It was one of the longest nights of my young life. A heavily freckled teenager, I had never experienced a loss before. The news of her sudden death paralyzed and numbed me. I could not sleep that night and, having exhausted all tears, I started to scream like a wounded animal. I simply could not believe I would not see her again, that I would not look into her quiet, yet sparkling, lively and warm blue eyes, that I would not once more bathe in her amazing aura or enjoy the music of her soft smile. Her name was Rimma. She was my mother's very close friend from the capital of my country, Moscow. She was a professor of Biology at the Moscow University and a wife of a diplomat, with whom she traveled the world at a time when only few could in my home country, living behind the iron curtain separating it from the world. They, the diplomats, had uncounted privileges - ones that Rimma never took advantage of. Read more »

How many times in your life you regretted that you did not know enough, have not read more to show your intelligence and enhance your image and confidence in a conversation? It happened to me many times, and each and every time I was determined to educate myself, to be wittier, better informed, and faster thinking. Read more »

Have you ever found yourself in a conversation where you suddenly realized that your vis-à-vis and you were talking about completely different things? At work and in a casual talk, with colleagues and family members, many of us wonder “What are you talking about?” It is a clear sign of ineffective, and therefore unproductive, communication. People spend hours in business meetings, phone conversations, e-mail correspondence, and often cannot stay on the same page, although they are positive they know exactly what they’re supposed to do.  Read more »

It was a year ago when we launched the Lioness. For me – She was a personal quest for harmony and wisdom, a pursuit of self-fulfillment. And an irresistible desire to share with others what I believe is important - the inner beauty, and embracing the beauty of the world around us. Read more »

Heading to the exhibition of a world-renowned French Couturier Jean Paul Gaultier at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, I was prepared to immerse myself into the world of beauty, style, and extravaganza, so characteristic of haute-couture culture. I knew that Gaultier is well-known for his audacious experimentation with styles. Knowing that his outstanding 1997 haute-couture collection brought Gaultier a colossal success and universal recognition in the fashion world and beyond, I was really looking forward to an encounter with this unique designer... Read more »

Each of us at least once met a woman who left an unforgettable impression in our memory. She was not necessarily beautiful, but definitely different from many others. She was hard to forget. We felt comfortable and welcome in her company, we wanted to prolong the moment of connection with her and that very special pleasant impact her presence had on us. Who of us would not want to be one of those unforgettable women, leaving a trace of charm, warmth, and exclusivity behind? Who of us would not appreciate a compliment on our elegance, interpersonal skills, charisma?.. What makes us charming and what constitutes a charisma? Is it our appearance and natural beauty, or a very special skill of expressing ourselves that we possess? Do charm and wit, poise and self-assurance make us charismatic? Or, what do we lack to be called that charismatic woman, who possesses the magnetic power of attracting admirers and leaving forever the indelible impression in the hearts and minds of others? Read more »

On July 26, 2010 Science Daily reported that a team of researhers from the UK and Finland finally answered the question that puzzled scientists for decades – that is why people with more years in education have a much lower risk of developing dementia. For each additional year of education there is an 11% decrease in risk of developing dementia, it was found. The co-author of the studies, Dr. Hannah Keage of the University of Cambridge said ”Our study shows education in early life appears to enable people to cope with a lot of changes in their brain before showing dementia symptoms”. Read more »

Reciprocity.... This complicated word describes a great and effective approach to our relationship with the world and those who we encounter along the way. According to the ancient philosopher Confucius, reciprocity signifies “mutuality, interchange, duality, interdependence.” Derived from Latin, “reciprocus” has the connotation of altruism, making a sacrifice, alternation. Simply put – it is the art of give and take. What are we prepared to offer those around us? How far are we ready to stretch ourselves in order to reach out to that other person? What do we ask for as compensation and thanks? Read more »

That thought was vague, yet persistent.... It would not leave but rather grow and frequent the mind at a surprisingly increasing pace. As I found myself distancing from my 40th year long enough, self-reflection and the longing to ascertain who I am would not let me sleep at nights. ‘Now what?’ I was asking myself for a long time and for a long time was unable to find an answer... And could there be a simple answer at all? Now I know there was. Read more »

No effort in the world will put you on that treadmill yesterday.... And no clock in the world will bring you back in time to make that phone call yesterday.... Read more »