The upside of failure
If there’s one thing certain about life, it’s that life is always uncertain. While you may experience days filled with joy, hope and anticipation, you may also face many others with sadness, hardship, worry and failure. I spend a lot of time talking with people about failure, in all of its many forms. And although […]
Finding friendship in adulthood
Have you ever watched two children form a friendship? It’s effortless, innocent and sweet. Kids have an uncanny ability to walk up to a stranger on the playground, introduce themselves and instantly become friends – without even knowing each other’s name. Finding friendship in adulthood is a bit more challenging, but it doesn’t need to […]
Suicide: What to know and how to help
Suicide has been in the news a lot lately. From well-known celebrities to innocent middle school students, the suicide epidemic is widespread and knows no boundaries. It touches people from all walks of life and does not discriminate based on age, race, class, or education level. And while a negative stigma often accompanies any news […]
5 Things to Keep in Mind When You’re Coping with Loss
In the wake of this past week’s headlines announcing the deaths of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade, two individuals who were loved and admired by many, I’ve been reflecting on the subject of loss – in all its many forms. From the death of a loved one, to a breakup, a layoff at work, or […]
The Truth About Loneliness
I spend a great deal of time talking with people about unhappiness. And in many cases, loneliness is the culprit. At our core, we are wired to be in relationship and community with others, and when we’re not, we naturally feel sad and alone. In America, a society obsessed with happiness, loneliness has become somewhat […]
Normal Fighting or Sibling Bullying – Do You Know the Difference?
If you grew up with brothers and sisters, you’re likely all too familiar with sibling rivalry. From a young age, many siblings bicker, fight and compete over everything from toys to their parent’s attention. While much of it is characterized as normal behavior, sibling rivalry can cross the line. Thanks to the vast amount of […]
5 Tips for Managing Your Anger
Last spring I wrote a blog post about road rage. Somewhat surprisingly, it turned out to be one of my most popular posts—at least based on the number of comments and responses I received. It seems just about everyone can relate to the frustration of being cut off in rush hour traffic. That raises two […]
5 Unexpected Benefits of Helping Others
Looking for ways to boost your mood, lower your stress and lengthen your life? Consider volunteering. In addition to the good you’ll impart on others, research consistently shows a link between altruism and good health. And since April is National Volunteer Month, it’s a great time to start. In the meantime, here’s a closer look […]
Pulling the Plug on Stress
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes…including you.” – Anne Lamott In my line of work, I talk a lot about stress. Especially in America, where we are driven to be bigger, better, stronger and faster, stress is often seen as a badge of honor. Unfortunately, too much stress […]
Look on the Bright Side: Ways to Stop Ruminating
Ruminate: From the Latin root word ruminant – to chew the cud. Do negative thoughts sometimes feel like a broken record in your mind? If so, you’re probably ruminating. Ruminating, or repeatedly obsessing over a problem without resolution, is a harmful habit that is often associated with depression, anxiety and feelings of hopelessness. While ruminating […]
