“Grape or Fruit punch? Chocolate or vanilla? Pizza or McDonalds?” These were some of my favorite “this or that” questions to answer as a kid. And I still love any question about food! Today, if someone asked me “Star Trek or Star Wars”… it would be a tough answer, but I usually have to pick … Read more
As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, many of us find ourselves retreating indoors and facing the unique challenges that winter brings. Self-care, often described as the practice of taking deliberate actions to maintain and improve one’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being, becomes especially important during this season. For some, winter can trigger … Read more
Have you ever paused to feel thankful for something in your life, only to wonder whether what you’re feeling is gratitude or simply appreciation? Many of us use the two words interchangeably, yet their meanings and emotional depth can differ in subtle but important ways. I remember once feeling a rush of gratitude after a … Read more
I have a dear friend named Gemma, and over the years, I have gotten to know her pretty well (or at least I’d like to think so). Some days she is enthusiastic, driven, and lives life to the fullest. On other days she doesn’t answer texts and cancels our planned coffee dates. Sometimes I worry … Read more
Humans are social beings, or so we’ve come to learn. Yet, psychologist Carl Jung found a way to figure out why one group of people has a tendency to be more social than others. The less socially-inclined group is called introverts, while those who are more outgoing are called extroverts. According to VeryWellMind, introverts make up an estimated 25% to 40% of … Read more
We are drawn to people who smile.  When someone looks sad, angry, or upset, we avoid them like the plague. When they smile, it allows us to let our guard down a little. As kids, we used a smile to gauge whether it was safe to approach our parents about going outside to play or … Read more
When you get ready to study, do you ever wonder where to begin? Maybe you feel overwhelmed with the knowledge of an upcoming test. The thought of preparing for the exam makes you anxious and stressed out. I think you’ll agree with me when I say that stressing over an upcoming test hinders your ability … Read more
Our siblings are some of the most complicated people to deal with in our lives. Sibling rivalries started as kids over pretty trivial stuff… like when we started to fight over our teddy bears, who sat in the front seat on car rides, deciding what shows to watch on TV and who was better at … Read more
Whether you are a parent looking to foster a greater sense of gratitude in your children, or and educator looking to teach gratitude in the classroom… there are tons of gratitude journal prompts for kids that can help get those appreciative juices flowing. Having something that is meaningful to write about, rather than standard prompts, … Read more
Humility doesn’t get much attention these days, does it? Everyone seems to be talking about their achievements, or screaming about the failures of others, but few people act humbly in our modern world. Yet, this quiet little virtue of humility can work wonders on both your mindset and your relationships. Practicing humility regularly can boost your … Read more