Relaxation

“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you thought you couldn’t.” ~Rikki Rogers A friend recently asked me: Andi, where does your strength come from? It took me a while before I had a good enough answer for her. I sat contemplating the many roads I’ve traveled, through

“What, then, is the right way of living? Life must be lived as play…” ~Plato I am a recovering perfectionist, and learning to play again saved me. Like many children, I remember playing a lot when I was younger and being filled with a sense of openness, curiosity, and joy toward life. I was fortunate to

“Some people are going to reject you simply because you shine too bright for them. That’s okay. Keep shining.” ~Mandy Hale After I finished school, I was excited about moving forward with life. I thought about the career that I hoped to have, where I hoped to live, and the things that I wanted to

“You will survive, and you will find purpose in the chaos. Moving on doesn’t mean letting go.” ~Mary VanHaute I was ten years old when I discovered the truth. He didn’t fall. He wasn’t pushed. It wasn’t an accident. He jumped. Suicide isn’t a concept easily explained to a six-year-old, much less her younger siblings,

“The truth is, you’re never going to be able to please everybody, so stop trying. Remember, the sun is going to continue shining even if some people get annoyed by its light shining in their eyes. You have full permission to shine on.” ~Unknown I used to be a rebel. I was the girl at

“I’ve met people who are embattled and dismissive, but when you get to know them, you find that they’re vulnerable—that hauteur or standoffishness is because they’re pedaling furiously underneath.” ~Matthew Macfadyen It was impossible to miss the dismissive hand gesture and distasteful look on her face in response to my comment. “You ooze empathy,” I

“Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.” ~Oprah Winfrey “How on earth am I supposed to survive? I have no friends whatsoever!” These were the thoughts that ran through my mind then when

“Sometimes we self-sabotage just when things seem to be going smoothly. Perhaps this is a way to express our fear about whether it is okay for us to have a better life.” ~Maureen Brady Have you ever decided to try something new—like getting into a new relationship or doing something that would help you experience

Does stress cause sleepless nights, or does a lack of sleep cause stress? Both have been true for me, especially since becoming a parent, and I’m guessing for you too. When life gets challenging, it’s hard to shut your brain off at night. You know it’s important to get a good night’s sleep. You know

“Resilience is all about being able to overcome the unexpected. Sustainability is about survival. The goal of resilience is to thrive.” ~Jamais Cascio The pandemic has forced us to avoid people, self-isolate, and keep to ourselves. It might seem like you’re in a position where you don’t have many options. You can’t freely hang out