It is hard to imagine being thankful when such horrible things are happening in the world.  The irony is gratitude helps us in turbulent times.

 

Resources:

Essay by Dr. Robert Emmons

Gratitude in Action Podcast about Dr. Emmons work

Cultivating More Gratitude is Hard Podcast

Living from an appreciative stance can increase your life expectancy, resilience and creativity.  And it is hard to do.  This episode makes a case for increasing appreciation in our days and shares a few tips.

 

Resources:

Dr Rick Hanson on hardwiring our brain for happiness

Brother David Steindl-Rast TED talk

Barry Oshry defines partnership as being jointly committed to whatever endeavor we are in.  His work in seeing systems helps us understand much that we experience as personal is not personal at all.  It is just people doing the best they can living in different worlds.

 

Resources:

The model

Barry talking about his work

- Radio interview

- Video

Mistakes are a regular occurrence in life so we best learn how to live with and learn from them.

Resources:

Emotional Bank Account

Self Compassion in Action - Best of Ourselves Podcast

A Learning Mindset by Carol Dweck

Who gets to decide who you are?  How do you stay open to how other's experience you and learn. And at the same time not let anyone else define you.

Resources:

Giving Feedback

Crucial Conversations

Defensiveness - Best of Ourselves Episode

Lessons in Projection - Best of Ourselves Episode

Kindness is a tangible step towards peace.  How do we increase our self kindness and kindness to others.

Resources:

Self-kindness with Kristen Neff

Self Compassion - Best of Ourselves episode

Self Compassion in Action - Best of Ourselves episode

100 ways to be kinder

4 ways to be kind when you dont feel like it

Our lives are filled with habits. We can learn how to create more positive habits by knowing ourselves. Lessons from Gretchen Rubin's new book, Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of our Everyday Lives.

 

Resources:

Gretchen Rubin podcasts and website

Acceptance as a way to change - podcast from May 2015

Nudge yourself in a better direction every day -  podcast from January 2015

Change is possible, really - podcast from July 2014

What we avoid can lead to great suffering.  We have learned to avoid pain as a matter of survival.  However, we cannot selectively numb.  Lessons from Brene Brown and Ron Siegel.

Resources:

Learn More about Dr Brene Brown's research

Learn More about Dr Ron Siegel's work

Learn More about Dr Christopher Germer

It is great advice, and very hard to live.  A few thoughts on why we shouldn't take things personally.

Resources:

The Four Agreements

Don't Take It Personally, Psychology Today

We have more power than we usually tap to create our dreams, paraphrasing George Eliot, to become what we might have been.

Resources:

The Power of Intention

Wayne Dyer on the Power of Intention