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Hi Gayla. I'm a GMA finalist for advice guru and I think you're terrific. Happy New Year. You're great to do this blog. Well done! Warmest, Alan Fleischmann

Thank you so much for saying so, Alan! Perhaps I can pick your brain as well! =D

Ask me anything

Meet Annie Zirkel!

Meet Annie Zirkel!  I've only talked to her a few times online, but one thing about her that becomes glaringly apparent about Annie is that the views of others are important to her. With that, I don't mean that she measures herself by what others think, but rather that she is aware that there are multiple ways of handling many situations, and the ideas and methods of others are just as important to her as her own.

Annie Zirkel

Annie has expressed more excitement about the people she's met during this competition than whether or not she gets the position. She has a gift for appreciating the little things in life. Life doesn't just happen while she makes plans, she appreciates all of the nuances along the way.

She isn't a guru in the “know all, be all” sense, but in that she is willing and able to get the multiple options to any question. I think that if Annie had her way about it, there would be multiple advisers for the position of guru just so that viewers/readers are able to get various perspectives, to get all of the best possible answers.

Annie is a very warm, generous, energetic, and positive person. These attributes come through in everything she writes, and I for one hope that her prospects with Good Morning America are better than she thinks.

Click here if you would like to check out her website, and click here if you'd like to read and rate some of her answers for Good Morning America.

Meet Deborah "Dr. Deb" Rouse-Raines!



Our first advice guru interview is with Deborah “Dr Deb” Rouse-Raines. I'll admit somewhat of a bias because I've had a chance to really get to know Deb. She contacted me after I posted my first blog, and we've been emailing ever since.



Used with permission by Deb



A warm, friendly, funny woman, Deb instantly makes you feel like she's the kind of friend you could turn to in your time of need. You feel as if you could cry on her shoulder easily and get comfort, and that's just from talking to her through emails.



Deb never comes across as a “know-it-all”. She has great insights, but she's not afraid ask for advice, or offended at finding out she's wrong about something. In my opinion, that makes her wonderful person, but also an exceptional doctor. The medical world truly lost an exceptional asset to their field when Deb was forced to close her practice.



So let me introduce you to Dr. Deb as she answers questions about herself, in her own words, free of word limits.

What I Learned About Christmas

Christmas has always been a special time of year for many. And not always for the same reasons. For some it's a religious time, for others it is a time to bring families together, and others a time for having celebrations with friends that they've missed.


Image borrowed from 
christmastreedecorationss.blogspot.com





For me, it has become a time of longing. Being reminded of loved ones lost, whether in death or simply drifting apart, lost none the less. This year my mother is gone, yet in exchange I have gained nieces and siblings that I haven't heard from in years. Even though I think my mother would have liked to have had the opportunity to reconnect with them, I can't help but feel grateful that at least I have them back.

The children I adored now have children of their own. Children I hope to connect with, I hope to give cause to remember me when I'm gone. And while looking at my over-burdened Christmas tree, I think I've found a small way to give them a reminder of me, and perhaps get reminders from them.



My tree is full; there are ornaments on every limb. There are some Hummels and Disneys that I collected many years ago in order to have something of value to pass down to my own children one day, but those don't seem as precious anymore. The ones that strike me as important are the home-made ones. There are ornaments that my mother made, ornaments that my children made, and a few that I myself have made. I point at the little painted wooden puppy and tell my children that Granny made that when I was 4. There's the painted snowman that Aunt Shana made. Or the cross stitch ornaments that I got back after my grandmother died, the one I made for her.

My tree carries heritage. So many ornaments on it have a special meaning, or came from a special person. There are so many special people that aren't represented on the tree, but I can fix that. I can make ornaments in their honor. Whether I use photos or mementos to make the ornaments, I can create ornaments to commemorate my mother, my father, my grandmothers, my grandfathers, even my aunts, uncles, and cousins.



But is it necessary to commemorate those still here? Perhaps not. Perhaps I can suggest a new family tradition. An exchanging of ornaments instead of gifts. Whether they are purchased or home made, we can always look at them and say, "this person gave that to me." And these ornaments can be passed down to my children, along with the stories of the people who gave them.

I find my tree pretty satisfying right now. Every limb is full. And I know that it is nearly time for my children to start venturing out into the world on their own because I have ornaments to pass down without my tree turning sparse. So I can pass on memories to my children soon, without losing any on my own tree.

To me, Christmas is about family; past, present, and future. And if I can connect my children to their ancestors, even those still living, then all of the fuss and hub-bub of the commercialized season is worth the trouble.

Happy HannaKwanzaRamaMas!

Merry Christmas

There, I said it. But that doesn't mean I'm pushing Christmas off on you. I want to hear people say whatever suites them, not just what is politically correct to say. If you celebrate Chanukah, say “Happy Chanukah!”. Say, “Happy Kwanzaa!” “Feliz Virgen de Guadalupe!”

I'm tired of the political correctness of the holidays, I'm tired of people being offended when you address them with the wrong holiday. If somebody wishes me a “Happy Chanukah,” I take it to mean “I'm having a good day and I hope you have one too.” I hope that when I say “Happy Snow Day!” People get the same intent.

Also, I like the mix-'em-up greetings. “Merry HannaKwanzaMas!” I realize there may be some that find this demeaning to their individual belief system, but I don't see it that way. I see it as an effort to include any and all beliefs into a single greeting.

I would also like to say something on behalf of my atheistic friends.  Celebrating this time of year isn't strictly for those with faith.  Millions of atheists and agnostics do as well, in their own ways.  This is the time of year to reconnect with friends and family, to remind others that you care about them.  Atheists have friends, family, and joy in their hearts. 

My holiday is a hodge podge of beliefs. Like the ancient Druids, I bring in evergreens like a tree, mistletoe, and holly. We light it like the ancient Germans. My tree is decorated with stars, pictures of loved ones, ornaments made by friends and family, angels, and special mementos of all shapes and sizes. We light candles and tell the children stories of hope, love, and history.

Christmas became a huge holiday in America because of good, old fashioned commercialism, but we each make the holiday, the time of year, our own special event. We give the season the special magic that makes it important. So whether you're celebrating Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Christmas or whatever, doing so with people that are important to you is what makes the season what it is.

So if you're a Christian and somebody wishes you a “Happy Kwanzaa!”, smile big and offer them a “Merry Christmas!” Share the warm feelings and well wishes no matter how they come.

Deborah "Dr. Deb" Rouse-Raines ~ Our First Advice Guru Interview

Meet Dr. Deb!  Deb was the first finalist for the Advice Guru position on Good Morning America to give me an interview.  Deb currently has a position as medical contributor on FOX 19 News out of Cincinnati Ohio where she gives medical advice to viewers on a weekly basis.

Deb had a thriving practice as a gynecologist and obstetrician (OB/GYN) until her malpractice insurance company increased her insurance premiums to the point where they cost more than her office was bringing in. When faced with unexpected unemployment, Deb created a new outlet for her medical training, she created her “Dr. Deb” website and started offering her service and experience as a public speaker and news contributor. Click here for a video link to her segment for FOX 19.   My interview with Dr. Deb will be coming soon!

***Add comments and Facebook "Likes" to help your fav guru.  Their ABC profiles will be expanded soon.  Click here if you would like to show support to Deb.***

Are You an Advice Guru?

I was very annoyed when Good Morning America announced their 20 finalists and I saw a majority of them with some type of PhD or other work experience that would put them over the top as picks for their advice guru. Then something changed. I got to know some of them.

Talking to some of the finalists through email I've come to realize many of them are just as “every day” as those of us that have gained our advice-giving experience simply through being trusted by those around us. They've had their trials and tribulations, they've gone through their tough times. And face it, in this economy degrees and previous experience don't guarantee that they're living high off of the hog and looking to live higher. Some are just as concerned about simply finding a steady pay check as I am.

So I've decided I want to help advice gurus, the finalists and those that were rejected by ABC, to be known better. Share their human, every day, average Joe sides. Even if you never submitted an entry but you'd like to let people know you're out there to help, I'll help show the world what a great person you are! The part of the person that gets missed in the mess.

I'll run an interview/bio spot for anybody interested in sharing, including a link to that person's blog, website, or other contact information. All you need to do is contact me. I won't hassle anybody that doesn't want featured, but I will help promote anybody that does.

So to all of the advice gurus out there, established or just starting out, send me an email and let's introduce you to the world! gayla.tanner@gmail.com