“If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.” –Rabbi Harold Kushner Dr. Robert Emmons is a psychology professor at the University of California, a leading scientific expert on gratitude, and gratitude myth buster. He … Read more
People are stronger than they imagine. These days, throughout the world, everyone is trying to do the best they can. My mentor and colleague Dr. Angela Duckworth—considered the leading expert in the world on grit—defines resilience as “passion and perseverance for long-term goals that are difficult.” What do you do to persevere when things are … Read more
According to the latest research, feeling appreciated at work has little to do with giving out mugs with the hospital logo for nurse appreciation week, random pizza parties, or a cupcake with a candle to celebrate work anniversaries. In the recently published Mayo Clinic 2022-2023 State of Well-being Report, 51 percent of health care employees … Read more
A few years ago, a friend of mine explained the concept of humility in an entirely new way to me. She shared the following joke to illustrate the concept of minimizing our ego and sense of all-knowingness: Q: “What’s the difference between God and me?” A: “God doesn’t think he’s me!” Through 12-step recovery programs, … Read more
“It always seems impossible until it’s done” is the bold message on the felt banner hanging on the wall right in front of my desk. When I discovered the banner in the gift shop at the Whitney Museum of Art, I knew I had to have it in my office. The can-do, hopeful, action-oriented sentiment … Read more
Every two weeks, I pop into the neighborhood green grocer and buy two dozen long-stem roses for $20. It reminds me of the quotation by activist Emma Goldman who advocated for many social causes and women’s rights: “I’d rather have flowers on my table than diamonds around my neck.” This ritual of purchasing roses gives … Read more
As a tweenager I remember spending hours happily bouncing up and down on my pogo stick on the sidewalk in front of my home. Today my workout routine looks more like swimming in the pool at my local gym. While doing laps this morning, a repetitive activity that simultaneously energizes and soothes me, I envisioned … Read more
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Soaringwords (@soaringwords) Are you a character assassin or a character defender? Do you spend your time obsessing about your character defects until you pulverize your sense of self worth into a pulp? If you are highly skilled at being self-critical, today I am happy … Read more
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Soaringwords (@soaringwords) Molecular Biologist Elizabeth Blackburn was studying pond scum when she stumbled across an incredible discovery about human psychology that has a far-reaching impact well beyond the petri dishes in her laboratory. As she peered through her microscope at the pond scum samples, … Read more
All of us have experienced moments of loneliness and isolation. And the reason why loneliness is so painful is because of its twin emotion: shame. People feel a sense of shame surrounding loneliness because they think it’s a sign that they’re unlovable, weak, or inadequate in some way. However, shame actually stands for “SHOULD HAVE … Read more