A couple of weeks ago, I went in for my routine mammogram. For the first time, I was called back for a second look. 

While I tried not to dwell on it, the possibility of what might come kept creeping into my thoughts.

As I lay on the table during the ultrasound, my mind drifted to my friends who are breast cancer survivors. 

When I considered them all together, the sheer number was staggering—so many of my close friends had already faced and survived this. 

The statistic says it all: one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.  It's a sobering reality that reminds us how vulnerable we are, especially as we age.

Aging is, of course, one of the greatest risk factors for many diseases. But while we can’t control everything, we do have power over a significant portion of our health. 

It’s about strengthening our defense systems, and it all boils down to doing the basics—those fundamental principles I teach and coach every day.

f you find yourself saying …. “I should have" … “I could have” …"or I would have" … stop, and take some moments to think about you, and where you are now and where you want to go.

It's about creating your vision - that vision of your “ideal” self - that vision that makes you feel satisfaction, happiness, contentment, accomplishment. In short, activating your plan for personal growth, with the reward being fulfillment.

Life's too short to minimize that reward.

A recent interview with The Band of Sisters, a group of former PepsiCo executives and authors of the new book, You Should Smile More, brought into focus the power of reflection. When you give yourself time to think about the advice that you would give to your younger self, you may be surprised by the wisdom that is revealed … and the power that advice still has to illuminate your future.