and that is exactly how I felt. It was exactly what this ocean girl needed—the powerful beauty of the mountains, the nostalgia of days gone by, the formality of excellence, and the fairytale of a faraway land yet I barely crossed over the South Carolina border.

“Let the Beauty of What You Love Be What You Do.”
-- Rumi
--


Janet Fanning and Lisa Kiggans are part of the staff at the employee-owned Hilton Head institution, The Greenery. Combined, the two of them have enjoyed going to work each day at that beautiful spot on William Hilton Parkway for nearly 40 years. Janet and Lisa are passionate about their work, but they are also enthusiastic about sharing their talents, knowledge, and experience with residents and tourists alike.

If money is leaking out of your household and you aren't quite sure where it's going, I have an idea: fast food. Busy households mean tired parents, and that can easily result in getting takeout two or three times a week. Does anything here sound familiar?

The last thing you need is for someone to tell you to get a grip and plan ahead! So I won't. Instead, I'm going to tell you what worked for me when I was in somewhat your situation (two boys 17 months apart, self-employed, debt-ridden) and a few things I've learned since.

It's one thing to lose your keys, your phone, a wallet filled with credit cards. It's wildly upsetting, but it's all stuff you can get back. But losing your mind? Losing your memory? Your thoughts, in mid-stride, so you have to double back and ask yourself where was I going with that story about the guy I met in yoga class who has the apricot-colored poodle?

It happens to everyone—kids forget stuff, to—but I don't like it. And one reason is that I know the mind is like a muscle. Use it or lose it. Back in the old days—maybe 40 years ago—neuroscientists thought the brain was fixed, not fluid, and the older you got, the more senile you became.

World Heart Rhythm Week is the Arrhythmia Alliance's annual week to raise awareness of arrhythmias. Arrhythmias are abnormalities in the heart's rhythm which can lead to complications like palpitations, fainting, stroke, and death. The most common sustained arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation, which affects two to nine percent of people in the United States.

The heart normally pumps 60-100 times per minute to circulate blood throughout the body. An electrical system inside the heart stimulates the heart muscle to pump with each heartbeat. Abnormalities in the heart's rhythm can result in extra or missed heartbeats, or the heart pumping too fast (tachycardia) or too slow (bradycardia).

As an Army brat, travel and adventure have been a big part of my life. We moved every two to three years, and much of my childhood was spent in Landstuhl, Bad Kreuznach, Stuttgart, and Munich, Germany. I also lived in Georgia, Virginia, and North Carolina, graduated from high school in Hawaii, attended the University of Maryland in Munich, followed by a year at the University of Stuttgart, and came home to Savannah and Bluffton in the 1970s. I’ve traveled to a long list of countries, but until now, I’ve never been to Africa. All that would change when local Roy Austin entered my life.

In September 2018, Roy Austin took a five-week safari to five countries in East Africa which inspired him to form the non-profit Libraries for Kids, International. About one year later, I agreed to serve as a board member. The first e-newsletter arrived in my email box on that October 20 and began: “Hi Tamela, Imagine your life with no internet access and no books. If you want a school, you build it yourself. The government supplies a teacher and some textbooks and little else. But your children are eager to learn.”

To know Richard Grant is to love Richard Grant! It’s really that simple. From the moment we were introduced via our art connection, I knew I had met an authentically kind human being. And Richard is sharing his kindness with the Lowcountry in July. He is preparing for the Art League of Hilton Head’s Sea Turtle Patrol Exhibit and Raffle entitled “Half-Way Home,” scheduled for July 18-20, 2023, at the Art League Academy on Cordillo Parkway.

Now let’s learn a bit more about Richard, a 54-year-old from Chicago, Colorado, and California, who currently lives with his wife Susan on Hilton Head. They’ve been here six years, with his presence known via his mini art turtles. You can find his turtle paintings at any of our Island’s free “Mini Art Galleries.”

When I got the call I had been chosen as the Small Business Administration (SBA) delegate for the state of South Carolina my mind went blank, and I couldn’t feel my teeth. I was honored to be chosen as South Carolina Small Businessperson of the Year by the US SBA but I had no idea what a treat I was in for.

I heard Washington, D.C., Waldorf Astoria, pay your own way….luckily, a following email provided the details I was lacking. Mark, my husband, and I would be going to Washington to represent South Carolina. That same month brought lots of uncertainty for us. His father had been diagnosed with cancer, and we were caring for him at home with the help of hospice. We wouldn’t dream of leaving his side. His struggle ended quickly, and we decided to attend the event. You have to take the highs with the lows in life.

Spring cleaning isn’t just for crowded closets and messy garages, and it’s certainly not just for the women folk.

It’s something we all do because it makes us feel so satisfied when it’s over, and spring is the perfect time to take it on. In fact, I’ve read about communities that spring clean together, meeting in little groups, moving from one home to the next, talking, laughing, making the un-fun more fun because everyone is pitching in together. I’m pretty sure adult beverages are involved.

“Through the beauty of a garden … A gift to the community.”

Spring has sprung and the Lowcountry is in full bloom. With mild weather and wonderful ocean breezes, it’s the perfect time to get out enjoy all our slice of paradise has to offer, including gorgeous gardens! As you begin to dig in your own soil, it’s a great time to take advantage of this opportunity to see ideas and gain knowledge about gardening in the Lowcountry.That’s just what the All Saints Garden Tour has in mind. A local tradition in its 34th year, the annual tour is sure to impress with this year’s lineup: six distinctive gardens, all new to the tour. This unique tour has something for everyone: mature gardens of various sizes; stunning water views; and unique designs, many of which are lovingly created and maintained by the owners. There are fascinating gardeners to meet and plenty of opportunities to be inspired!

“After a harsh winter, it’s inspiring to see how these stunning gardens have rebounded. They’re beautiful and bountiful! Tickets are selling quickly so get yours soon!” said co-chair Nancy Jenner.

“She was not quite what you would call refined. She was not quite what you
would call unrefined. She was the kind of person that keeps a parrot.” - Mark Twain

Mark Twain would be surprised to know Patty Wagstaff, who uniquely redefines refined and unrefined. Not only does she have a parrot, but she takes it flying with her. And she is not a passenger, rather she is an award-winning, upside-down, barrel-rolling, low-flying, nose-diving aerobatic pilot.

To Patty Wagstaff the sky represents beauty, freedom, and challenge. A six-time member of the US Aerobatic Team, she is the first woman to win the title of US National Aerobatic champion and one of the to few win it three times.

Exciting things are happening in the world of poetry here in the Lowcountry! Not only is April National Poetry Month, a time dedicated to celebrating poets and their craft, but a Poetry Trail is in the making on Hilton Head. The trail will provide a creative way to immerse your soul into the beauty of our environment and the talents which abound. To celebrate and get in a poetic mood, here are the works of local poets for you to ponder and enjoy.

Are you having secret thoughts, dear reader, about jumping on your bike and pedaling up the road, foraging for fresh zucchinis at your farmers market, planning the kind of outdoor adventure that makes you feel happy, healthy and sweaty at the end of the day?

Of course you are. It's spring! Many people on the path are feeling that undeniable seasonal urge to get out and grow, to open up and sprout. But where do you begin?

I’m anything but a master of the soil, but I sure love to putter in my vegetable and flower gardens. And this year, with food prices continuing to soar, I am more motivated than ever to grow as much of our food as humanly possible.

Over the years, I’ve discovered quite a few handy tips that make my gardening so much more enjoyable. I hope you find something here that will help you, too!

SOAP ON A SPIGOT:
Cut the leg portion from a pair of spent, clean pantyhose. Drop a soap bar into the toe, tie a knot over it and tie the other end to an outdoor water spigot. Gardeners can easily wash up after work. Such a great idea because the soap is always handy, clean and dry.

What would you do if you had all the “business’’ of your life in order? What if all of your estate matters were planned and your wishes were all set? What if you had your financial plan in place, where you knew exactly what your retirement entailed, including checking some things off your bucket list. And, to take it all a step further, what if your funeral arrangements were already in place and paid for, and they were exactly what you wanted for your last celebration on earth? Imagine the sense of peace your family and loved ones would feel knowing you have made it easy for them. More importantly, imagine the assuredness and tranquility you will feel knowing your life is in order and your wishes will be respected.

There is a growing trend in estate planning to address the future needs
of not only your children, but also your grandchildren. Grandparents often want to leave something special for their grandchildren as an act of love.

What is the grandparent’s vision? What do they deem to be of value?
What do they want their token of love to be?

A consultation with an estate planning attorney can provide the answers to these and other questions to assist with creating a customized plan. Who are the children and grandchildren? How old are the grandchildren? Are there any family conflicts? What is the value of the estate? What are your grandchildren’s hopes and dreams? Do you want to gift now, during your lifetime, or after you pass? If so, how much?

No one wants to talk about dying, that is for sure. And planning your own funeral is something many don’t even want to discuss. However, deciding your funeral arrangements in advance can give peace of mind to both you and your family when the time comes.

Why plan ahead?
While a great funeral home with a compassionate and caring staff will help guide you in making funeral arrangements for your loved one, it is so much easier if that loved one had a say in the process before they passed. The immense emotions that come with laying a loved one to rest are counterintuitive to making big, lasting decisions. As with any big decision in life, it’s helpful to have time to research and consider options, and funeral planning is no exception.

I did not learn the importance of financial wellness until I was in my late twenties. It wasn’t a topic of conversation in school, or in my home with my parents.

My husband, on the other hand, had a completely different experience. While we were dating, being the engineer he is, he would write down everything he spent money on down to the penny. We would be getting gas, and he would be writing down how much he spent. If he bought a soda, he would write that down, too. To makes things worse, he insisted he pay my debt off before we got married, because he didn’t want any debt going into our marriage. I viewed his value of money the wrong way. It wasn’t until later that I began to appreciate his passion of thoroughly knowing our expenses and being debt free, as this was the foundation on which we started saving for retirement and making it a priority.

For many years I wouldn’t have anything to do with a budget because I couldn’t stand the idea of anyone—or anything—telling me how to spend my money. And where did that get me? Into one big financial mess.

Every month, when I ran out of money, I would turn to MasterCard and Visa for a bailout. Really bad idea.

What I learned from going through that experience and finding my way back to solvency is that, as much as we may loathe it, a budget is the ticket to financial happiness—not the straitjacket I feared it would be. I prefer to call this a “spending plan” rather than a budget, but honestly the terms are interchangeable.

The spring solstice is here with a secret and sparking message that everyone on the rocky path to a healthier lifestyle needs to hear: When the seasons change, we can, too.

“Springtime is in the air,” writes Kenneth Cohen, a Qigong master. “A good time for spring cleaning of mind and body through meditation, healing practices, eating spring greens ... and bathing in natural
hot springs.”

Before I shower you with my own suggestions, let me ask: What’s your No. 1 wish when it comes to living a healthier life?

(Think for a minute. These interactive columns are my favorites.)

The truth is we humans can make positive change any day—if we’re really ready, if we’re deeply committed. But in spring, Mother Nature gives us an extra cellular push. Spring is the season of new beginnings, new growth. In spring, when all things made of light turn toward the light, it’s easier for you to do the same.

The Art Center of Coastal Carolina has always been about enriching the community through the arts, and on March 23-26 you are invited to join in a very special event that will do just that!

The Center has put together a fabulous retreat aptly named the “Arts Re-Center Retreat”. This event is designed and created with you in mind. The last few years have been stressful so this event will allow and encourage you to come and “Re-flect, Re-nourish and Re-new” through exciting arts-based experiences. 

The instructors have a combined 80-plus years working in the field of visual arts, language arts and performing arts. Bringing these arts together will undoubtedly help you renew through reflection. 

With Valentine's Day on your mind—candles at dinner, red silk undies, chocolate-covered anything—now's a good time to think about your heart.

Thump, thump, thump. Don't be distracted by the obvious rhyme. Focus! When your heart gets sick, so do you. When it stops, you drop. There are many reasons to take care of your heart—oh, the thousands of dollars you'll save!—but preventing an early death is the biggie.

This Valentine's Day, open up to another truth about your heart that never gets enough attention, especially from our busy doctors: It needs loving. Giving and receiving.

Trying to pinpoint the essence and feeling of what it was
like to be raised on a small island eludes me.
The nature of it dangles before me,
but I can’t quite catch it or wrap my words around it.
Is it a Lowcountry sunset over the Intracoastal Waterway?
Or is it the connection to nature and wildlife that makes
it such a unique place to live?
Maybe it’s the strong community of people?

I have tried for years to explain to friends all over the world what it was like to grow up in paradise—the Lowcountry of South Carolina—Hilton Head Island. Never could I find the right words to illuminate or describe the fullness of my childhood place. But this is the beauty of it, too. This well-kept, secret place gave me and my childhood friends refuge from the bigger, busier, more complicated world, which allowed us a moment in time to just be kids—where we felt invincible and untouchable on our 13-mile island.

I can recall vividly—and count on one hand—the migraine headaches I’ve had in my life, all of which were before age 10. Once I turned double digits, I outgrew them ... until a couple of months ago.

With no warning at all, there I was back to my 8-year-old self, flat on my back with a raging migraine. Why now, after all these years?

In reading up on the latest findings, I discovered how important magnesium is to our overall health. Turns out that 80% of the U.S. population suffers from magnesium deficiency causing all kinds of health issues, one of them being migraine headaches. And here’s the problem with that: Magnesium supplements are not necessarily the answer because it is not easily absorbed through the digestive tract.

There are moments in our lives where it is imperative to shine. The job interview is one of them. You have 7 seconds to make a good first impression, a mere flash to convey your best self. Are you prepared? Do you know your value? Have you researched the company or school you are applying to? Do you know the job description or school program inside and out?

Many go into interviews unprepared and shoot from the hip. Some can’t get control of their nerves and fail to communicate their best self because of it. There are many things that can go wrong in an interview, and you may never know what, you simply know you didn’t get the job. There is a method to the interviewing madness, and if you follow Author Donne Greco Paine’s 4 Interview Pillars you are more likely to get a job offer.

The north end of Hilton Head Island has cause to celebrate. A new, local, fine dining establishment has planted itself firmly in the neighborhood and whisked open its welcoming doors. Owner and seasoned restauranteur Earl Nightingale purchased the old, boarded-up Outback Steakhouse building and renovated it into something extra special, with no remnants of blooming onions anywhere to be found. Meet Celeste; she is the beautiful, friendly and delicious new restaurant everyone is flocking to. North end residents are ecstatic to have such a quality restaurant that doesn’t require a trek down the Cross Island Expressway. But there is much more to be ecstatic about Celeste than that.

Let’s talk about what makes a restaurant a favorite—one that is tightly snuggled into your familiar restaurant rut—because these are the reasons you will adore Celeste and welcome her to your short list.

You don't need me to tell you that we're living in uncertain economic times.

One day, stocks are plummeting and home foreclosures are skyrocketing; the next day, things seem to be looking up.

But whether the economy is good or bad, expenses keep rising.

There's the mortgage and the car payments to deal with and all of your other necessary expenses.

But what about the big-ticket items? Something like a busted water heater often hits without warning and with the potential to blow a giant hole in your finances.

The secret for handling a big money decision isn't to grab the credit cards. Instead, you need to anticipate these expenses, divide them into manageable pieces and make them as routine as paying the phone bill.