Plan For an Inspiring Year + A Free Download

Creating Magical Moments

If you’re like me, you have probably made some promises to yourself about how to make this year a productive one. We’d all like a  year filled with a sense of accomplishment and personal fulfillment. Unfortunately, what usually happens is that we are bombarded by a myriad of distractions and fail to meet our goals. Weeks fade into months and months accumulate into a year… before we know it, we have forgotten all about our pledges. At least, that’s what always happens to me! Read more

From My Journey to Yours

I recently published my first article in the North American Post. My articles will be featured in the paper at the beginning of each month. In case some of you missed it, you can read it here. Thank you for your interest in reading what I have to say. Here’s wishing you a good start for 2016!
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My childhood memories of year-end traditions while growing up in Kyushu, Japan always flood my mind this time of the year.

I went through culture shock when I arrived in America at the age of eleven and saw how differently people in America celebrated the coming of the New Year. Lively New Year’s Eve parties, waking up late on January first and watching football games on television while munching on various party foods was so foreign to me.

The older I get, the more I cherish my childhood memories and the tradition of
“starting new with a fresh mindset.” It’s such a good feeling to get enough sleep and rise early on January first, refreshed to face the coming year.

These are my fond memories of New Years growing up in Kokura.

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Power of a SMILE

If you have been reading my blog, you know that I fell while walking my dog last spring and sustained a mouth injury. You can read what happened to me here.
Since then, I’ve gone through a year of dental reconstructive surgeries under the care of the remarkable Dr. Rhys Spoor and his kind and knowledgable staff. They are the best team ever! Read more

Why Going Slow will Help You to Survive

Here’s a story for you.

After I opened my first hair salon in 1980, I worked hard to build my business. I scrimped and saved and put in long hours of work. But I never felt like I was going anywhere with it. Every year was a struggle in financial hardship. Yet, when I looked around, my peers were doing so well. They bought fancy cars and traveled all over the world to attend exciting Beauty Symposiums. Read more