The anticipation of the Beijing Olympics was palpable -and the spectacular opening ceremonies, at the impressive Bird's Nest, proved it was well worth the wait. Yet the ideals of the summer games are also well represented behind the scenes:

Would you like to spend less time racking up emotional debt and more time receiving dividends from your 'feeling better' bank account? If you're ready to learn how to keep your stress in check, use the following tips and restore balance to your life.

There have been non-stop tributes to Tim Russert, from erudite political friends to strangers traveling long distances to pay their respects. Read the following ideas and think about what you can learn from his legacy and apply to your life.

Your thoughts are mental products although they don't necessarily reflect an absolute reality. However, for you, they do represent how you feel. Some people can't help but wear their hearts on their sleeves. Others are more able to manage their emotions and function as if everything is fine.

On a daily basis, you are bombarded by a variety of tasks involving aging parents and growing children. In addition, you're balancing a myriad of responsibilities at home with those that confront you at work. Just thinking about your hectic lifestyle can stop you in your tracks.

We can say without a doubt that intimate friendships have always been important to women. But have you noticed that they've become even more so as you face the transitions of children growing up and parents growing older? In fact, friendship is one of the keys to a long and more satisfying life.

The soaring rhetoric from presidential candidates has been about the concept of change - and the electorate is energized by the buzzword. But our concern here about being agents of change is more personal and aimed at you, members of the Sandwich Generation.

If you happen to be a Sandwiched Boomer, the following quietly growing trend may surprise you. The results of recent studies indicate that nearly 40% of close to 44 million unpaid caregivers for the elderly are male. The call to honor loved ones is becoming an emerging pattern of male behavior.

Americans are busy spending well over $26 billion on gift cards this holiday season. And, just when you thought you'd heard it all, here comes the idea of a medical gift card. With the holidays literally right around the corner and your stress level high, it may be exactly what the doctor ordered.

Oprahbama, the big O's, Oprah and the Obamas - sounds like a rock band on a road trip. As Oprah hit the campaign trail, her candidate played the celebrity card and the female fan base responded. When you need it, the value of support cannot be overestimated.

Although present day Halloween activities revolve around trick-or-treating and costume parties, historically masks were worn to placate the evil spirits. You may not be frightened by pumpkins carved into eerie faces nor believe in witches and goblins. But when is the last time you thought seriously about the "ghosts" that have been haunting you far too long?

In any media frenzy, Britney Spears is at the top of the list when it comes to celebrities and controversy. Should we draw the line on America's addiction to B-list bad girls when the best interests of their children are at stake? And if she continues to act irresponsibly, should her parents, likely members of the Sandwich Generation, step in to help out?

It's often said that you don't experience perfect love until the birth of your first grandchild. Here are suggestions, for boomer grandparents,about how to make the most of this unparalleled opportunity.

As a Baby Boomer, are you in agreement with the results of an AARP position paper - that the definition of work in retirement will be uniquely yours? Whether you're beginning to play with the idea of retirement or the gold watch presentation is just around the corner, here are some helpful tips for you.

As your kidults begin to pack up for college, does the thought of creating a more grown-up nest sound good? Can you visualize more simplicity and less chaos? Think about what it would be like to clean out the drawers, give away the memorabilia your kids don't want, get rid of all the stuff they're outgrown and make your home yours again.

Are you tired of the celebrity driven circus revolving around Paris Hilton? Does the hotel heiress deserve to be behind bars for her flagrant disregard for the law? As a popular media figure, should she be responsible to set an example for the impressionable teenagers who emulate her?

Have you bought into the commercialism of Father's Day, thinking fancy ties and expensive tools would bring you closer - only to find that you still want better communication with your Dad? Are you not satisfied with just the occasional email from your brother or text message from your son? If you're ready for more direct and open conversations with the men in your life, begin with your partner.

Shock jock Don Imus crossed the line when he called the women of the Rutgers basketball team "nappy headed hos." His remark stirred up feelings of outrage, vulnerability and anger. What happens in the media is not that different from what transpires between couples when emotionally charged discussions get completely out of hand.

This Valentines Day, are you shopping for the language of love that is bound to communicate the intensity of your feelings? Use the following five tips to help you improve the quality of your relationship.

This holiday season, how would you like to spend less time racking up credit card debt and more time putting heart into your relationships? Use the following tips to help you give the gift of connection to your family.