Alicia Young

Trying to Live Gracefully in a Rushed World

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Oversharing & Underthinking.

September 12, 2014 by Alicia Young

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[I usually lean toward more uplifting stories… but here goes!] Maybe you’ve seen today’s news story of a father who filmed his daughter’s birth—while driving to the hospital. Oddly, it was introduced as a “feel-good” piece which was “guaranteed to put a smile on your face.” Says whom? As a former child protection worker and now a journalist, I’m appalled – not that one needs to be either of course, to be equally incensed. In case you missed it: http://tinyurl.com/p76zuos I appreciate birth is a magical moment. At the same time, there surely is no more delicate life than a newborn. Despite… [Read More]

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Posted in Communication, Community, LIfe, Mind Tags: filming, filming birth while driving, oversharing, social media, stupidity, underthinking

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WINNERS! 2014 Savvy Life Awards/Savvy Girl Awards

May 9, 2014 by Alicia Young

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WINNERS! $5000 in Prizes!  2014 SAVVY LIFE AWARDS/SAVVY GIRL AWARDS   The inaugural Savvy Life Awards/Savvy Girl Awards has now wrapped up, and our thanks to each person who entered. You came from all across the US! We took inspiration as you shared your thoughts on a savvy life, and how you help your family, friends and wider communities. In addition to the prizes below, winners will receive a copy of Alicia Young’s award-winning book, The Savvy Girl’s Guide to Grace: small touches with big impact—at work, home & in love. It explores ways to tap our inner Audrey Hepburn,… [Read More]

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Posted in Community, LIfe, Mind, Relationships, Social Life, Spirit, Uncategorized Tags: LoboLuxe, Spread-the-word Prizes, The Savvy Blogger Award, The Savvy Citizen Award, The Savvy Girl award (College), The Savvy Girl Award (High School Senior), The Savvy Girl Awards, The Savvy Life Awards

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The Year of No.

January 12, 2014 by Alicia Young

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[HAPPY NEW YEAR! I allow myself one re-post each year, around now. I offer it as a reminder to us all – myself included – of the need to become/stay comfortable with saying no when people or obligations tip the scale and become toxic. Please consider. Also, while I have you, we’ve just switched to the domain savvylife.net, and doing so meant we lost social media data on the posts. Please know how much we appreciate the tweets, “likes” and “shares”. – Thanks, Alicia.] Could you organize the group gift? Could you babysit this weekend? Could you lend me some… [Read More]

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Posted in Career, Communication, Community, Identity, LIfe, Mind, Relationships, Social Life, Spirit Tags: aggression, assertion, balance, friendships, loaning money, No, Relationships, saying no, self esteem, self worth.

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Five touching moments in 2013:

December 29, 2013 by Alicia Young

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5. Selflessness: Our little neighbor, who shared her birthday toys with children at a local shelter. 4. Generosity & discretion: Strangers help blind man to keep his aging guide dog. NYC resident Cecil Williams had expected he would soon have to give up his faithful companion, Orlando, as his insurance doesn’t cover a non-working service dog. In December, Orlando helped save his master’s life when Mr. Williams fell on to the tracks of the New York subway. Donors covered costs to ensure the pair stay together. 3. Grace: Nine-year old swimmer presents championship trophy to his rival. Florida boy Josh… [Read More]

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Posted in Community, LIfe, Mind, Relationships, Spirit Tags: 2013, 2014, compassion, generosity, Grace, kindness, Nelson Mandela, nonjudgment, selflessness

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What makes a life happy or successful?

November 13, 2013 by Alicia Young

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Over the weekend, I delivered a talk on success in different cultures. What constitutes a happy or successful life? We all use a different yardstick, of course. Maybe a combination of family time, career accomplishment and financial security? A Mercedes in the driveway? Designer clothes? An Oscar? Let me tell you about one of the most successful people I’ve met. I’m not talking about a world leader, nor a famous athlete … in fact, no-one who would headline a Vegas show, walk the red carpet or stand on a dais. She was a six year old girl, and I met… [Read More]

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Posted in Career, Community, Identity, LIfe, Mind, Relationships, Spirit Tags: adversity, challenges, designer clothes, famous people, happiness, happy, India, leprosy hospital, Mercedes, Oscars, Russian nesting dolls., success, yardstick

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Words to live by: our favorite quotes.

September 14, 2013 by Alicia Young

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They’re scrawled on restroom walls, brimming with gritty wisdom. Etched on rings, on lockets, in hearts. Scrawled in diaries that reflect our journeys. Favorite words, phrases and other sayings find their way into our days. I once read that actress Sarah Jessica Parker used the word “grace” as a password, to remind her of this essential element. Here’s some of mine: “People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime.”  – Author unknown. Not every player in our lives will be a permanent cast member. Sometimes they cross paths, play their role, and bow out. “I don’t trust anyone who… [Read More]

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Posted in Communication, Identity, LIfe, Mind Tags: failure, Laughter, Life, lifetime, people, Quotes, reason, season, success

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A “coincidence” saved my life.

August 21, 2013 by Alicia Young

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Except, I don’t believe it was a coincidence, though many would label it that way. In college, I caught three buses to class. I wanted a place close to campus and was delighted to find one right across the road. I could sleep in and still be on time – love it! It was a Monday and I had a lecture at 11am; I arranged to meet the guy straight after, at noon. I missed my bus that day. That alone was rare; I like to arrive early. Instead, I scrambled to class with minutes to spare, and couldn’t see a single seat in… [Read More]

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Posted in LIfe, Mind, Spirit Tags: coincidence, college, Life, protected

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Gifts that inspire.

August 14, 2013 by Alicia Young

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[NOTE: My first post since May. Thanks for your patience, as I pushed through the last few months of the book. See sample chapters via the Amazon link at right.] I was inspired today by a fabulous friend (thanks, Blossom!) whose FB post shows the impact of a gift. Let me paraphrase: A young struggling writer once received a gift of a year’s salary from a friend, with a note that read: “You have a year off from your job to write whatever you please. Merry Christmas.” That young writer was Harper Lee. And of course, she wrote, To Kill… [Read More]

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Posted in LIfe, Mind, Relationships, Spirit Tags: author, generosity, generosity of spirit., gestures, Gifts, Inspiration, Inspirational gifts, Inspire, Relationships

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Time

April 24, 2013 by Alicia Young

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“I’ve been on a calendar, but I’ve never been on time.” —Marilyn Monroe. Each of us has a relationship with time. We might bluster through our day, lurching from appointment to appointment, or we might move like molasses, unperturbed. Society vows “faster” is better. I found a spray called a “sixty-second shower” —apparently, a few good squirts, and you’re good to go. A fast food ad proclaims “Served in nine minutes—or it’s free.” Carl Honoré is an international journalist, always jetting off to exotic locales—and always battling the clock as he races to file the story. A pivotal moment inspired… [Read More]

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A few of my favorite things…?

April 11, 2013 by Alicia Young

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Maybe I’ve caught bits of The Sound of Music a little too often (she says, loving it every time). Maybe it’s the frequent fire sirens lately. Or maybe I was inspired by a writer friend, who wrote eloquently about possessions and the hold they can have on us, as well as the delicious release when we let them go. So I’m wondering: what are your three most treasured possessions? And here’s a challenge: you can’t say family photos, diaries or books! Here goes: I have a parasol which I love. I use it every day for sun protection and it… [Read More]

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Posted in Community, Identity, LIfe, Mind, Relationships Tags: ANZACs, Downton Abbey, hands, independence, parasol, sun protection, The Sound Od Music, treasure possessions, waitress

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Buy Now on Amazon!

  • The Mother Teresa Effect: What I learned volunteering for a saint
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  • Two Eggs, Two Kids
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  • Savvy Girl's Guide to Grace
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  • Savvy Bride's Guide, Part I : Simple Ways to a Stylish & Graceful Wedding
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  • Savvy Bride's Guide, Part II : Your Wedding Checklist
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National Indie Excellence Awards (NIEA) Winner

  • San Francisco Book Festival Winner 2015
  • 2015 Paris Book Festival Winner
  • Gold Honoree, 2014 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards, Self Help
  • Winner, 2013 New York Book Festival: Best New How-To/Self Help
  • 2013 Living Now Awards - GOLD MEDAL WINNER
  • 2013 Southern California Book Festival - WINNER

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