Blog
No Mud, No Lotus: A Tribute to Thich Nhat Hanh
With aching feet, I continued my steep climb up one of Guilin’s many peaks along the Li River. I didn’t set out that morning from my dorm to climb a mountain, but I suppose the mountain decided that today was the day we would meet.
Mental Wellness & Peace of Mind During the Holidays
The holiday season during this time of the year can bring moments of joy and celebration whether you are celebrating Christmas, Khushyali, Chanukah, Diwali, Yule, Kwanzaa, New Year’s, being alive, or anything else. However, it can also be a time of stress and grief where gatherings may be extra challenging due to the pandemic.
The Seasons of Life: Growing and Letting Go
As we feel the air get colder and watch the leaves change colors and eventually fall to the earth, we are also moving and cycling through seasons in our own lives. The seasons of our lives don’t necessarily align in real time with the seasons in nature. At the time of this writing, it is autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, and the Southern Hemisphere is experiencing spring. But what season are you experiencing in your life?
Finding and Honoring My Authentic Self
Today, September 19, 2021, is my 50th birthday. Growing up as an immigrant in three countries, I truly appreciated the blessing of a meal and the value of a piece of chocolate which was extremely rare. I watched my parents educate themselves, work hard, make sacrifices, and still find time to regularly volunteer in their community and practice gratitude. Through my father’s vivid story telling, I saw that these core values were passed from generations before. These then molded me and became my experiences, my voice, my core values, my authentic self.
Protect Yourself from Burnout
We all feel overwhelmed from time to time, but during the pandemic we’ve seen a radical increase in burnout. Let’s talk about what burnout is, why it’s happening more frequently, and how we can protect ourselves from it.
It’s OK Not to Be OK: Putting Mental Health First
Simone Biles’ decision to put her mental health first and withdraw from Olympic competition has sparked a crucial conversation. It takes incredible strength and courage to have the entire world watching and expecting you to make a flawless reach for yet another gold medal, but the importance of Simone pressing the pause button in order to take care of her mental health cannot be overstated.
Roadblocks to Fierce Self-Compassion
A foundation of fierce self-compassion allows us to take action in our lives and in the world while holding ourselves in loving kindness. But as much as we see the benefit of having compassion for ourselves, some things may trip us up along the way. So, what are some common roadblocks to fierce self-compassion?
How EMDR Therapy Heals Emotional Distress
June is National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month. It's estimated that seven to eight percent of the world's population will have PTSD at some point in their lives. PTSD Awareness Month is dedicated to raising awareness about the condition, reducing the...
Sleep and our Mental Well-Being
Do you sleep poorly, or struggle to get to sleep? You're not alone. An estimated one-third of the world's population suffers from insomnia. Sleep is critical to our physical and mental health, so it's important to understand how sleep issues affect our well-being and...
The Science of Happiness
For a long time, the field of psychology has focused mainly on providing relief from things that affect us negatively, addressing diagnoses like trauma, depression, and addiction. But a newer branch of psychology, called positive psychology, is interested in what...
