Exploring one of life's most valuable gifts
Last weekend Sara wrote about how practicing gratitude positively impacts our well-being. The recent Thanksgiving holiday served as an opportunity to notice the good, and it helps ground us in appreciation. But gratitude doesn’t have to stop at reflection; it can also be a good motivation for action. Reflecting on the many things we are... Continue Reading →
With Thanksgiving coming up this week, I am thinking about gratitude and how important it is to our mental and physical well-being. Julia's post about World Gratitude Day in September referenced an article published by Harvard Medical School discussing how practicing gratitude not only improves our mood but it also can extend our lives. Some... Continue Reading →
Breast cancer risk was a major topic of discussion at my annual appointment with my gynecologist earlier this year, and she recommended that I see a specialist. That sounded like overkill to me, because I keep up with my routine mammograms and breast exams, which have been healthy in the past. But a few months... Continue Reading →
Earlier this week as I walked out of my local Starbucks with my mobile order, I made eye contact with a driver pulling out of her parking space. We immediately smiled and waved, recognizing each other as colleagues from the two years I spent working for Northwestern University more than seven years ago. That moment... 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 →
My son Hank is having the bittersweet experience of acclimating back to life at home after I picked him up on his last day of summer camp earlier this week. As the youngest in our family, all three kids have now officially aged out of camp, and we have mixed feelings about that. For those... 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 →
Greetings from East Tennessee! I’m here with my husband relaxing, taking in the views and vistas of the Great Smokey Mountains. I hadn’t been here since I was a kid, but the mountains are every bit as spectacular as I remember. As you know from her post last week, Julia enjoyed her annual visit to... Continue Reading →
Spending time in nature can be refreshing, and research shows it's essential to our well-being. Beyond emotional relief, nature plays a powerful role in stress reduction and often improves overall mood. When life feels overwhelming, retreating to an outdoor space can provide refuge and a sense of connection. The Mayo Clinic Press reported last spring... Continue Reading →
It’s been over sixty years since February first became American Heart Month and since then it's become celebrated around the world. With cardiovascular diseases responsible for one in five deaths in the United States according to the CDC, creating heart healthy habits throughout our lifetimes is important. Like many things, being heart healthy can be... Continue Reading →
Language of Friendship 