My husband Steve and I have worked on developing a Japanese garden, or what I like to call a Zen Garden that starts right outside our living room window. We decided to put a stone that says “Just Be” front and center. This morning when I looked outside my window into the garden and saw that sign, my soul knew exactly what this month’s blog needed to be. Hopefully the following statements will remind each of us how important just being is as we think about the much-needed balance between doi...

Typically, as May Day, May 1st approaches, we think about the international workers’ day that honors workers and the labor movement. For the purpose of this blog, I am going to use Mayday, Mayday, Mayday as our distress signal in healthcare. For a moment, let’s take a hard look at what is happening in our industry. Right now, healthcare is in a mayday situation for several reasons.

In the fast-paced, demanding world of healthcare, it is easy to slip into the mindset that we need to bear the weight of our responsibilities all alone. We are conditioned to be the caregivers, the fixers, the doers, the one who supports others, the ones who show up no matter what. However, sometimes our reality is as we pursue serving others, we often neglect our own needs, fearing that asking for help or support will make us appear weak or incapable.

In today’s fast-paced world, which is dominated by the incessant chatter/scroll of social media and the constant pings on notifications, it is easy to overlook the power and beauty found in the power of silence. Yet, within these quiet spaces lies an unspoken language that captures the essence of human connection. This is the language of love, spoken through actions, gestures and presence—often more eloquent than words could ever be. Love communicates the depth of human connection in ways t...

In life and work, we often encounter moments where accountability becomes a defining factor. Truth is, taking accountability is not always easy, not by any means. Habitual patterns pop in, making excuses or projecting blame onto others or onto the situation sometimes just easier. There is no growth in the patterns, excuses or blaming others. We need to face our challenges head-on, learn from our setbacks, reframing obstacles as opportunities. Being 100% responsible is about owning our actio...

Are you searching for the perfect gift this holiday season? I think I may have found it but know for sure that it is hard to find, as it is truly a rare treasure! Let me explain.

It is said that water is the source of all life, and without water all life would cease to exist. That is an accepted fact, right? Water does sustain all living things. What we often forget is that we can go without any water for approximately three days. We cannot go without oxygen for more than 4 to 6 minutes before permanent damage starts to happen to our brain. Take a moment to just breathe, notice it, be grateful for it, be present with it, receive clarity through it, be refueled by it.

As adults, we often find ourselves running on the adult..itis gerbil wheel, with so many responsibilities that there is no time for play or fun in our lives. Let’s step back in time for a moment to remember the pure joy of playing as a kid. Being free to run, jump, play games, be spontaneous and laughing until our stomachs hurt. As adults, it is easy to forget the importance of play and how essential it is in refueling our hearts and for our overall well-being. This month I challenge this gr...

What a powerful question. One that each of us need to ask ourselves at least daily, if not several times a day. In healthcare, we are givers at heart. We give and give and give to others. Sometimes to the point of exhaustion. At what expense? Truth is, at the expense of ourselves. As healthcare workers, we are at very high risk for emotional exhaustion, burnout and compassion fatigue. Really, this comes at no surprise if we are not taking time out for ourselves. Time to refuel, to resto...

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, LOVE is in the air whether it is LOVE for self, LOVE for your family, LOVE for your relationships including significant others and friends. LOVE makes the “world-go-round”.