Exploring one of life's most valuable gifts
Today--Sunday, September 21--marks World Gratitude Day. Formally recognized by the United Nations in 1967 and credited to spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy, the day's objective is to create a global movement of thankfulness. Since then, research has demonstrated a correlation between gratitude and lower mortality rates, with the Mayo Clinic reporting “Studies have shown that feeling... Continue Reading →
Every few seconds, someone around the world needs a blood transfusion. It might be due to an accident, during surgery, or even as part of cancer treatment. While medical innovations have led to everything from artificial limbs to devices that keep the human heart running, there’s still no true substitute for human blood. The first... Continue Reading →
Not all friendships are meant to be, and walking away can sometimes be in our best interest. You may be surprised to read that statement in this blog that champions friendship, but it's true. When a friend becomes a harmful or negative presence in our lives, we may have to prioritize our own well-being and... Continue Reading →
Since last spring I’ve been helping my 18-year-old son navigate the college admissions journey. In many ways, I’m better equipped than most parents since I’ve worked for and with universities, so I know a lot about the vagaries of the admissions process. However, those same qualifications created a bit of hubris in the approach I... Continue Reading →
In the rush of everyday life, interactions with others are often brief, and pass without much notice. Or the people around us become a source of frustration, causing us to think, “Why can’t they drive faster so I could have made that light?” or “Why is that person in front of me in the express... Continue Reading →
As I scrolled through social media recently, I found myself feeling shocked and angered by a friend's post that I perceived as deeply insensitive. She is not a friend I see every day and my first reaction was to stop following her. But then I took a deep breath and considered how well-intentioned this friend... Continue Reading →
In honor of February's Black History Month observance, Language of Friendship has compiled several quotes from black leaders and artists who inspire us. We hope you'll add to the collection in the comments below! My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together. --Desmond Tutu If you find it in... Continue Reading →
No matter which candidate you voted for this week, chances are you had strong feelings about the election. Our politics have become so divisive in recent years that losing friends and cutting ties with family members has become relatively commonplace. At a time when many people are already suffering from social isolation, losing or damaging... Continue Reading →
Most people crave the feeling of belonging. A desire to create community and coalesce around a shared purpose is what has led to the lasting success of many community, university, and social organizations. Growing up, we find community in the classroom, experience shared victories on sports teams, and discover common interests in clubs. Then we... Continue Reading →
In our daily lives, we often interact with people in a service capacity – baristas, hair stylists, receptionists, or therapists – to name a few. We might not think much of these interactions at the start, but over time they can blossom into meaningful relationships. Friendly interactions with those in service roles are loose connections... Continue Reading →
Language of Friendship 