Resilient by Design
We are born fragile and resilient, biologically designed to heal when broken. Our bodies know what we need to mend—it’s instinctive. A touching example of this is Kyrie and Brielle.…
Resilient Mindset
Resiliency is the capacity of a substance “to spring back into shape after bending, stretching, or being compressed.” Though devastating circumstances or upsetting world events might leave us feeling flattened…
Gratitude as an Antidote to Craving
The season of indulgence has begun. If you received trick-or-treaters at your home, then you may still have leftover candy tempting you. Thanksgiving offers a delicious feast, served up with…
Post-Traumatic Growth
After serving for decades as a trauma therapist, I confess that many platitudes about tragedy irk me. I don’t believe the declaration that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.…
Practice Self-Compassion
Imagine that a dear friend calls you in distress. How would you respond? What would you say? What would your tone of voice sound like? Now, consider how you talk…
Finding Everyday Awe
When a book title promises to change my life, I’m always skeptical. But that’s exactly what happened after I read psychologist Dacher Keltner’s Awe: The New Science of Wonder and…
The Paradox of Aging: the Happiness U-Curve
When imagining aging, most middle-aged people look ahead with trepidation. But take heart: the best is likely yet to come! Satisfaction surveys have found that happiness increases after middle age,…
Resilient Narrative: What story do you tell yourself?
Whether or not you’re aware of it, you have an internal narrative that drives how you approach your life. It creates your mindset and thus impacts your thoughts, feelings and…
Welcome Disruption
Disruptive experiences create opportunities for growth and learning. When we are young, our minds are stretched and challenged at school. But as we get older, it’s easy to settle into…
Pointing to Purpose
Clarity of purpose makes life fulfilling and a growing body of research shows that people with a strong sense of direction are healthier and live longer. This is encouraging news…