Because I write about health, beauty, nutrition and fitness, I'm privy to many expert opinions and products. Sometimes I'll try a product once and never use it again. Other times I'm amazed to have found something I never knew about--and delighted when I love it and grant it a permanent place on my shelf.

A surprising off-shoot of this is how often someone--be it a friend, acquaintance or stranger--will ask me what I use, what I like, what I think about this or that. It happens a lot.

I tell them what I think, and then they'll buy it--or not.


I feel a lot of pressure, going on and on about something I love, because, after all, isn't the satisfaction all in the eye of the beholder/user? What one person loves another might loathe.

But then I get an email that makes me smile and feel like my advice does count for something. Maybe that feeling of gratification is why I originally thought I'd be a psychologist. But being a writer will do just fine. I can still dole out advice and make people happy. At least some of the people, some of the time.