Insights

Tomorrow is Family History Day. The day honors the busiest day ever recorded at Ellis Island. April 17, 1907 was a milestone date, with 11,747 immigrants passing through towards their dream of making a new start in America.  Family History in Context Ellis Island is a symbolic place to many Americans, primarily those whose ancestors came from Europe. All Americans share a sense of resiliency, no matter the background of their ancestors. The vast majority ...
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What if I told you there is ONE very simple journal writing secret that can change your writing -- and your life -- in just two minutes. I've been a journal writer my whole life. I even learned the Intensive Journal Method in my twenties and have been using it ever since. But about three years ago I learned the most amazing journal writing secret. And now it's the basis for my own personal growth, ...
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Self-care is more important than ever right now. Had the honor of talking with Leah Hope from ABC7 News last week about tips for self-care this holiday season. From ABC7 News: How to self-care, improve mental health amid pandemic holiday The video and transcript article includes some great advice on different options for self-care. Dr. Sonya Dinizulu made a great point, "It's not meant to be commercialized or glamorized." Remember that splurging on a spa ...
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Jot Some Joy Lately I find myself thinking a lot about Lucy from the Peanuts cartoon, "Stop the world! I want to get off!" We need to keep on reminding ourselves, that times are different. They are complicated. And despite all the strengths we are bringing to stay positive and keep going, this pandemic is just dragging. It is OK to feel off. It is OK that you are struggling. It is OK that moment ...
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In the past four weeks I've worked with over 45 students in online journaling workshops as each looked for ways to process the impact of the COVID-19 crisis individually and as a learning community. Nearly 75% of the way complete, it's fascinating what we've shared together. And the lessons I've learned. My big takeaway comes down to four coping categories, and eight simple journal techniques. As groups, we're using journaling as a means to cope ...
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If you're like me, you're hunkering down for safety, while your head and heart try to process what this pandemic really means on a day-to-day basis. Astronaut Scott Kelly (the twin who was in space for a year) offered some inspired tips on what it takes to live effectively in isolation. The NYTimes shared an article written by the astronaut. One of the unexpected findings was the importance of keeping a journal while in isolation.  ...
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As a teacher, my goal is always to help students understand the wisdom within. It’s possible to tap this wisdom through the practice of journal writing. One amazing suggestion to empower your journal writing is by using an entrance meditation. An entrance meditation is anything that works for you to quiet yourself before you begin writing. This process of settling the day-to-day busy-ness of our brain then engages the more intuitive, creative, symbol-oriented part of ...
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For over 25 years working in the change management field I’ve always been inspired by the stories and case studies of people with an inner power of self-resiliency and the ability to lead when others want to run away. As I began the journey to find my father-in-law’s biological family I found myself gravitating towards stories written by the genealogically bewildered. It’s hard enough to be anchored in you as you when you’ve known all ...
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It is. Psychologists Erich Wellisch and H.J. Sants named the phenomenon in 1964, while working with adoptees. The term refers to their observation that missing details about your own ancestry can lead to an experience of ‘genealogical bewilderment’. I’ve been on a quest recently to find the biological family of my deceased father-in-law, who I never had the chance to meet. Every answer my husband and I celebrated created dozens of new questions and emotions ...
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