Marlo Thomas2013-05-21T14:41:56-04:00Marlo Thomashttp://www.quebec.huffingtonpost.ca/author/index.php?author=marlo-thomasCopyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc.HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Marlo ThomasGood old fashioned elbow grease.Good News! 12 Inspiring Acts of Random Kindnesstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.33121932013-05-21T09:06:04-04:002013-05-21T09:31:14-04:00Marlo Thomashttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlo-thomas/
The downside of staying up on the news is the tremendous sadness that often accompanies it. We have all wept together in the past year over stories that have broken our hearts and shocked our consciences -- from school shootings and acts of terrorism to weather disasters and war casualties. Such an onslaught can be dispiriting, and maybe even compel us to give up hope.
I hope not. This is why I try to keep a healthy emotional balance by seeking out stories that lift our sprits and remind us all of our better natures.
At first blush, stories of decency and goodness may seem trivial when compared to the constant stream of bad news that pours forth every day. But it's just a matter of keeping perspective. For instance, would a story about a group of villagers in India banding together to save a baby elephant stop the poverty and injustices suffered by so many around the world? Of course, it wouldn't. But it might keep us from throwing in the towel.
Or what about the fast-food employee from North Carolina who turned a young girl's disastrous prom night into a dream date? That might not turn around the epidemic of bullying facing our youth today, but it goes a long way toward remembering that people are basically kind, and that we look out for each other.
And then there's the New Hampshire college athlete who gave up his beloved sport -- the shot put -- in order to save the life of a complete stranger. That might not be the miracle cure for cancer that we've all been looking for, but it certainly sends a message that sometimes love and kindness are the most powerful medicines.
While we all should continue to take a deep breath and bear the harder and sadder stories that populate the front pages of our newspapers -- and then try to do something about them -- let's all remember to feed our spirits by seeking out stories about random acts of kindness, as well. Those stories are out there -- sometimes you just have to dig a little to find them.
Take a look.
]]>The Powerful Message Within Angelina Jolie's Announcementtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.32816352013-05-16T08:24:12-04:002013-05-16T10:36:50-04:00Marlo Thomashttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlo-thomas/
Not that a woman's breasts are just a body part. Our relationship to our breasts is, to say the least, complicated. As young girls we await their arrival with a mix of anticipation and worry (will they be big enough? Will they be TOO big?). As young women we flaunt them, obsess about them, and sometimes even have to defend them (hey, buddy, my eyes are up here). Pregnant women and nursing mothers develop a whole new understanding of their breasts as true working body parts. And as middle age creeps up on us, we have to start fighting gravity to keep our breasts where we want them.
Of course, where we want them most is right where they are, attached to us front and center as a powerful and healthy representation of our femaleness. At any age, our breasts (or a tantalizing show of cleavage) show the world that we are women. With the right neckline, they practically shout "I've still got it, baby!" That's undoubtedly the reason that so many women name breast cancer as their number one health fear. The same little (or not so little) body parts that make us feel so powerfully female can also make us feel so terribly vulnerable. The thought of cancer invading our breasts is downright terrifying.
Breast cancer claims the lives of nearly 40,000 Americans a year, so it's certainly a legitimate thing to fear -- but heart disease kills half a million American women a year, lung cancer another 70,000, and we don't fear those nearly as much as we do breast cancer. That's because death is not the only source of our fear here. We're also frightened about the quarter-million new diagnoses of breast cancer each year, and how treatment can conjure up the specter of disfigurement and loss of femininity. It's a tragedy that creates a scarred absence that needs to be covered up, where once there were beautiful breasts to be shown off.
Angelina Jolie sent us a very different message this week: that even though much of her fame and power have been rooted in her beauty (and beautiful body), in making this decision she claimed a different kind of power. Knowing that she carried the BRCA mutation that raised her risk of breast cancer to an astounding 87 percent, she willingly chose to undergo a surgery that forces all of us to rethink our fear: that it's not our breasts we have to worry about, it's our lives.
Angelina sacrificed her breasts in order to save her own life - the life of a wife, mother, actress, humanitarian and, yes, movie star. She came out to the world not as a victim but as a woman taking control. She reduced the odds that her children will be left motherless, her husband widowed. With reconstructive surgery, her breasts are still a visible sign of her female beauty - the vulnerable tissue that was removed from within them was only that, tissue. It's not what was inside her breasts that make her a woman, it's what's inside her head and heart.
I'm so impressed with Angelina, not just for choosing the surgery but for publicly asserting her power over her body. Not every woman facing her odds (or a new diagnosis) will make the same choice, nor should she. The point is that we have choices now that we didn't have just a few years ago. The science of genomics has made available amazing amounts of new information. Some of it we can't act on, but some of it we can -- and Angelina did. Now that is power.
"I do not feel any less of a woman," Angelina declared. "I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity."
Amen, sister.]]>12 Tips For Making New Friends At Any Agetag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.32548512013-05-14T09:16:26-04:002013-05-14T18:55:15-04:00Marlo Thomashttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlo-thomas/
When you're young, single, in school or just starting out professionally, you're surrounded by lots of other people who are all in the same boat and new friends seem to be everywhere. Life is just beginning to unfold, and change is everywhere, and that means a constant stream of new adventures, new possibilities and new people.
But as we get older, we can sometimes find ourselves becoming a bit more reserved, and a little less open to change. We get settled into our families, our careers and our routines. And sometimes the friendships in our lives can fall away for any number of reasons, leaving us feeling a little less connected and a little more isolated.
As an adult, it can be hard to meet new people and start new relationships -- especially after a divorce, after the kids are grown, after being laid off or becoming a widow. But it may not be as hard as you think to make new friends in mid-life and beyond.
We reached out to "The Friendship Doctor," Irene Levine, to give us some tips on how to reach out and find new friends at any age. Her advice is fabulous and practical. It's all about taking small steps, opening up, reaching out and realizing that you are not the only one out there looking for new friends.
Take a look.
]]>"The Thing About My Mother..." Celebrity Friends Talk About Their Momstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.32404062013-05-10T09:40:04-04:002013-05-10T15:03:40-04:00Marlo Thomashttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlo-thomas/
That's because she had been a professional singer. At 19, Rose Marie Cassaniti had a fifteen-minute radio show called "The Sweet Singer of Sweet Songs." She was on the road to stardom.
Then one day, it was decided that her show needed to hire an announcer, and in walked a tall, handsome, Lebanese nightclub performer to audition for the gig. He was a struggling comic who needed the job. Mom watched his tryout, then urged the producer to hire him because he had "such sad eyes." The show was renamed "Sweethearts On Parade" and Mom and Dad became sweethearts away from the parade as well. So when Dad decided he needed to move to Chicago and take his shot at the big-time nightclubs, Mother packed up her things, left Detroit and the radio show behind to follow the love of her life.
Within a decade, Dad had become a big star, and was living in Beverly Hills with his wife and three children, the oldest of them writing these memories to you now.
Story Continues Below
It's funny, we grow up with our parents but don't often get a glimpse into their lives -- their real lives -- until we're grownups ourselves. That happened to me 13 years ago, when Mom died. I was sorting through her things and found a letter she'd saved that Daddy had written to her from London, while he was performing at the Palladium. Reading his words, I began to grasp the true arc of their lives, and the high cost their marriage paid so that my father could support our family. I could also feel the pain they felt in being apart.
"I hope some day," Dad wrote at the end of his letter, "our children will appreciate how much we've sacrificed for them."
That made me cry. Because as children we didn't appreciate the sacrifices they made for us - not in their marriage and not about our mother and what she had given up to create a happy and healthy family. Dad really missed mom, he missed all of us, but at least he had the work he loved and a career -- a huge one at that. But the more I thought about Mom, the more I realized that she'd given her whole life to us. And every now and then, I wish I could turn the clock back and say to her, "Darling Mommie, we could have made it on half! "
Which is not to say Mom ever lost her love of the spotlight. She held tight to it, even in her final years. I'll never forget, a few months after my father died, I brought Mom to New York to stay with me and Phil for a while, and asked her to invite her dear friend, Marge Durante, the widow of legendary comedian Jimmy Durante. While they were here, Phil invited Mother and Marge to a taping of his show. He said he'd like to introduce them in the audience. Mother was against the idea. She didn't want a fuss -- she just didn't feel up to it.
Phil argued his case by telling her that people would love to see her and Marge -- they had been married to men who were remembered with great affection. But Mother remained reluctant, so I told Phil not to push her.
When they returned home that evening, Phil gave me the lowdown. Once they'd gotten to the studio, Mom and Marge felt all the excitement of the audience and decided that it was all right for Phil to introduce them. I was delighted.
"So how was it?" I asked my mother.
Mom smiled proudly. "They stood!" she said
You can take the girl out of the club...
Happy Mother's Day, Mommie. I want you to know that I remember what you gave to keep our family together and I am eternally grateful for your love.
And for all of you out there celebrating your mothers on this wonderful day, here are some terrific thoughts and memories from some famous friends and celebrities about their own mothers. Enjoy!]]>Which Celebrities Were Once Teachers? A Pop Quiztag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.31867662013-05-07T08:38:04-04:002013-05-08T10:04:58-04:00Marlo Thomashttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlo-thomas/
I'd just graduated from the University of Southern California, and even though I knew I wanted to go into show business, I tried my hand at teaching for a while -- partly because my father wanted me to get a "real job," but mostly because I loved it.
Standing in front of a classroom of eager students inspired me -- I felt like I was on stage doing a one-woman show! But more important, I was enchanted by my students' endless curiosity. Whether I was introducing them to a great new book, or conducting a science experiment with balloons and water, I was drawn to fascinated look in their eyes, one that told me they truly wanted to learn. My admiration for education stayed with me throughout my career, especially when I took on kids' projects like Free to Be...You and Me. There's nothing quite as rewarding as watching a child learn.
It's so important that we honor the women and men across the country who take our kids under their wing five days a week, and draw them a roadmap to life. That's because school is more than just a place to learn conjunctions and figure out the square root of 724 (28). It's also a training ground for their adult lives, where they learn to work together, support each other and take pride in their accomplishments. And overseeing all of that is the schoolteacher, who has always been our nation's most valuable resource.
Being a former teacher, I couldn't let the day pass without springing a pop quiz on you. So tell me: which of your favorite celebrities were schoolteachers early in the careers? I put together the slideshow below to test your skill -- but don't worry, I've given you a few hints along the way. There are 20 questions in all -- and remember: even though you're just point-and-clicking, neatness still counts.
]]>The Curious History of Women Who 'Passed' As Men In Pursuit of a Dreamtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.32038572013-05-03T14:44:33-04:002013-05-03T14:51:02-04:00Marlo Thomashttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlo-thomas/
Before Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie, Julie Andrews in Victor Victoria and Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis in Some Like It Hot -- throughout history and in almost every culture -- disguising one's gender has been a common plotline in folklore, literature and theater. Cross-dressing gods and goddesses frequently populated Greek, Norse and Hindu mythology; and Shakespeare's plotlines often featured women characters posing as men-- sometimes for their own safety, other times to break out of the submissive role society had forced on them.
Outside of fiction, women's attempts to "pass" as a man have often been a desperate response to professional or societal roadblocks. Some felt they needed to adopt the masquerade in order to break into male-dominated fields. Others simply wanted to get a job -- make a living, support themselves -- the way men always had. And the examples span a broad range of circumstances.
From George Eliot in the 19th century to J.K. Rowling today, women authors have often chosen non-gender-specific pen names (or blatantly male names) to ensure that their work be taken seriously. Eighteenth century Swede Brita Hagberg enlisted in the Army as "Petter" to search for her soldier husband -- who was missing -- and wound up being decorated for battlefield bravery. And in 1901, when prominent New York politician Murray Hall died, it was revealed he was really a she: Mary Anderson, a woman who for 25 years had practiced politics as a man -- playing poker with the boys, smoking cigars and swigging whiskey. It was a gutsy move, and one that reflected an era in which women weren't even allowed to vote.
And the list goes on -- from war correspondents to musicians to judo champions. These were women who took a deep breath and took a gamble, defying the boundaries of gender in order to live the lives they always wanted to live.
Here are just a few of their amazing stories.
]]>10 Tips for Great Sex in Your 40s, 50s and Beyondtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.31785122013-04-30T09:24:32-04:002013-04-30T13:54:02-04:00Marlo Thomashttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlo-thomas/
So let's talk sex -- especially great sex for those in their 40s, 50s and beyond. You don't think that's possible? Think again.
"There is no such thing as a sexpiration date," says Laura Berman, relationship therapist, sex educator, and host of In the Bedroom with Dr. Laura Berman on the Oprah Winfrey Network. According to Dr. Berman, we don't stop needing intimacy or a potent sexual connection as we age any more than we stop needing oxygen, food and water. As for that old myth that sex and intimacy become less important as we get older -- that's why they call it a myth.
"Your age should never limit you when it comes to enjoying your sexuality and your fantasies," Dr. Berman told me recently. "However, the truth is that getting older can sometimes cause changes in our bodies and our sexual response, changes which can complicate our ability to enjoy sex."
Doc Berman is right, of course, and that is precisely why it's so important that we talk about issues like this. Change is inevitable, but the good news is that these changes don't need to impede your sex life. The best way to deal with change is simply to talk about it and to adjust. And that's the most important sex secret of all: that by being open and honest and talking and learning, we can make the adjustments necessary to keep our sex lives healthy, vibrant and fulfilling.
So, don't be shy -- be proactive. Direct from the doctor herself, here are some wonderful tips, tricks and recommendations to help you keep the sex spicy and satisfying in this exciting new chapter of your life.
]]>Photos of Phil and Me -- 33 Years and Going Strongtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//2013-04-26T09:49:14-04:002013-04-26T10:56:49-04:00Marlo Thomashttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlo-thomas/
But then I went on this talk show and something happened. It was weird. It was alchemy. A couple drops of white hair and a dash of blue eyes. A tablespoon of Catholic schoolgirl, a splash of a smile. And we were toast.
Phil flirted with me for the full hour -- and I flirted back, saying brilliant, feminist things like, “Oh, Phil!” and “Oh, you’re so funny, Phil!” It was really embarrassing. Then at the end of the Donahue show, Phil took my hand and said -- on camera -- “Well, you are a just a fabulous guest!” And I, never one to demur from expressing myself fully, said, “And you are wonderful and kind and you like women and whoever is the woman is your life is very lucky.”
The women in the audience knew exactly what was happening. They were watching two people starting to fall in love.
Next month Phil and I will be married 33 years. (Thank you, thank you all. We deserve your applause!) And so just this week, I did what I do every year at this time -- I brought out the old photo albums and started looking through them.
As I paged through the pictures, my heart picked up a few beats (yes, that happens every year, too!), because I saw our story unfolding before me: From those first crazy days when we had to book flights just to go on a date (he was in living in Chicago, I was in L.A.); to the four years after our wedding when we commuted to wherever work took us -- taking turns on alternating weekends -- from our comfy home in Winnetka, Illinois; to our eventual move to our beloved New York City, where life, amazing as it seems, got even better.
But why share these memories alone? Here are some of my favorite photos from Phil’s and my scrapbook. I hope you enjoy them -- they get me every time! --MT
]]>12 New Comedians to Watch -- and the Stars Who Gave Them Their Break!tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.31500002013-04-26T08:54:52-04:002013-04-26T13:12:06-04:00Marlo Thomashttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlo-thomas/
Those were the words Johnny Carson spoke to Joan Rivers on national television on the night of February 17, 1965. Only moments before, Joan had been an unknown and struggling comic -- an anxious but enormously talented fighter who had to tear down mountains to convince the Tonight show bookers to squeeze her into the last ten minutes of the show. But thanks to a killer set -- and Carson's coast-to-coast anointment of her as a force to be reckoned with -- her life changed.
"The next morning, the phones went off the hook," Joan once told me. "It was really like an overnight sensation. Amazing."
Every performer needs a mentor to give them support, to show them the ropes, to tell them that everything is going to be okay. Show business can be a painfully isolating profession, and a little nod of approval can go a long way. When I began filming my series, That Girl, I was renting a sound stage at Desilu Studios, which was owned by Lucille Ball. Although I had confidence in the show, like all young performers I wasn't sure if I was delivering the goods. Then one day Lucy dropped by our set (Lucille Ball for God's sake -- only the best TV comedienne ever!), watched me film for about 20 minutes and then made eye contact with me. She gave me a smile and a wink -- it felt like an Emmy!
Stand-up comedy is no different, especially for those performers who spend most of the year bouncing from one small club to the next, "killing" on some nights and "dying" on others, always questioning whether they've got what it takes. That's why it's so important for a young comic not only to land that elusive break, but to get a cheerleader in the process.
Like Tom Papa, who was hand-picked by the king of comedy himself, Jerry Seinfeld, not only to open for his club act, but also to host The Marriage Ref, which Seinfeld produced. From there, Papa's career ignited.
Or Carmen Lynch, whose debut on Letterman last November was so side-splittingly triumphant that the host himself approached her while she was taking her bows -- on camera -- and invited her to come back.
Or my good pal Vicky Kuperman, whose signature spin on her Russian heritage -- combined with her distinctly American sass -- convinced comedy legend David Brenner to include her in a special young comedians showcase he staged last fall in New York. I attended that event and am happy to report: Vicky brought the house down.
I have often said that no performer in show business earns my admiration like those smart and gutsy stand-ups who storm the stage and bare their souls -- and all in an effort just to make us laugh. And so (with a nod to that old Letterman franchise) it is a delight to present to you my Top Twelve "Comedians to Watch." A round of applause to the big-name stars who have helped nurture their careers -- and to the comedians themselves: may you all continue to kill!
]]>Hate the Gym? 11 Crazy Alternatives to Get in Shapetag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.30717572013-04-24T08:45:50-04:002013-04-24T12:02:59-04:00Marlo Thomashttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlo-thomas/
When it comes to physical fitness, I've always opted for the tried, true and traditional. I'm perfectly happy with my light weight-training and a good jog in the park. The weight-training makes me feel buff and invigorated and the running helps me clear my head and get my heart rate going.
But apparently I've been missing out on a whole new wave of inventive, fun and sometimes hilarious workout routines -- from "aerial yoga" to "booty ballet!" I had no idea that hula hoops were back, and I certainly didn't know that bouncing across the room like a kangaroo -- on "jumping shoes," no less -- would earn me anything but strange stares.
And those are just a few of the unusual new fitness trends that have workout enthusiasts across the country twisting, twirling and bounding their way to better bodies and better health.
Of course, fitness crazes are nothing new. Ever since Jane Fonda released her hit workout series in the '80s, experts have been inventing new ways to get in shape. Sometimes it's just a matter of modifying an existing sport into a fitness routine -- like spinning, boxing or rock climbing -- but other times the ideas are a little more creative.
So, if traditional workouts have run their course for you, take a look at some of the more unusual fitness trends we found that are inviting folks to have a little fun while breaking a sweat. Who knows? Maybe one of these workouts could be your ticket to fitness.
See you at trapeze school!
]]>Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work: It's Not Just For Funtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.31317272013-04-23T08:21:59-04:002013-04-23T09:20:31-04:00Marlo Thomashttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlo-thomas/
This Thursday, parents, children and caregivers around the country will participate in -- and celebrate -- another Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, and it never stops being inspiring to me. For those of us in the Ms Foundation who founded the annual tradition thirty years ago, the day starts out pretty normally, but by mid-morning, the excitement is in the air. Then reporters inevitably begin calling to ask about the day's origins -- and all of us eagerly retell its amazing story:
How the dream -- and the goal -- of the program was to help raise girls' confidence, academic aggressiveness and future employability to the same levels as those of their male classmates.
How ten years later we expanded the day to include boys -- somewhat reluctantly, at first -- and Gloria Steinem's memorable observation about that transformation: that "it was the first thing girls had that boys wanted -- so you know it's good when the boys want in."
And how, each year, we thrill at witnessing kids across the country getting a taste of the real world in places as varied as office skyscrapers, firehouses and ferry boats, and even on the sets of Hollywood movies.
But beyond the fun and excitement, Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is really a mentoring day for girls and boys -- a chance for parents and caregivers to model adult relationships. Kids learn by example as well as by words. We need to give them a front row look at how women and men come together and share the workplace. We need to talk about our respect for each other. Maybe we even put girls and boys on a project together at our places of work, and monitor how they get along.
Sadly, this year, these lessons are more important than ever -- perhaps even a matter of life and death. That's because it has been a tragic spring for several young girls -- and one that will forever haunt the boys involved.
On April 4, 17-year-old Rehtaeh Parson hanged herself in her Canadian home, lapsed into a coma and died three days later. Her despondency has been linked to her alleged gang rape by four boys in November of 2011, and the online distribution of photos of that horrible event.
On April 11, three teenage California boys were arrested for sexually assaulting Audrie Pott, a 15-year-old who'd suffered an almost identical tragedy as Rehtaeh last September: a drunken gang rape at a party, humiliating photos shared on social media, and suicide by hanging. "The whole school knows," Audrie wrote on her Facebook page just days before her death. "My life is ruined."
And last month, two 16-year-old high school football players from Ohio were convicted of raping a Steubenville girl last August while she was unconscious from alcohol and possibly drugs. Thankfully, she survived the assault and testified at the boys' trial. But the scars from that awful evening will undoubtedly last a lifetime.
We have been talking about the scourge of bullying on this site for nearly two years, but this latest wave of tragedies -- boy against girl, sexual violence, mortification on social media, suicide -- points to a frightening escalation of the crisis. It also poses endless questions: Is technology to blame? Are kids growing up too fast and, as a result, growing up wrong? Has the economic climate -- adults out of work, feelings of rage and helplessness -- setting off a chain reaction within the family?
I'm hoping that this year's Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day will open up a whole new conversation between parents and children.
I hope the parents and caregivers who participate in the day's events will focus on setting examples for their children, so that kids not only feel comfortable in the workplace -- and even picture themselves in it someday in the future -- but also understand how grownup women and men interact in a healthy and positive way.
I want kids to witness how colleagues lend support to one another on the job, sharing in each other's victories and propping each other up in times of failure. I want them to see how conflicts are addressed, not by singling out -- or mocking -- those who are different but instead by finding common ground.
We need to help them learn this invaluable life lesson at this most crucial juncture in their lives -- the moment when girls and boys become men and women -- and that at the workplace, they should see themselves as friends and partners, not as victims and bullies.
No young woman should have to suffer the heartbreaking fates of Rehtaeh and Audrie and the brave survivor from Ohio. And no young man should make such tragically wrong choices as those boys who chose to torment and assault -- mistakes that will affect them for the rest of their lives. It is all of our responsibility to help shepherd all of our children -- safely and carefully -- into adulthood, and we can begin doing that this Thursday, at the workplace.
I hope you'll take a look at the slide show below, which offers some tips on how to make this year's Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day a productive one for you and your child. Here's wishing us all a memorable and enriching day.
To support the annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, log on at www.DaughtersAndSonsToWork.org and find out how you can bring the program to your community and help with fundraising efforts.]]>12 Ways to Be Green for Earth Day, and Every Daytag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.31109072013-04-22T08:45:42-04:002013-04-22T17:32:12-04:00Marlo Thomashttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlo-thomas/
We see the receding ice caps and dwindling numbers of polar bears; sure, we see the cyclones and the floods in distant lands, and the rise in droughts and hurricanes here at home -- yet somehow where it's all headed seems so far away that it's just easier to think, "What can I do about it? I'll worry about it tomorrow."
But the truth is, tomorrow is rapidly becoming today. Although we may not often acknowledge it, climate change affects every one of us -- and all of us can affect climate change.
Today is Earth Day, and around the world, hundreds of millions of individuals, corporations, governments and communities will band together to pledge to make a difference, and to step forward to protect our planet. Discussions and conferences will be held, concerns will be voiced, problems will be addressed, plans will be made and actions will be taken. No, there will be no overnight solutions, but collectively, our consciousness will be raised, and whatever small steps we plan to take will begin to add up.
That's because Earth Day is not just about organized groups in distant cities making plans. It is also about every one of us taking responsibility for our own actions and setting good examples for our children, our neighbors and friends. As with all social movements throughout history, awareness leads to action, and action leads to change.
And those changes have a real effect. Remember when there was no such thing as unleaded gas or recycling bins, and nobody gave you grief for leaving the lights on and the water running? Now, thankfully, those concerns are part of our daily lives and the planet is happier for it. That's what Earth Day is about.
So today, I urge you to take a moment to look at your own habits and actions, and consider what small changes you can make that will contribute to the larger effort. The easiest way for each of us to begin, of course, is to take steps to reduce our own carbon footprints. So we've made up a list of twelve simple ways that you can begin today. It doesn't take much, but it's so very important for all of us.
And Happy Earth Day!
]]>Post-Boston: Coping With the Psychological Aftermathtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.31041922013-04-19T08:58:46-04:002013-04-22T11:59:32-04:00Marlo Thomashttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlo-thomas/
Looking at the photos and videos of those who were injured, and the three who lost their lives, breaks our hearts and reminds us all of how vulnerable we are.
I needed to understand: What do the rest of us, who were not in Boston that day, do with our feelings? And what is the psychological impact of crises like the Boston Marathon bombing? Across the country this week, experts have been weighing in about the emotional and psychological distress that the attack left in its wake, and according to them, what we are experiencing now is to be expected.
"It's a horribly difficult thing to process an event that most of us haven't encountered before in our lifetimes." --Wynn Schwartz, professor at Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology
"As in any disaster, the emotional wounds and the emotional injuries far outweigh the physical ones in terms of number of people affected. Though not life-threatening, the trauma can affect the way we function." -- Josh Klapow, associate professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health
"People become apprehensive. Some feel numb emotionally and some feel overwhelmed. Some feel it's best to withdraw and isolate themselves. We want to know what's happening, who's behind it. That helps us deal with some of the uncertainty." -- Emanuel Maidenberg, Ph.D, director of the cognitive behavioral therapy clinic, UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine.
"It's very difficult. The first thing you do is check in with your own emotions. Because you can guarantee whatever you're feeling, your kids are feeling as well." -- Dr. Janet Taylor, community psychiatrist, Clinical Instructor of Psychiatry at Harlem Hospital
"I think this is the new norm now." -- Patricia Saunders, Clinical Psychologist, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Knowing that our feelings of worry and fear are normal, however, doesn't stop us from constantly asking ourselves questions: How can we cope with that nagging sense of helplessness? Will we continue to jump every time we hear a siren? When will these terrible feelings go away?
Thankfully, we can be proactive about this -- both for ourselves and our friends and family. Psychiatrist, author and television commentator Gail Saltz, M.D. has been on a tear this week, appearing on TV and lending her voice to the national discussion about coping with the emotional aftermath of the Boston tragedy. I was fortunate enough to have Gail on a special edition of "Mondays with Marlo" on Thursday, and she not only assured us that our nationwide post-traumatic distress will pass, but also provided some invaluable tips that might make the process a little easier.
Know The Facts: It is important to know the reality of the crisis. Facts are often less frightening than the rumors you hear on the street. Take comfort in the basic statistics -- namely, that this is truly a rare event.
Minimize Media Overexposure: Once you have gotten the facts for the day, do not continue to watch and read the same details stuff over and over. Repeated exposure will likely increase your feelings of anxiety.
Share the News With Older Children: Avoiding conversations about the tragedy with older children will only make them frightened, as they'll believe that the details were so awful that you kept it secret. With younger children, explain what happened, but don't let them watch the news. It might make them believe the event is happening over and over again.
Talk to Friends: Talking things over is helpful and better than staying isolated and worried. But avoid anyone who is very panicky and wants to pump you up with anxiety.
Distract Yourself: Occupy yourself with tasks that you can have control over, such as your work, organizing your home or even going to the movies. Read and watch more positive and fun things.
Stay Healthy: Avoid caffeine, which can increase that jittery feeling. Exercise to relieve stress, and minimize alcohol, which disrupts sleep.
Get Help: If you experience the following symptoms, seek professional help: inability to function in daily life, two weeks of sleeplessness, loss of concentration or enjoyment of anything, loss of appetite, overwhelming feelings of worry and panic.
I hope you'll take a look at Gail's and my conversation-- her strategies for coping with distress are both and calming and wise. You can also click onto the slide show below, which provides equally helpful tips from the American Red Cross.
In the meantime, our thoughts continue to go out to those in Boston who suffered this awful tragedy up close. Our prayers are with you and your families.
]]>Managing Your Money: 12 Things Every Woman Should Knowtag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.30551152013-04-12T08:33:01-04:002013-04-12T12:04:34-04:00Marlo Thomashttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlo-thomas/
If you're an upstanding, tax-paying citizen (and if you're not, I don't want to know about it), right now you're probably staring at spreadsheets, number-crunching your finances and forecasting your upcoming fiscal year. It's never fun, of course, but we've gotta do what we've gotta do in order to stay on track. What's important to know, however -- especially for those of us who don't have a degree in accounting -- is that there are many creative ways to save, invest and maximize our incomes.
Last year, Time magazine reported that more than a third of American women are now the family breadwinner, yet still "lag behind men in actions crucial to building wealth and security, such as investing and having a long-term money plan." That's not very cheerful news. When it comes to financial matters, it is vital that we empower ourselves to take control and take advantage of every opportunity to make our money work for us. And the great thing is, it's not so hard to do this, provided you ask the right questions from someone in the know. Sometimes a little advice can go a very long way.
That's why we've put together a dozen wonderful tips and recommendations from some of our most prominent financial experts. We've been lucky enough to have a few of these terrific women as guests on Mondays With Marlo, and they've never failed to encourage, educate and inspire us.
So, take a moment to find out what Suze Orman, Maria Bartiromo, Alexa Von Tobel and others have to say about keeping your finances sound and secure. Their ideas, suggestions and advice are worth their weight in gold.
And cheer up. May is only two weeks away.
]]>Nothing to Sneeze At: 12 Easy Ways to Combat Spring Allergiestag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.30378722013-04-09T08:40:48-04:002013-04-09T12:20:03-04:00Marlo Thomashttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlo-thomas/
For all of the wonderful things that come with spring -- the sun, the flowers, the singing birds, even the spring cleaning -- there is one aspect of the season that is not so wonderful: allergies! Every spring, as the trees begin to bloom, clouds of pollen are released into the air and the annual chorus of sniffling and sneezing begins.
One of the recommend remedies is to stay inside, close the windows and sit in front of an air purifier. But who wants to be trapped inside when everything is coming back to life outside? For most of us, a few simple tricks and clever practices are all it takes to prevent, or at least reduce, the symptoms of our allergic reactions.
For example, did you know that the hair products you use could make your allergies worse? Were you aware that certain types of clothing can actually attract pollen? And, yes, peppermint tea can actually clear up congestion and reduce inflammation.
We found twelve easy ways to combat those spring allergies, so take a look and see if a few of these tips may help to make your spring season a little less stuffy and a lot more beautiful.