When things go well for you, do you tend to have mixed feelings about it? Do you find yourself feeling uneasy or uncomfortable? While I do love it when things go well, I also tend to have some mixed emotions about it. It can be a little tricky for me to fully embrace and experience … Read more
There are a lot of things we can and can’t change in our lives. We all go through challenges that bring about change, and many of us struggle with these types of changes. We fear that we won’t be able to overcome certain challenging situations. But the thing about change is that it’s a slow … Read more
There is real power in saying no. However, this isn’t always easy to do, especially for those of us, like me, who struggle with people-pleasing or worry about upsetting others. It’s often particularly challenging to say no to certain people and in specific situations. Have you ever said yes when you really meant no? Most … Read more
A while back a mentor of mine said to me, “Mike, it sounds like you’re ‘shoulding’ all over yourself.’ And while this sounds funny, of course, this feedback was important for me to hear at the time and is something many of us do to ourselves, whether we’re conscious of it or not. If I’m … Read more
I truly believe that we’re all doing the best we can given whatever our current situations and resources may be. However, many of us can be extremely critical of ourselves and others. And even though I’ve been teaching and practicing the power of appreciation for more than two decades, when I find myself feeling scared, … Read more
What does the saying, “Appearance versus substance,” mean to you? Here’s a statement I’ve heard many times… “It’s better to look good than feel good.” I understand this sentiment and have felt it myself. However, as I think about this and the implications for our lives and our culture, I’m deeply disturbed by this notice. … Read more
When you apologize, do you apologize authentically? Apologizing can be a tricky thing. As essential and important as I know apologizing is to creating peace, reconciliation, trust, and connection in my relationships, sometimes I don’t want to do it or I do so in a completely inauthentic and manipulative way. Recently, this has been in … Read more
How often do you judge others? Most of us can be quite judgmental, whether or not we admit it. I’ve been aware of my own judgmental tendency for much of my life. While it does seem to ebb and flow based on my own level of confidence, inner peace, and fulfillment, I’ve noticed that it … Read more
Has anyone ever told you to stop worrying? I don’t know about you, but this feedback, while understandable and often accurate, often irritates me and doesn’t usually inspire me to stop worrying. Whether you’re a business owner, a leader of a team, an employee rushing for a deadline, a parent taking care of kids, or … Read more
As much as we don’t like to think about it or talk about it, the fact is, we’re all going to die one day. The reality of death is, of course, both obvious and daunting for most of us. I used to wonder what it’s like to know you’re going to die – but then … Read more
