View this post on Instagram A post shared by Soaringwords (@soaringwords) Gratitude is a choice. Often easy to overlook and forget, yet so simple to experience when you remember to do a quick reframe to look at any imaginable situation through the lens of gratitude. People who are more grateful tend to be … Read more
Are you showing up for a conversation or a confrontation? These words from my dear friend Greg stopped me in my tracks. Civility is the ability to recognize divergent viewpoints without entirely discounting the person who holds a different view from yourself. Well, today civility is clearly in short supply. When having a disagreement or … Read more
Severe depression, anxiety, and isolation are not favorite conversation topics. The growing global mental health crisis means that we can no longer ignore this trend that is impacting millions of individuals and families around the world. This growing problem is truly a matter of life and death. November 19 is International Survivors of Suicide Loss … Read more
Sometimes our scars are invisible as we carry the trauma from childhood bullying throughout our lives. The following story is an excerpt from my debut memoir SOARING into Strength: Love Transcends Pain which shows how my brother’s illness and the subsequent bullying he faced for many years impacted the entire family constellation. Childhood asthma … Read more
It was visiting day at my oldest son’s sports camp when I saw a couple standing off to the side looking somewhat displaced from the rest of the crowd of parents. All of the parents were wearing shorts and t-shirts—casual weekend clothing. However, this couple was dressed in business formal attire. Always keen on making … Read more
Over the past 22 years, I’ve had the privilege of supporting and coaching thousands of people who are grappling with serious illness, trauma, and setbacks. As an empathic imagery healer, I have found imagery to be a wonderful immediate way to bring confidence, calm, resilience, and agency to people when they are experiencing significant challenges. … Read more
When my younger brother died suddenly from an asthma-induced heart attack, I got the call at 4 a.m. in the morning—setting off a trifecta of trauma in my family. Five weeks later, my father had his second bout with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and, 10 months later, my son became catastrophically ill with rheumatic fever. Thankfully, both … Read more
As the holiday season approaches, it’s easy to become so consumed by our to-do lists (on top of to-do lists) that we let our own well-being fall to the wayside. The holidays are supposed to be enjoyable, right? It often doesn’t feel that way. We talk about self-care and we see aesthetically pleasing, picture-perfect versions … Read more
In honor of National Stress Awareness Day, here are some beneficial insights to help you gain greater awareness, acceptance, and efficacy in order to reduce stress’s hold on depleting your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Just like an emergency vehicle barreling through traffic with piercing sirens and flashing lights, acute stress activates our sympathetic response … Read more
Whimsical pumpkin or salty pirate? Unicorn or your favorite Harry Potter character? Almost everyone has a favorite Halloween memory. According to the National Retail Federation’s annual Halloween consumer survey, this ancient, pagan ritual has morphed into a $10.6 billion dollar business—much to the delight of candy manufacturers and pop-up stores hawking costumes based on … Read more