When I think of death, I’m filled with a permeating fear that, like birth, death is something I have to process through and experience alone; it is something that I can’t turn back from–and that is terrifying. With birth, we are struck with amnesia or…
Take A Chance: Reconnect With Old Friends A Familiar Name Appeared in My LinkedIn Inbox When I saw the message on LinkedIn, my heart filled with joy. It was from a good friend who I’d lost touch with. Sometimes, we’re not even sure how it…
Dance Like Nobody’s Watching I love Van Morrison’s album “Moondance”. After a long day at work, I’ll pour myself a glass of wine and sway to the soothing rhythm as I cook dinner. I’ve never considered myself to be a skilled dancer. In fact, I…
Childhood Resilience and Suppression Throughout my career in education, I’ve seen a lot of children who have suffered through unimaginable circumstances. Lately, it seems the amount of kids who have endured significant trauma is on the rise. These children face issues like domestic abuse, sexual…
What Is Happiness? “What do you wish for most?” “Happiness.” “What does happiness look like?” “I want to wake up with a smile on my face and share my life with the people I love.” This short conversation with a friend led me to wonder,…
When a friend or loved one lets us know they are seeking treatment for a broken bone, heart disease, or cancer, most of us would rush to provide encouragement and support. Sadly, when those same loved ones share that they are experiencing challenges with their…
Relaxation Breathing Can Help You Find Calm in the Midst of the Storm How often do you really pay attention to your breath? If you did, you might be surprised at the story it tells you. Sometimes I catch myself holding my breath when I’m…
We can’t change our genes, but we can alter our environment. The Harvard Study of Adult Development, a longitudinal study conducted over the course of 80 years, reveals powerful insights into living a happy and healthy life. The study followed 268 college sophomores beginning in…
How many hugs do you need in a day? At least 10 – that’s the number of hugs I get from students on any given day. I consider myself fortunate. Many people never get to regularly experience the reassuring and comforting embrace of another human…
When I was younger, I rarely took time for myself. If I did, I’d be trampled by feelings of guilt, self-indulgence, laziness, and shame. Who wants to deal with those four horsemen? Self care was a foreign concept; I was more into martyrdom. I wanted…
