While strolling through the park, you pause to sit on a bench and watch the scene around you. A family playing with their dog­, a couple sharing a romantic moment, a group of friends tossing a Frisbee—everyone seems so joyful and put together. But you don’t feel this… Read More

Sometimes, when I’m overwhelmed with stress, I feel like I’m sailing through a storm. As waves crash onto my boat, I frantically try to bail the water. But all too quickly, the water rises to an unmanageable level—and I’m barely able to keep up. These waves come in numerous forms:… Read More

Growing up, one of my biggest heroes was Charlie Brown. Yes, Good Ol’ Charlie Brown—Charles M. Schulz’s classic “Peanuts” character. As a kid, I owned a book of “Peanuts” cartoons called, “My Anxieties Have Anxieties.” The title comes from the punch line of a classic strip. With a… Read More

Anxiety has a way of lingering in the background of everyday life. Sometimes it feels overbearing. Other times it feels manageable. But whenever it’s there, it prevents us from feeling confident, rested and at peace. If you’re anything like me, this process can feel draining. I often expend so much… Read More

Recently, a Miss America contestant was asked, “What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?” She responded, “There will always be someone prettier than you, smarter than you and more talented than you. Make sure you’re not standing next to her on the stage.” The audience erupted in applause… Read More

I crave peace. And when I say I crave it, I mean I really crave it. I desperately try to control everything in my life and make peace happen. I look for ways to pare down my commitments, check tasks off my to-do lists and wrangle my emotions. I scrape… Read More

Fear felt like my only option. The medical tests I had taken weeks before held the answers to my future—and I felt so fragile, like I could shatter into a million pieces. My eyes kept filling up with tears every time I thought about the results. Would the… Read More

I have a friend who once lived to work. He longed to stand out from his peers, using weeknights and weekends to learn, grow and advance in his role. This “nose-to-the-grindstone” approach paid off for years, as he rapidly climbed the corporate ladder. By early adulthood, he had achieved almost… Read More

The 1946 movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life” tells the story of a small-town dreamer named George Bailey. In his younger years, George is full of big goals and lofty ambitions. He is known throughout his town of Bedford Falls as a man who wants to experience every good thing… Read More

I’ve always gotten a kick out of the “Dilbert” comic strip. Cynical and indifferent about life, Dilbert, a middle-aged engineer, navigates everyday mishaps in his office—often stemming from interactions with his micromanaging boss. As I follow Dilbert through each scenario, I can’t help but laugh. And sometimes, I… Read More