Published by Dr. Andrea Dinardo
Dr. Andrea Dinardo is a positive psychology expert, keynote speaker, and leadership trainer who helps people thrive under pressure and cope with stress. She is a psychology professor at St. Clair College of Applied Arts & Science in Windsor Ontario Canada and a retired psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. She is also the author of several psychology articles and textbooks and a TEDx presenter who shared her insights on how to turn stress into strength. She has a popular YouTube channel and a blog where she offers psychology tips and exercises for mental health empowerment and daily resilience. She is passionate about applying positive psychology to facilitate personal growth and transformational change in individuals and organizations.
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Thriving Under Pressure 
I teach group literature classes to homeschool students. But we use Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey theory, not only to analyze literature, but to apply what we learn in deeply reading books to the students’ own heroic journeys through their lives.
So I know I am, in Joseph Campbell’s famous words, following my bliss by helping to develop young people who think of themselves as heroes….and can read literature beyond the surface level.
How brilliant! Thank you for sharing. What an innovative & enlightening way to weave literature into the lives of students. And in doing so, each of you follow your own bliss (the ultimate hero’s journey) in your own (interwoven) way. I love Joseph Campbell’s work. My 2 favourite quotes are:
We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.
My favorite Joseph Campbell quote recently is:
The world is perfect. It’s a mess. It has always been a mess. We are not going to change it. Our job is to straighten out our own lives.
– Joseph Campbell
I have been a big “change the world” person, so this is a great reminder for me to focus within instead of outside myself to produce what I want to see in the world.
Great quote. I love the duality of it. Thanks for sharing!
1. Opening myself up to new opportunities.
2. Learning something new every day to better myself.
What great questions, by the way.
Your answers inspire me to reach out & up for more.
Thank you! For your feedback and for your answers!
May your 2017 be filled with opportunity & growth.
Right now, I’m most excited about my book, Trust the Timing, as I pull together the pieces of self-publishing. I hope it will help people who are lonely or grieving from a broken heart. I make time every day to work on the publishing process. To avoid distractions, it’s best if I do this in the morning, before I look at Facebook or blogging, sometimes even before I check my email. Thanks for asking!
Good for you JoAnna!
I love how you’ve taken a challenging time in your life and translated it into a story of resilience and faith. “Trust the Timing” is the perfect title. And most certainly an affirmation and mantra to live by as you take your journey to the next level. Before you know it, the right publisher will be knocking at your door.
Trust the timing.
I appreciate your support and encouragement!
1. I’m excited about investing in growth, whether that be the growth of my own personal journey, growth I can try to inspire in others, or growth of making ethical choices. That’s my new year’s resolution this year.
2. I suppose I like to be the change I wish to see in the world, as Mr. Gandhi would have put it. Living with integrity and taking pride in everything I do. Going to sleep at night with peace of mind.
I love these types of questions; please keep them coming!
Growth and change. Just typing those two words pulls me forward. A wonderful theme for 2017. Thank you for sharing your passion, purpose, and priorities for each day. Peace of mind is mine too. For all good flows from there.
Thanks also for the feedback on the questions! I love stimulating deep conversation. And how lucky are we to have conversations with each other – all around the world.
Writing, yoga, and meditation are mine. Being happy for myself, a better mommy, and person are my purpose. More than anything – I’m focusing on habit. Creating good habits. Not setting goals, no big changes. Slowly, steadily building good habits. Using my passions to guide me, my life, and my happiness. To me, it all has to be one!
I love how you are breaking everything down to habits. Because as you write, that’s where everything begins. Follow your passions (writing, yoga, meditation). Make it a daily habit. Be guided by both. The best! Thanks for sharing.
Great post! I appreciated the opportunity to reflect. ☺
I am asking for a gentle and creative year. I am open to all suggestions from the Universe!
Thank you for all your inspiration and support. 😊
The universe hears you. And so do I! Such a beautiful request. I can feel the gentleness in your words. Your creativity sparks mine. So grateful. xo
xx
In 2014 I retired from active practice at the age of 55. I loved the clinical aspect of patient care and the challenges overcoming traditional thinking and methods used to address “dis-ease.” I was fortunate to have discovered my PASSION for health as well as my PURPOSE (sharing integrative concepts with patients AND DOCTORS of ALL disciplines) early in practice. My goals were not designed to convince people about “correct” health care decisions. My goals were designed to transform thinking behind the process of decision making so that patients could decide for THEMSELVES the best course of care that suited their personalities and needs. This has helped me solidify a strong sense of PURPOSE while assisting patients and consumers to critically evaluate health and health related options they never would have known existed.
My journey continues today in the form of a blog site. It is intended to attract dialogue and constructive criticism from people throughout the world in order to expand and improve upon these ideas I share.
How incredible! I love how your approach focuses on healthcare leadership, education, and self-reliance. As what matters most in helping others is igniting a fire in each patient’s spirit, something that propels them to continue what’s prescribed – beyond the doctor’s appointments – 24/7 – behind closed doors in the homes of your patients. Your passion and purpose foster to this transformative change and responsibility taking. As this is the only true change that transforms people’s health habits.. for a lifetime!
Thank you for your kind words. There are many wonderful health care professionals committed to using their skills to guide those seeking new direction. Hopefully, my messages resonate with the blogging community offering insight to discovering this self transformation.
You are so awesome Andrea!!
What I’m finding passionate is creating a foundation of nurturing for myself.
I’m making this a daily practice by meditating, eating well (still working on that one), resting, and doing regular self-forgiveness…. and more. It’s the little acts that seem to build a solid place for me to stand on, at least from my experience.
Great question, and good for you for the service you provide to students. A blessing to you and to them, Debbie
How wonderful Debbie! You live your passion & purpose everyday. In your writing, doing, and your being. Thank you for your kind words and your continued support. I am blessed by you,🌷
From mother to creative daughter. Many people struggle to find their passion but
you have have found two passions both of which touch the heart and soul of
people. You make me very proud of all your accomplishments. Now, your
mother is learning from her daughter to find new passions in her retirement.
How great is that?? 💞
What a wonderful surprise! You’re the best! As my mom & role model, you led the way as an educator & a psychologist. (Two passions). Your love for helping others inspired me to become a psychologist. Unaware that one day teaching would be my highest calling. With writing falling close behind. Who knows what’s next for Dr. Di & Dr D .. As far as I can see, the only limit is our imagination. Let’s fly! 🦋 💙
I’m glad I came across your post this early in the morning. The second question will be my focus for today until I can finally answer it. But for the first question, I am excited about the possibility of my family moving to a new place. Our living arrangement now is far from ideal as I have to travel between two countries every month to see my young son. Hopefully this year, the three of us (me, hubby and son) will be living together again in one country, one home! Hopefully! 🙂
Wow! Working and living in two different countries Therese. So much the rest of us take for granted until someone like you shares their challenges. That said, I see how your excitement for finding a home (your purpose) for your family (your passion) so you can all finally be together in one country is your top priority. For what matters more than love. ❤️
I bet your students absolutely LOVE your classes! Imagine how many lives you’ve touched with your enthusiasm.. You’re DEFINITELY spreading the ‘positive’ sparkle! For me, having worked too hard for too long, I’ve taken a year out and I’ve found my sparkle through my blog. I’ve just loved writing about whatever takes my fancy but most of all connecting with some wonderful people like you from across the World, where there are no ‘boundaries’ or ‘wars’ and we can connect with love, peace, fun and harmony!
Thank you so much Wendy! For your encouragement and your input. I love how you make your passion and purpose a priority in your daily life – independent of your career. (intrinsic motivation at its’ finest) There is no doubt the difference your writing makes. In my life and in the lives of all your readers. Sparkle on! 🎉
You are the type of professor that made college fun for me! To answer your questions:
1. I am most excited about being able to help others who were in my former health and fitness situation get healthy and fit through diet and exercise. I have been able to help motivate people around the world and help them escape the bad nutritional advice we’ve been fed for decades.
2. I write blog posts daily and answer emails, PM’s, and messages as promptly as I can to make sure people get the answers they need to be successful in their journey to get healthy and fit. I see it as not only a responsibility, but as a way to repay those who were there for me when I was starting my journey.
This is not my profession, but it’s my passion. It really brings me a sense of accomplishment when people I help reach their goals or get past a challenge.
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions. Your answers are so motivating and thoughtful. I especially love how you pay your own health successes & lessons forward. Your before & after photos on your blog are Incredible!
Even though you don’t get paid – you still give it your all. There are very few people in this world that get paid to “live on purpose”. Which is why your blog strikes such a cord. Find your passion. Follow your purpose. Make it a priority. Pay cheque or no pay cheque. It’s passion/purpose that feeds the soul. (The ultimate lottery.)
BTW: Thanks for saying how professors like me make learning fun! You are very perceptive. I believe in the power of fun in learning. So much so that Teacher Enthusiasm was the topic of my PhD dissertation. Entertaining Educators = Engaged Students! 😊