Somewhere between the wrapping paper, last-minute shopping, and dessert table negotiations (“just one more piece of fudge…”), it’s easy to forget what this day is really about. Christmas has a way of reminding us…gently and beautifully…that not all gifts come in boxes. The most meaningful ones can’t be bought, wrapped, or returned. Over two thousand…

Everyone who is emotionally and mentally healthy wishes for a happy and fulfilling life, and to feel good about the future despite their current circumstances. Happiness is within reach; it just boils down to how willing we are to make any necessary changes in our lives to be truly happy. Although there can be many…

Thanksgiving is supposed to be about gratitude, connection, and slowing down. But let’s be honest, sometimes it feels more like a full-contact sport. Between the grocery store chaos, family dynamics, and that one relative who insists on bringing “experimental” stuffing, it’s easy to forget what we’re even giving thanks for. Still, Thanksgiving offers something beautiful:…

One nasty habit that keeps people stuck is overanalyzing everything. Overanalyzing transforms little issues and situations into big problems and overwhelming challenges. Overanalyzing is like yeast; it makes things grow and grow and grow until something cute and small becomes monstrously huge with fangs and claws. Overanalyzing turns positive situations and relationships into negative ones…

Stress is a normal part of life. When something in our environment changes, our bodies react to these changes physically, mentally, and emotionally. However, stress isn’t always a bad thing. Positive stress kicks your body into high gear by flooding your body with hormones, elevating your heart rate, and boosting your energy as a way…

How often have you set out to rid yourself of unhealthy lifestyle habits only to end up right where you started? The truth is, it’s really hard to shake bad habits for healthier ones. It’s why gyms are full come January 2nd and empty by February 1st! Humans just don’t like change. In fact, your…

Okay. If you were absolutely honest, do you feel that your lifestyle promotes vitality and strength or…(not wanting to sound to harsh, here) frailty and weakness? Strength and vitality in our whole being is what we really want. We want all of the life we can possibly have, mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally and relationally. But…

It Is NOT Selfish To… …take care of yourself. You’re worth taking care of because your life and happiness matter, too. People seem to really struggle with what it means to be selfish and selfless. They think it’s selfish to take care of themselves. And somewhere along the way they’ve been led to believe that…

Kenneth Patton once said, “By the choices and acts of our lives, we create the person that we are.” So many people wish for a new life but for whatever reason they don’t go after it. You’ll often overhear them saying they want to change…they need to change…that they’ve had enough and can’t take it anymore! It’s…

Music has a well-established relaxing effect on our bodies and minds. Therapists use music to help people overcome anxiety and depression, and improve their cognitive functioning, motor skills and social skills. Science has also proven that music has many beneficial physiological effects including slowing down the heart rate, lowering blood pressure and reducing the level…

Fear is a perfectly normal and healthy emotion that is essential to your survival. It protects from danger and can even be helpful in certain situations if “used” wisely. Unfortunately, fear and anxiety, in overwhelming, sustained doses, can be absolutely paralyzing. These two emotions can hijack your thoughts, stress your soul and make you want…

It’s November when this article is being published, a season of thanksgiving for many regions worldwide. Times are difficult for many people as they face financial and relational hardships. And with so much tension and unrest around the world and new fears and uncertainties facing us daily, it can be quite a struggle to be…