Appreciation is a profound yet often understated human emotion that plays a pivotal role in shaping our interactions and experiences. It goes beyond mere acknowledgment, involving a deep sense of recognizing value and meaning in people, objects, or experiences. Understanding appreciation can transform our lives by fostering positivity, enhancing Relationships, and improving overall well-being. Our Experts in this area of the site explore how the Baby Boomer Generation has grown to appreciate what we have done so far during our lifetime and what we have the capacity to do by sharing our knowledge with the upcoming generations like Generation X, Generation Z, Millennials and Generation Alpha.
At its core, appreciation is the recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something. It involves noticing and valuing the positive aspects of our surroundings, achievements, and relationships. Appreciation can be as simple as recognizing the beauty of a sunset or as profound as valuing the support of loved ones. Expressing appreciation doesn’t require grand gestures. A simple “thank you” or a heartfelt note can make a significant difference. Be specific about what you appreciate; instead of saying “Great job,” try “I appreciate the effort you put into this project; it made a big difference.” By making appreciation a daily habit, we can cultivate a more fulfilling and enriched life.
So here we are. I am home. I am comfortable. And I am
officially on an eight-week "no weight on the left leg" restriction.
You might think being stuck on the couch would be a recipe
for boredom. And you would be right, but it is also a recipe for reflection.
And for catching up on all the books I…
So here we are. I am home. I am comfortable. And I am
officially on an eight-week "no weight on the left leg" restriction.
You might think being stuck on the couch would be a recipe
for boredom. An…
So here we are. I am home. I am comfortable. And I am
officially on an eight-week "no weight on the left leg" restriction.
You might think being stuck on the couch would be a recipe
for boredom. And you would be right, but it is also a recipe for reflection.
And for catching up on all the books I have been meaning to read. And for
watching sports with the kind of dedication that would make a professional
scout proud.
I have already started my list:
·
Read three books I have been putting off.
·
Finish a few posts for this blog.
·
Watch t…
Host Matthew Gray interviews investor Lane Kawaoka about his path from buying a Seattle home in 2007 to building 11 out-of-state rentals by 2015, and later moving into multifamily value-add syndications and private placements. The conversation highlights why cash flow matters, including using the 1%…
Host Matthew Gray interviews investor Lane Kawaoka about his path from buying a Seattle home in 2007 to building 11 out-of-state rentals by 2015, and later moving into multifamily value-add syndicatio…
Host Matthew Gray interviews investor Lane Kawaoka about his path from buying a Seattle home in 2007 to building 11 out-of-state rentals by 2015, and later moving into multifamily value-add syndications and private placements. The conversation highlights why cash flow matters, including using the 1% rent-to-price rule as a quick screen and budgeting for maintenance and CapEx. Lane also addresses his role with property managers in “managing the manager.” Lane breaks down neighborhood classes (A–D), the tradeoffs between better rent ratios and more headaches in lower-class areas, and why …
"Growing old is a privilege denied to many."
I have heard that phrase many times over the years, and the older I become, the
more I appreciate its truth.
When someone asks, "Is aging a good thing or a bad
thing?" my answer is simple.
That doesn't mean aging is always easy. It isn't. Our bodies
cha…
"Growing old is a privilege denied to many."
I have heard that phrase many times over the years, and the older I become, the
more I appreciate its truth.
When someone asks, "Is aging a good thing or …
"Growing old is a privilege denied to many."
I have heard that phrase many times over the years, and the older I become, the
more I appreciate its truth.
When someone asks, "Is aging a good thing or a bad
thing?" my answer is simple.
That doesn't mean aging is always easy. It isn't. Our bodies
change, our memories may not be as sharp, and many of us discover that we can
no longer do some of the things we once took for granted. Yet growing older
also offers something that youth rarely can, perspective.
Recently, I was reading National Geographic's special
publication Outlook on the Second Ha…
So, I recently had major surgery on my ankle. Let me back up
a bit.
My arthritis—which I now refer to as my uninvited
houseguest—decided to make itself known. First, it went after my shoulder. The
medication stepped in like a bouncer at a rowdy bar and said, "Not
tonight." The shoulder was save…
So, I recently had major surgery on my ankle. Let me back up
a bit.
My arthritis—which I now refer to as my uninvited
houseguest—decided to make itself known. First, it went after my shoulder. Th…
So, I recently had major surgery on my ankle. Let me back up
a bit.
My arthritis—which I now refer to as my uninvited
houseguest—decided to make itself known. First, it went after my shoulder. The
medication stepped in like a bouncer at a rowdy bar and said, "Not
tonight." The shoulder was saved.
Then the arthritis regrouped. It strategized. And it decided
to attack my ankle with the kind of determination usually reserved for
championship boxing matches. It won that round.
So off to surgery I went, to get the arthritis removed and a
piece of metal grafted in to make sure my ankle could …
Your 401(k) is likely your largest retirement asset, but are you managing it with a blind spot? This week, we cover the spectrum of 401(k) mistakes, starting with the heaviest hitter: Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA). We explain how this specific IRS rule allows you to move company stock out of you…
Your 401(k) is likely your largest retirement asset, but are you managing it with a blind spot? This week, we cover the spectrum of 401(k) mistakes, starting with the heaviest hitter: Net Unrealized A…
Your 401(k) is likely your largest retirement asset, but are you managing it with a blind spot? This week, we cover the spectrum of 401(k) mistakes, starting with the heaviest hitter: Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA). We explain how this specific IRS rule allows you to move company stock out of your 401(k) and pay lower capital gains rates instead of ordinary income tax.From there, we scale down to the everyday mistakes. Tune in to ensure your retirement strategy is actually optimized.Send us Fan MailSend your questions for upcoming show to [email protected] @checkyourbalances on …
Can travel connect generations?In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Wanderer's Compass" Travel Podcast, travel writers Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough explore how traveling through Europe—from France and Belgium to Luxembourg, Germany, and the Netherlands—creates meaningful connections through ca…
Can travel connect generations?In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Wanderer's Compass" Travel Podcast, travel writers Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough explore how traveling through Europe—from France…
Can travel connect generations?In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Wanderer's Compass" Travel Podcast, travel writers Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough explore how traveling through Europe—from France and Belgium to Luxembourg, Germany, and the Netherlands—creates meaningful connections through castles, history, culture, food, and local traditions.This inspiring conversation celebrates the educational value of travel, showing how exploring together encourages curiosity, confidence, cultural appreciation, and lifelong learning for travelers of every age.⭐ Stay through the end to hear Ryan's…
This week Wil and Langdon Reid of Wilson Fairchild pull up a chair beside Dave to show you what a life in music actually looks like from the inside. These guys grew up on a tour bus in the ’70s and ’80s watching their dads, Don and Harold Reid, play eight years with Johnny Cash before becoming T…
This week Wil and Langdon Reid of Wilson Fairchild pull up a chair beside Dave to show you what a life in music actually looks like from the inside. These guys grew up on a tour bus in the ’70s and …
This week Wil and Langdon Reid of Wilson Fairchild pull up a chair beside Dave to show you what a life in music actually looks like from the inside. These guys grew up on a tour bus in the ’70s and ’80s watching their dads, Don and Harold Reid, play eight years with Johnny Cash before becoming The Statler Brothers, a side-stage masterclass we all wish we had. You’ll hear the advice that shaped them: nobody can put you in the music business and nobody can take you out, so you’d better love the life and want it bad. You’ll get the manager horror stories (let’s just call him Peter), t…
Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring co-authors Robert Pallitto and John Melendez, discussing their acclaimed 2026 book, Whistle Stop: The Life of Kenny Dorham.In this fascinating conversation, we take a deep dive into the first full-length biography of legendary jazz…
Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring co-authors Robert Pallitto and John Melendez, discussing their acclaimed 2026 book, Whistle Stop: The Life of Kenny Dorham.In this …
Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring co-authors Robert Pallitto and John Melendez, discussing their acclaimed 2026 book, Whistle Stop: The Life of Kenny Dorham.In this fascinating conversation, we take a deep dive into the first full-length biography of legendary jazz trumpeter Kenny Dorham—one of the most influential yet often overlooked architects of modern jazz. From his roots in rural Texas to the forefront of the bebop revolution, Dorham's remarkable story is finally given the depth and attention it deserves.Political science professor Robert Pallitto joi…
Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring co-authors Robert Pallitto and John Melendez, discussing their acclaimed 2026 book, Whistle Stop: The Life of Kenny Dorham.In this fascinating conversation, we take a deep dive into the first full-length biography of legendary jazz…
Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring co-authors Robert Pallitto and John Melendez, discussing their acclaimed 2026 book, Whistle Stop: The Life of Kenny Dorham.In this …
Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring co-authors Robert Pallitto and John Melendez, discussing their acclaimed 2026 book, Whistle Stop: The Life of Kenny Dorham.In this fascinating conversation, we take a deep dive into the first full-length biography of legendary jazz trumpeter Kenny Dorham—one of the most influential yet often overlooked architects of modern jazz. From his roots in rural Texas to the forefront of the bebop revolution, Dorham's remarkable story is finally given the depth and attention it deserves.Political science professor Robert Pallitto joi…
Just a short video about the main purpose of the Office of the Veteran Advocate.
OVA is not a VSO; they serve an oversight/advocacy function for Veterans in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Once I understood this concept, I gained an appreciation for how the Office of the Veteran fulfilled its…
Just a short video about the main purpose of the Office of the Veteran Advocate.
OVA is not a VSO; they serve an oversight/advocacy function for Veterans in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Once…
Just a short video about the main purpose of the Office of the Veteran Advocate.
OVA is not a VSO; they serve an oversight/advocacy function for Veterans in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Once I understood this concept, I gained an appreciation for how the Office of the Veteran fulfilled its mandate.
Go to https://www.mass.gov/orgs/office-of-the-veteran-advocate to learn more.
Royce Shook
July 21, 2026
Matthew Gray 
Daniel Messeca 
Lisa Smith 
Dave Hamilton 
Joe Dimino 
Travis Partington