make a difference

heather bjur western | mn body + being: page 38 kathleen wrigley bismarck | just a thought: page 60 kari klingsporn hitterdal fargo | nd food for thought: page 54 deb uglem moorhead | mn oh, by the way: page 80 brooke erstad fargo | nd gettin’ through it: page 44 page 64 miriah sannes hawley | mn what’s on your mind: page 20 sources: goodhousekeeping.com | goredforwomen.org | robertgibb.com

I would change Fargo's weather to be balmy and warm all year round.

It would be that human beings love one another without condition. It would relieve a host of atrocities—hunger, domestic abuse, war, crime, hatred.

I would want everyone to experience real, true love. Not just love for and from another person, but also love for one’s self. I think the world would be better if everyone had the opportunity to live in a place of healthy love.

I would increase the amount of fun. I think people tend to be too serious. It would be great if everyone took time out of their day to have fun and laugh at themselves and with others. Laughter is truly the best medicine and you can find it everywhere—at home, work, or play.

I would add two hours to every day! Some might disagree with me, but it just seems that I am always a bit short on accomplishing everything I want to in a day. Two more hours could help me get my workout in, cook a nice dinner for my family, or simply kick back and relax or take a nap! Juggling work and family is a constant struggle that I think, "If I only had more time, I would feel caught up!"

The beauty pageant contestant in me says, 'World Peace.' The feminist in me says, 'More women in government, especially a female president.' The mother in me says, 'The ability for my child to understand how her actions and words make others feel.' The wife in me says, 'The ability to re-visit my first date with my husband over and over.' The athlete in me says, 'To win the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament once.' The friend in me says, 'The means to visit all of my far-away friends at least once a year.' The daughter in me says, 'To find a big enough way to tell my parents, THANK YOU.' The voice in my head to tell me, every day, that I am awesome just the way I am.

If there is one thing I could possibly change in this world, it would be that we all just love ourselves for who we are. As a mother of three girls, I truly wish this was something we were born with rather than something we need to learn. Also, world peace, no more starvation, stopping global warming....I'm a bit of an idealist.

20,160 minutes will be spent by the average person kissing each year . Pucker up!

50 percent of today’s respiratory conditions are caused by our indoor environments Because we spend 70% of our time indoors, health problems can be directly or indirectly traced to poor indoor-air quality

88 percent of people say their best couple talks happen in the car Pencil in some road time with your honey and open up 1 in 3 American women dies each year of heart disease; yet only 1 in 5 women believes that heat disease is her greatest health threat

Born in Jamaica, LaVerne has lived in and explored countries all around the world The eldest sister to a brother and sister, she was raised in both Canada and England before returning to Jamaica to start college It wasn’t long before LaVerne would make another transitional move to Berrien Springs, Michigan, where she would finish her BA in English and MA in Education at Andrews University In 1996 she would marry David and together they became parents to Simone, now 5 years old Today LaVerne is a reading teacher for adults and would consider herself not much of a hobbyist, but she loves to play racquetball, go camping, and dance nothing beats a saturday like… robust singing and beautiful music at church. a mom must have… wet wipes. coolest city i’ve ever been to… Portland, Oregon. when it comes to style, i admire… people who manage to look stylish in the winter. best song to sing in the shower… Good Mornin’, Good Mornin’ from Singin’ in the Rain i’m so glad i learned to… balance my checkbook each month and stick to a budget. my biggest pet peeve… getting to the cash register and having the attendant ask me if I found what I was looking for. when i feel anxious/stressed, i tell myself… to call a friend who will listen to my drama. if i were a color, i’d be… orange because it is just so bright. my best advice to my younger self… follow a spiritual path that brings you joy. the strangest thing i recently found in my purse… a clementine in the middle zippered section where I almost never go. one thing i hate to run out of… laundry detergent. the best reason to be late… is that I got stopped by the cops for speeding. Tuesdays 4:00-6:30pm a secret talent of mine… packing boxes for friends and family when they move. i often imagine myself… as a dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. the tidiest part of my home… dining room. i think the best way to feel beautiful… is to wear a full flouncy skirt. craziest thing i’ve done because i was sleep deprived… the three things always in my fridge… tofu, feta cheese, and onions. my husband and i always make time for… supper at the table with our daughter or whoever happens to be over.

I haven’t been sleep deprived for a while.