How many opportunities do we miss by skipping too quickly to an end goal, an outcome, or an instantaneous answer that gives us a momentary grasp of control but prohibits any experience from unfolding? Think about it. When did your haste of needing an answer before there were any answers block you from getting anywhere? Moreover, how could these impulses to skip over life’s processes to reach goals have prohibited your visions from unfolding?

In his powerful TED Talk, the great Conductor and Music Director of the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Benjamin Zander, describes how to listen to Chopin by highlighting the piece’s “deceptive cadence,” as it teases the anticipated end note multiple times throughout the piece before finally hitting it, of course, at the very end.

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In the U.S., we spend nearly 20% of our Gross Domestic Product on healthcare. At the same time, our healthcare outcomes are worse than those of other developed countries. According to Integrative Health pioneer Andrew Weil, as of 2017, “the World Health Organization ranked the United States 37th in health outcomes” (Weil, 2017). Weil goes on to make a very interesting point –

“I would argue that we don’t have a healthcare system in America. We have a disease management system that’s functioning very imperfectly and getting worse by the day. The sad fact is that the diseases we are trying to manage are mostly diseases rooted in lifestyle choices. They have to do with how people are eating, their lack of physical activity, how they handle stress or don’t handle it. All these factors are really apart from looking at the physical body.”

In our Happiness Studies Master’s Program, we have learned about many different methodologies that support the principles of integrative medicine, which Dr. Weil sees as a solution to broaden our healthcare system and strengthen its outcomes. Before I give my thoughts on an integrative health system that could better serve individuals and society, let me briefly summarize the five basic principles of integrative healthcare identified by Dr. Weil himself: *

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The improvement of human wellbeing happens when we effectively create healthy environments. So, let’s talk about the environment that impacts almost all of us, whether directly or indirectly– the work environment.

Every employment partnership is a two-way street – right? So, if employees are going to manage their wellbeing successfully, then their employers must foster a healthy work environment.

“So, what are organizations doing about it? Not enough, apparently. Fewer than one in four employees say their organization cares about their wellbeing – nearly half the number who said the same before the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the workplace” (Gallup & Workhuman, 2023, p.2).

I’ve decided to contribute to human wellbeing in the workplace by writing a letter. It’s addressed to employers who could benefit from learning why their most valued employees are on the verge of burnout. If you think your organization is ready to have an honest dialogue about what it will take to increase wellbeing and minimize burnout and turnover, feel free to adjust this for your own use. I double-dog dare you.

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November 1st, 2023, marks the 9th anniversary of my coaching practice, Pave Your Way. While I was tempted this week to respond to my assignment of “describing a vision for a viable business” with a brilliant new business concept that could “make the world a better place,” a voice inside me tugged with these words – “appreciate where you are.”

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“Studying the events of time – history – is as important as studying science, if not more important – it helps you understand what man is.” (John Little, 2021).

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To feel accepted, you have to be willing to face the uncomfortable feelings of not being accepted.

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Occasionally, as we go about our daily routines, out of nowhere, something small in our worlds comes into more precise focus.

A subtle yet illuminating insight is delivered. I’m unsure why this happens, nor could I describe the exact conditions that make up these experiences. All I know is that they seem connected to our ability to notice what we witness as we find ourselves in heightened states of observation. Ones that go beyond seeing what’s happening to observe our own experiences of what’s happening.

As Bruce D. Schneider, founder of iPEC (Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching), puts it – 

It's like “being a participant and observer… at the same time.”

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Anyone who plays or follows the game of tennis knows that as sports go, it is one of the most mentally demanding.  On a quiet court, just you and your opponent, with down time between each point, your thoughts are yours alone.  No matter your skill, regardless of the power of your groundstrokes or softness of your hands at the net, no matter if your serve is on or your forehand is killing it that day, thoughts intrude.  Your confidence, your mindset, your PRESENCE can make or break a match result.

In tennis - and in life - our thoughts, our attitude, ALWAYS sets the tone for success or failure.

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Have you ever found yourself wondering how to embody forgiveness and compassion, while also respecting your own personal boundaries? Whenever we feel a boundary getting crossed, it’s not only normal, it’s completely reasonable to feel tension with our innate capacity to love, forgive and extend kindness. So, how do we reconcile our urge to live compassionately, while also honoring our values and respecting our boundaries? To answer this question, I think it’s worth exploring the meaning of the words– “boundary” and “compassion.”

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Recently, it dawned on me how funny (and symbolic) it is that my last day on the job before jumping into the deep-end of starting my own business was HALLOWEEN! And, yes, I dressed-up... as a "Spice Girl" in fact, which meant I was the "Paprika" of our marketing team's McCormick spice rack ; ). Spiiiicy, I know!

Looking back on that day in 2014, I remember feeling like I was about to put on a new costume. Here I was, a 17-year veteran to the world of advertising and marketing, about to embark on the road of personal and professional development, AND entrepreneurship. I was about to start my own practice as an Executive Coach, and put on what felt like at first, a new costume.

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