Hi WILDD Hearts! Sylviana here.

I just want to tell you a little story about something that happened to me this week that reminds me of what we do out there in the world every single day, and that we're all equipped to do it.

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So I'm at the grocery store and I'm shopping and I really, I'm not a good shopper. I don't like to do it. And I think it's because, you know, if you had millions and millions of dollars, possibly shopping would be a great experience. But it's the whole act of possibly doing algebra, trying to figure out how much you have to spend on this and this and that. So anyway, I digress.

I'm out in the store and I hear whistling. Now let me tell you, I love a good Whistler. I mean a GOOD Whistler, not 'just' whistling cause my husband whistles and God bless him. It's not good, it's painful! It really, it hurts my ears when he whistles!

But my grandfather, he was the best Whistler! And he whistled all the time - coming in the house when he was...

Working in the backyard tending my small salsa garden and other yard maintenance was a joy on that hot Arizona May day.  The sun was relentless, sweat was dripping and I was feeling strong and motivated to get things done.  After hours of physical effort, I was walking alongside the pool taking my last load of plant cuttings and other yard debris to the trash can, when I forgot to cut left for the curvature of the pool and walked straight instead.  My right foot found no solid ground and my left knee landed hard on the inflexible concrete and in screaming pain, I kind of just tumbled into the pool.

Why is it that when things like this happen, time slows down, thoughts speed up, and in a matter of seconds, it feels like I just experienced eternity.  I slowly sank downward, my mind irrationally rambled and then chuckled to itself, “I’ve always wondered how people drown at home alone in their pool!”  I was calm, cool and collected.  This...

When I enter a room, I am often heard before I am seen. If you know me at all you are not surprised in the least by this statement… no it is not due to my Italian heritage. No, it is not always because I use my coaching voice inside. It is due to my Sister Bracelets. No, I am not a gypsy either. I am a proud Sister. I belong to a group of women who demonstrate our connection to each other by the bracelets we wear on our left wrists. Like the Vikings of old, these bracelets demonstrate our
love, care, loyalty and commitment to one other. 

The giving of the bracelets began about 15 years ago. Being a group of sisters who have never shopped at the 5,7 and 9 stores, we were once again adventuring into another diet escapade. This time we were going to use money as our motivator for loss... because we all like money. Each of invested $333 dollars into our “biggest loser” pot. With the...

As a mom, a former teacher and a victim of child sexual abuse by my step-father, I would sometimes wonder… I wondered how this happens and who would victimize an innocent child. 

After years of thinking, researching, and analyzing I finally realize that it doesn’t matter to me anymore.  The bottom line is that we must protect our children from adult predators.  Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, caretakers, whomever has contact with kids must always be watching for signs that something isn’t right.  Sometimes, this means looking closely at each other.  It’s often a convoluted situation and is not as easy as it should be.  It can sometimes require that we overstep our presumed bounds, however, when we act in love and speak respectfully, and all have the child’s best interest as heart, we can protect our children.  Even, when they can’t protect themselves or they seek to protect their predator.

...

60 is one of those birthdays you feel coming for a while…it doesn’t sneak up on you …. or I guess it does. I have felt it coming for a year and a half (or a lifetime, whatever is longest) but then, it’s here and I’m like, “Wow, 60, how did that happen!”

When I was very young 60 seemed so old, REALLY OLD, like “it’s time to die, old.”  Then, of course, as I grew closer and closer, 60 became a different kind of milepost.  My perception changed, thanks to lessons learned, sometimes referred to as wisdom and the many women before me who have blazed new trails and helped me to see that aging is a wonderful adventure.

One of the most important changes I’ve made is how I see myself.  As an avid seeker of enlightenment and personal development for most of my adult life, I did not fully begin “loving myself” until a year or so ago.  I still fall into the self judgement trap...

Since I entered your life 41 years ago at age 19, literally barefoot and pregnant, I’ve wanted to be like you when I grew up.  I hadn’t seen the likes of you before - beautiful, faithful, educated, classy, and loving. We came from two different worlds.  Some Christian mothers-in-law would be petrified, mortified and humiliated to be introducing a complete stranger as her new daughter-in-law and mother of her upcoming grandson.  If you were, you certainly didn’t convey it to me.  You got right down to business by welcoming me into the Soroka family, throwing us a big baby shower in the church, and making sure we knew we had plenty of support.

Right away, you treated me like I was the expert of my life….like I knew what I was doing.  Quite hilarious, looking back, because I didn’t have a clue.  However, your faith in me, gave me faith in myself.  Part of me, was a bit intimidated by you, you had it all together, you...

Sedona, Arizona, is a magical place, without a doubt.  This weekend, with my family and friends, it was enchanted and mystical, as well.  If you haven’t been to Sedona, you’ll want to put it on your Bucket List.  Sedona, two hours north of Phoenix, Arizona, is nestled within magnificent red rock formations and it’s said to be right in the middle of at least one vortex…….  Sometimes defined as swirling centers of energy that are conducive to healing, meditation and self-exploration.

We met up to celebrate my 60^th birthday, 12 of us, all connected in, often complicated, but meaningful, loving ways.  Playing cards, sharing stories, singing, laughing and always discovering and eating delicious meals together, we celebrated our delight in each other and my reaching another milestone in life!  As the birthday girl, I was the receiver of a relaxing facial, a heavenly massage, energizing attention and other very thoughtful...

When I was younger I really thought I had a shortcut to God, wisdom, the Universe, whatever you want to call it.  Always on the path to learn about myself and the world, as I learned, I thought I knew more.  As I gained insights, I slightly elevated myself above others, thinking my thoughts were more unique and creative.  I observed, worked hard, saw the big picture and made some wise connections, which made me seem brilliant to a few. 

As life would have it, I fell from grace… grief stricken, shell-shocked and weak.  Never in my wildest imagination could I figure out how this experience would serve me, as I KNEW every other life experience had.  How could immense, multiple losses benefit anyone?  Slowly, I made my way through the pain, one small step at a time.  Reading wisdoms from others in similar mindsets. Processing my lethargy through listlessly telling my story until I broke through my thick armor and got to the core of the...

My favorite movie of all time is Rocky.  Yeah, yeah, I have heard all the hater’s comments regarding this and I HAVE NOT BEEN MOVED FROM MY OPINION!!! Because you know what- I can relate.  All I need to hear is that Rocky theme music and I am fired up and ready to take on anything.

Of course, this may have a little something to do with the fact that my father was Italian, born in Pennsylvania and like the Rocky character my dad was an academic underdog.  He didn’t really learn to read until college and like the Rocky character, my mom taught him by reading Louis L’Amour Westerns.  My dad was not supposed to graduate from high school, let alone receive two master’s degrees in education and business.

 Dad was a highly successful football coach with three daughters and a much younger son.  So, growing up in a home where we weren’t allowed to say, “I can’t”, or “I quit” pretty much shaped...

Life changes fast!  One minute I think that all is going well – my adult children are happy doing the amazing things they do; my friends and family seem to be moving in the direction they planned and everything is smooth.  In a short moment, everything can change!

A few months ago, I was jolted with the news that three people close to me, were diagnosed with cancer.  Although, as I age and become even more aware, I’m always surprised that when I’m faced with “loss”, I have a more “thankful” perspective on living and dying, and the people I love.  Every moment that I continue to live…that I’m deeply connected with another human being…that I’m fully present…is a precious moment.  My attitude towards the impending holidays was different and took on new insight.  How I received long-term, out-of-state family as guests in my home, here to support our loved one, was warm and...