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UN DAY OF FRIENDSHIPNelson Mandela said: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”

In keeping with his philosophy and recognizing today as the United Nation’s International Day of Friendship, let’s all try to speak the language that profoundly impacts the hearts of others.

And in honoring the intention of today as a way to cultivate the “ties that strengthen our common humanity”, here’s to all my friends from around the globe in gratitude for your friendship and for teaching me that kindness, humanity, and humility know no boundaries.

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Oh to be healthy, wealthy, and wise. Healthy in mind, body, and spirit. Wealthy in boundless opportunities to enrich our lives, as well as the lives of others. And wise in adhering to our belief in trusting that life is what we make it.
We’re only given one chance in life. So why not celebrate the chance to enjoy it while being healthy, wealthy, and wise?

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HUMANITY I recently had the great honor of completing the University of Geneva’s program on Global Health and Human Rights in the exquisitely serene city known as Geneva.  Just back two weeks in the U.S. and still processing the lessons learned, this is what I discovered:

Life is short and as much as possible, we should fill every moment with things that positively enrich our souls. Welcome experiences, both good and bad, and appreciate that their value far outweighs any material possession or any tangible thing. Meaningful friendships and relationships should be treated like precious gems that fill our hearts with love. And we should all try to have enough self-respect to boldly walk away from situations that negatively affect our outlooks and our perceptions. Welcome each day as new beginnings but allow ourselves the luxury to just be. Be honest to ourselves. Trust our instincts. And let’s try to do our part to leave the world a better place. 

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If I was queen for just one day, I would give it all away.

How amazing is it to be seen for who you really are?  I had the recent honor of working with MariCris, of MC Photography, LLC and her images seem to capture the essence of who I am.  Not only is she a true artist, but she is an inspiration for those of us who want to make the world a better place because she donates part of her earnings to entrepeneurial women in the Phillipines. Leslie_beige

Of our photoshoot, she wrote on her blog that I am a “very genuine person with a lot of passion”. And of the images, this is what she saw:http://vimeo.com/97374201

Let’s all make the world a better place by seeing people because they’re beautiful.

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Maya AngelouMy life forever changed on this exact day thirty nine years ago.  Even though it was the day that I could have died, I will forever thank this day for being the day that I survived.

Run over by a gravel truck, my left leg was severely crushed and was amputated just hours later.  That catastrophic loss allowed me the gift of this life that I have been given.  That loss has bestowed me with gifts too great in numerosity to count.  And that loss left me with the perspective to live life fully, to be limitless.

In so honoring this day for what it means, I am grateful to my mom, my dad, my brother, my family, and my friends who helped me survive then; and now, to allow me to thrive and to always be true to myself.  Leslie & Lolly