When my ex-wife and I separated in 1999 and divorced two years later, I never imagined that we would one day spend a week together as friends. Over the past quarter century, our lives had rarely crossed, except on the day our divorce was finalized and at our daughter’s wedding in 2012. Yet here we were, sitting across from…
“The most powerful thing you can do right now is be patient while things are unfolding for you.” ~Idil Ahmed When one door closes, another one opens, or so the saying goes. From experience, I know that the new door doesn’t always open right away. Often you spend some time in the hallway, the state in between what has…
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” ~Maya Angelou What if the person you’re trying hardest to please is you? For years, I wore a mask—a professional, composed, always-on version of myself that I thought everyone expected. My need to please and perform was deeply…
Do I need to forgive my abusive mother to let go of the past? This is the question I found myself grappling with when I started to recover from the pain of childhood neglect. For most of my childhood, I did not have access to a consistent adult who valued me. As a result, I believed that I had…
“Living with chronic illness isn’t a life half-lived; it’s an opportunity to redefine what it means to be truly alive, resilient, and whole.” ~Christopher Reynolds I have spent the past eleven years of my life in chronic pain. While this journey has been long, excruciatingly difficult, and deeply lonely, I am beginning to come to peace with my body. After…
Let’s be honest: Mornings are tough. In fact, mornings are the time when our cortisol levels are at their highest. It’s no wonder so many people experience morning anxiety and stress. So, maybe you’re in need of a bit of morning inspiration, something to help you get your day off on the right foot and The post 8…
You know that thing you’ve been struggling with? That goal you’ve been chasing but can’t seem to reach? That dream that feels just out of grasp? Here’s the hard truth: you are your problem. Now, before you get defensive, hear me out. It’s not your circumstances. It’s not other people. It’s not bad luck or an unfair world. The…
When we’re in the midst of difficult times, we desperately want life to be different. We wish to be anywhere but here. When we try to change our circumstances or force things to happen a certain way, it’s normal to experience a great deal of frustration. We don’t have control over external factors – but The post Starting…
Every year, approximately 10 million Americans experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), with another 10-20% suffering from a milder form known as the “winter blues.” For these individuals, the shorter, darker days of fall and winter trigger a profound shift in mood and energy that can significantly impact daily life—and even have cascading adverse effects on The post Do…
Picture this: It’s 5:00 AM. The world is still, the air crisp. You roll out of bed, stretch, and sip on a hot cup of tea while journaling your deepest thoughts. By 8:00 AM, you’ve meditated, worked out, planned your day, and maybe even solved all the world’s problems. Sounds magical, right? This is the The post The…
