In fifth grade, I had a tough experience that stuck with me. In front of a packed lunchroom, my school principal, Sister Katherine, scolded and intentionally embarrassed me, accusing me of causing chaos—including dancing on a table. None of it was true.

She then pulled me into her office, where she...

Stress and anxiety are at an all-time high, while happiness feels harder to reach. But the research is clear: happy people have different habits than those who struggle.

Happiness isn’t accidental—it’s built through consistent, healthy actions. Make time for your mental wellness now, or life will e...

I'm a middle child from a loud and emotionally expressive Italian family. Growing up, everyone expressed feelings - except me.

I decided at a young age to hide my emotions and live inside my head. Not a strategy I would recommend.

Between 16 and 22, I coped with stress and emotion in unhealthy wa...

On my toughest days, focusing on gratitude has been a lifeline. It shifts my attention from what’s wrong to what’s right.

Gratitude gives me energy and courage. It anchors me in what I have instead of what I lack, helps me see my potential, and keeps me moving forward when things get hard.

When I ...

In seventh grade, on the last day of school, a classmate kept shoving me from behind during a school assembly. I asked him to stop—more than once—but he didn’t. Finally, I told myself, If he does it one more time, I’ll take action. When he shoved me again, I followed through.

Walking out of that ...

I’m capable of courage—and excuses. When I recall how I've grown after facing and engaging with intimidating situations, I’m more motivated to lean in rather than avoid.

Growth has never come from playing it safe; it comes from stepping into what feels uncomfortable and discovering I can handle it....

Most people make one big relationship mistake, both personally and professionally. Stop this tendency and you'll improve your life plus encourage the people you care about most.

I'm referring to the bad habit of invalidating others. It can be subtle eye rolls, sighing, criticizing, distancing, and/...

One of the most impactful things you can do—for yourself and for others—is to reach out and start a meaningful conversation.

All people crave meaningful connection, yet many hesitate to take the risk of starting a conversation. Instead, they overthink what to say or how to engage. Everyone wants ...

Many people approach interactions asking, “What’s in it for me?” But when you shift your focus to “What’s in it for them?” you create the meaningful connections you’re actually longing for. Aim to leave people feeling better about themselves than when the conversation began—and your relationships an...

The healthiest couples share one key trait: self-awareness. They’re willing to look at themselves honestly, accept feedback, and make changes.

After more than 25 years as a family therapist, I’ve watched the same core issues quietly erode marriages when they go unaddressed.

Often, if those couples...

I love great poetry. It has a way of bringing clarity and revealing the next steps I need to take. Like many people, I often place myself in the poem--as if I'm a character in the story--and reflect on how its message aligns with where I'm headed.

The most powerful poems do more than stir emotion--...

If you want to excel in life, being able to stay calm when feeling overwhelmed is an essential skill. The consequences of not doing so can be significant (e.g., addiction, damaging relationships, job loss, missed opportunities, etc.).

Knowing your triggers (people, places, and situations) and how y...