Karen Ladany

Over the past few weeks, I’ve noticed the same pattern in conversation. Someone mentions they just got back from a trip, and almost immediately, the question follows: How was TSA? Not where they went. Not what they did. The line. The answers are rarely neutral. People describe getting there hours earlier than usual, building in extra time just in case, adjusting their plans around what they assume the experience will be. By the time the next person heads to the airport, they’re not just...

Over the last year, my husband has undergone what can only be described as a personal style renaissance. He has moved decisively away from the standard North Texas uniform of golf polos, performance shorts, and sneaker and into a world of fine Italian suits, double-breasted blazers, and leather shoes that appear to have opinions of their own. So complete of a transformation that he no longer has a working definition of “casual.” If you have ever seen a man in Frisco, Texas walking two...

Gratitude is one of the most widely researched emotional capacities we have, and the data is r emarkably consistent . A global review of 64 gratitude studies found consistent improvements in well-being, mood, and life satisfaction , even from small practices. Harvard research shows gratitude is associated with better sleep, lower depression risk, stronger relationships, and healthier biomarkers . A 2024 UCSF study of 18,000 people found that 5–10 minutes of micro-gratitude moments...