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 what... Continue Reading →
The Stories We Tell Ourselves
The Stories We Tell Ourselves In this classroom video and article, I share strategies for transforming painful experiences. Especially those beyond your control. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=119i-Qv-ep0 Background Reality Testing: Psychology Theories Cognitive Reframing and Restructuring Identifying and challenging irrational or maladaptive thoughts ABC Model - Cognitive Behavioural Technique Antecedent, Belief, Consequence Application Reality Testing: Real-Life Example In... Continue Reading →
Peace Lives Here
Peace happens in moments. Not days. Not weeks. Not years. Hot coffee. Cozy blankets. Birds singing. The sun rising. Peace happens in moments. Not days. Not weeks. Not years. Savour the sunshine. Taste every morsel. Dance with abandon. Stroll by the moonlight. Peace happens in moments. Not days. Not weeks. Not years. https://youtu.be/zRSQw-LjU8k Breathe... Continue Reading →
Face Everything and Rise
Fight or Flight Threat Response Every time we feel threatened (threat is the fundamental definition of stress) our first instinct is to “fight or flight“. This perpetual “fight or flight” response loop eventually creates a host of secondary problems, above and beyond, the original stressor. Powerpoint Slide from Broaden and Build Leadership Event, January 2022... Continue Reading →
Twelve Days of Self-Care
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 of Self Care Day 1: Mindful Mornings Add five to ten minutes of relaxation to each of your morning routines.... Continue Reading →
Anchor Yourself With Light
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 →
What’s my purpose?
What's your perspective on purpose? Is it something you do or something you are? Is it ignited at birth? Or at work? Does it expire at death? Or when you retire? https://youtu.be/0WA8LzF5m3Y The way I see it. Purpose is for a lifetime. It's what lights you up, and sets your soul on fire! Video of... Continue Reading →
5 Mindfulness Techniques
Our point of power is always in the present moment. 1. Be Here Now https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EiuTpeu5xQc&feature=emb_title Stop Take a breath Observe Proceed 2. Create Space https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fXNo7GUDizM “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our freedom.” Viktor Frankl 3. Find Your Flow... Continue Reading →
Let Your North Star Guide You
Mindfulness Tip: Look Up The sky connects us to something bigger than ourselves. Challenges appear small in comparison to the vastness of the sky. Solutions seem plausible. Answers come more easily. In the presence of stars, we embrace the profound and surrender it all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gMq9BNKvOA
The moment of surrender is not when life is over. It’s when life begins.
https://youtu.be/I7YD4A900-4 Surrender is not giving in. Surrender is not giving up. It is trusting in something bigger than yourself. Something you can’t quite see. Quietly unfolding. Slowly expanding. In your favour. Behind the scenes.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Live Zoom Conference 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 virtual training event. Ask Dr. D The student leaders raised the reflection bar high during this discussion period. One Question Stood Out The Most... Continue Reading →
2020 Life Lessons: Be Strong Enough To Be Gentle
Lockdowns have us spending a lot of extra time with the ones we love. Especially during the holidays. And if you’re anything like our household, it requires a whole new level of relationship skills. A deeper level of empathy and compassion for the pressures of the people we are living with. Helpful Tips: Psychology Today... Continue Reading →
You are enough, just as you are.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygkRUiRacSE You are enough, just as you are.💕 Mirror Exercise: Waking Up with Love
Shine your light
I used to think of life purpose as some great big grand scheme for life, something we spend our whole life chasing after. Daunting for sure. At times overwhelming. Then one day I realized that life purpose was a series of small, fleeting events, rather than one great big span of life. Bite size in... Continue Reading →
Enjoy Every Moment
Never let the things you want make you forget the things you already have. Nothing Lasts Forever. Good or Bad. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd9TrYI75o0 Enjoy Every Moment. Embrace it. Be it. See it. Everything you appreciate is you reflecting back. Homework for Today Look Around You. Notice Things Like You Are Seeing Them for the Very First Time.... Continue Reading →
Does Your Self-Talk Energize You or Drain You?
How we talk to ourselves matters. Especially at the start of a brand new day. Our thoughts are the lyrics to our daily soundtrack after all. A topic I talk about with love and laughter in this video workshop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ALCrzw_1Xo Psychology Homework: The One Day at a Time Approach Step One: Awareness Begin by WAKING... Continue Reading →