https://youtu.be/ldOlNJ0ds0c The idea we have for our life rarely matches up with the life we end up with. Plan A is fantasy. Plan B is reality. Growth is not a straight line, which is often a blessing in disguise, yet something we seldom realize in the thick of life. How do we move on from... Continue Reading →
I am a strong believer in keeping things simple. The less complicated things are, the more likely we are to repeat the behaviour. Especially when it comes to health and happiness habits. https://youtu.be/0i0tuqAmdaw Twelve Days Day 1: Mindful Mornings Add five to ten minutes of relaxation to each of your morning routines. Time expands when... Continue Reading →
Take a moment and anchor yourself with something that lights you up. That reminds you that you are not alone in this storm. You have been here before. It may have been a personal pandemic, not a global one. But somehow, deep inside, you made it through. And you will again. You have the courage,... Continue Reading →
Today’s story begins in the middle of a spin class. The point in time when you feel like giving up the most. Because the middle is always the hardest. Whether it be the middle of a semester, the middle of a week, or the middle of a year. It was thirty minutes into class, and... Continue Reading →
ASK DR. D … ANYTHING! At a recent leadership conference, student leaders from St. Clair College's Student Representative Council SRC had the opportunity to ask questions live during the final portion of the training event. Questions & Reflections The student leaders raised the reflection bar high during this discussion period. One Question Stood Out The... Continue Reading →
Staying Hopeful I wanted to share how I have been keeping hope alive in my heart and soul during 2020. Specifically, by expanding my reach with new virtual experiences. Beginning in the spring with my first "live" recorded internet event with Sam Piercell, a fitness entrepreneur, from Windsor, Ontario. 1. F45 Live Event: Community Resilience... Continue Reading →
Even as a psychologist, I often don’t know what to say. Especially now with so many people experiencing pain and trauma in escalating ways. So rather than assume what someone needs, I have learned over the years to ask one simple question: How Can I Support You? In doing so, I create a safe space... Continue Reading →
One of my favourite ways to energize before teaching psychology classes at St. Clair College is to summarize a theory in practical and concrete ways in the parking lot.Literally! 🚘 I filmed this video 5 minutes before I was about to teach a lecture on personality and positive psychology in my liberal arts class. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUC7f_3EdHA Just... Continue Reading →
Wishing everyone an extra dose of hope + optimism at the start of this brand new month of May. Paradoxically, I have never felt so close to friends, family, and strangers since social distancing began. 8 billion people experiencing the same global event, at the same time – together. May we continue to connect on […]
Resilience & Success In this 8 minute video, I describe three resilience tips for student success: 1. CONNECT 2. CREATE 3. THRIVE https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3OXADYU-pQs&app=m&persist_app=1 Hold On STAY STRONG “Be Fearless in Pursuit of What Sets Your Soul on Fire.” There will always be obstacles. The question is — do you see them as roadblocks or stepping... Continue Reading →
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zRSQw-LjU8k Every time we take a long deep breath, we are telling our bodies that we are safe. Each breath connecting our mind, body, and heart. Bringing us back to present time. 5 Breathing Techniques: Follow Your Breath Become aware of each inhalation and exhalation. Focus on the sensations you feel as air passes through... Continue Reading →
Signs pointing us in the direction of our dreams are everywhere. Everywhere! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE3fD-8aSF8 But we have to look UP to see it. OPEN our minds to BELIEVE it. Visualization Exercise Look for the signs The next time you see a 40 km, 50 km, or 100 km sign — take it as an opportunity to... Continue Reading →
Podcast Details & Show Notes I was recently interviewed by wellness entrepreneur Christa Realba for her Ambitious Mama Podcast Series. During the podcast, Christa and I discussed how posttraumatic growth and thriving under pressure are possible for all of us. In different gradients, and at different times for sure. Depending on where you are on... Continue Reading →
Today let’s celebrate all the dreams that came true. Merely an idea 5 years ago. It is so easy to get lost in our hopes and motivations for the future. Without realizing how many of aspirations we have already achieved. Together let’s honour how far we’ve come. Only then will we have the fuel and... Continue Reading →
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlkaArLVg28 Psychology Keynote In this video you will hear the remarkable stories of teachers, social workers, and principals who suffered greatly through illness, injuries, and difficult pregnancies. Eventually rising up with time and support to greater heights in their current lives. Personal Experience In this video I share examples of how my parents coped with dark times... Continue Reading →
https://youtu.be/I08EUaQ8g9Y Reevaluate Your Approach to Mental Health Instead of thinking of mental health as a burden you must shoulder, imagine it as an opportunity to experience peace and joy. In the same way that we make time for our physical needs, we must devote equal attention to our psychological needs. Original Source — The Drive... Continue Reading →
H old O n P ain E nds During difficult times, I often tell myself: “What a difference a day makes.” This one simple sentence helps me to remember that tomorrow is a brand new day. Illuminating the possibility that what looks like the end in that dark moment, could in fact be preparing me... Continue Reading →
You have the ability to make positive changes in your life. Right here. Right now. Don’t wait for “the perfect time” to transform your life. NOW IS YOUR POWER.
Nathalie Begin author of the Gutsy Feeling Blog invited me to give a positive psychology workshop called Optimism Bootcamp at a Symposium for Crohn’s & Colitis Canada. The audience was filled a very special group of people. Individuals that have been battling the chronic condition of Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) their whole lives. Optimism and Health... Continue Reading →
OPTIMISM BOOTCAMP: Overcoming Learned Helplessness is a dynamic, interactive psychology workshop based on an article I wrote for The Drive Magazine https://youtu.be/z_DNIWYh6vE 1/ Optimism Article https://thedrivemagazine.com/posts/optimism-bootcamp 2/ Optimism Bootcamp - April 2019 https://youtu.be/z_DNIWYh6vE 3/ Optimism Bootcamp - August 2019 https://youtu.be/LgACYyFv2YQ
Remembering Who You Are The first thing that goes when we are faced with a stressor of any kind is the memory of all we have overcome in years gone by. Wake Up Call Let this be your daily, weekly, hourly signpost of how wildly capable you are. Truly. Incredibly. Strong. And if you ever... Continue Reading →
#internationalwomensday #rolemodel Growing up my Mom, my mentor, and the first psychologist in our family, didn’t talk a lot about women’s empowerment. — She lived it. Gracefully. Quietly. Courageously. Today, and all days, I am grateful for a role model who began her journey from challenge to strength with incredible will and a heart of... Continue Reading →
There are two ways of looking at failure. Failure as FEEDBACK. Failure as PUNISHMENT. ⊕⊕⊕⊕⊕ One energizes. The other paralyzes. WHY FAILURE IS NECESSARY I believe that failure is essential for success, at work and in our personal lives. Failure lights our way to what we’re ultimately meant to do. Especially when we embrace it... Continue Reading →
What percentage of the time do you spend talking about your stress versus talking about your dreams? Arguing for your weaknesses versus championing for your strengths? Dwelling on the negative simply contributes to its power. So please accept this challenge of beginning your conversations with your dreams instead of your stress. In doing so you... Continue Reading →
When the going gets tough do you focus on the dream or the sacrifice? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rbWW9jb1Q8 "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." Viktor Frankl Boost your motivation and raise your energy by laser focusing on what is within your control during challenge and adversity — Your Mindset
Inspiration is everywhere. Today's post is brought to you from my psychology classroom. I hope it inspires you to claim the joy in your life. Good vibes, after all, start on the inside. We spend so much time creating future opportunities that we often forget to claim the magic we’ve manifested - right in front... Continue Reading →
JUST SHOW UP The word motivation stems from the Latin word "movere" which means to move. Which is why MOMENTUM is such a powerful force when it comes to motivation. Motivation doesn’t happen before the creative act — it happens during. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYWHVvKW4GY Small steps.Day by day.Week by week.Moving you forward.Closer to your dreams.Just show up.... Continue Reading →
https://youtu.be/UlkaArLVg28?si=VVI9DtIw7EIBTC1A You are resilient. You are strong. You are a diamond in the making. You sparkle. You shine. I see it every time I look at you. And one day you will too. Thriving Under Pressure TEDx Talk: Watch Here
Trust the process of your life. What looks like the end could be a whole new beginning. You just can’t see it yet.
I want to give the world the best of me. This is my hope every time we meet. And every time I teach. No matter how brief or long our interaction. I want to leave you feeling brighter, lighter, more confident. The bonus is — when your energy rises, so does mine. A boomerang effect of... Continue Reading →
I am so excited to share that my TEDx video hit 1000 views today! 🎥 A BIG thank you for watching and sharing my TEDx talk with your friends and family. We are stronger than our stress. This I know for sure. Together we will thrive under pressure. 💥 Click on TEDx Video → Thriving Under Pressure
What are the most powerful words in the universe? The ones you use to talk to yourself. Choose the words that move you forward, the emotions that lift you up, and the actions that empower you. Believe in the one reason that a difficult situation will work out. You! You have everything it takes to... Continue Reading →
I have the pleasure of starting each day with my husband John. Each morning begins at 6am with an hour of coffee talk weekends included. No alarm clock necessary. Having something as wonderful as hot coffee and good conversation to look forward to each day is its own wake up call. This morning I asked John... Continue Reading →
There's a diamond inside all of us. Waiting to be discovered. Related Post: Your strengths light my way.
"The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance." https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rUWGr_GwzhM Need help embracing change but don’t know where to start? Video In my interview on CBC-TV I share 5 positive ways to embrace change using the principles of positive psychology. Article I also... Continue Reading →
POWER OF LIGHT Even though we often have little control over the “outside forces” in our lives, we can always make a positive difference - from the inside out. Start here. Right here. Right now. Be still. Breathe in gratitude. Be thankful for this very moment. Start small. Notice your passing thoughts. Let go. Awareness empowers.... Continue Reading →
What’s the one habit you have been vowing to change for good? What are you waiting for? The right time? The right place? The right person? Today I challenge you to wait no more. For now is the right time. For here is the right place. And YOU are the right person. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rUWGr_GwzhM&app=m&persist_app=1 Helpful Video:... Continue Reading →
In one word describe how you feel when you write. Writing makes me feel ALIVE! For me, writing is all encompassing. The words are the beat of my heart. The words are the oxygen I breathe. The words are all that I touch, feel, and see. For me, writing is all encompassing. I am the... Continue Reading →
Trust that you are exactly where you need to be. Good or bad. High or low. East or west. Be still. Have faith. Hold on. Stay strong. What you seek is seeking you. https://youtube.com/shorts/6mDigR8RVXU?si=NSu3TDp6aspumwv5
Look for the good and you will find it.💫 Related post: Shine your light.
This rollercoaster life. Life is full of highs and lows. Wins and losses. Joys and sorrows. Celebrations and defeats. Too much and too little. Make the shift. Nothing shifts us from scarcity to abundance more quickly than a sudden moment of appreciation and gratitude. Multiply your treasures. Take a moment (this moment) to look up and breathe in all that... Continue Reading →
What motivates you? Guides you? Encourages you? Strengthens you?
Wishing you a day be filled with peace & joy.🌷
Thriving Under Pressure 