Defuse volatile situations and improve relationships by honoring dignity — Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world, but has not solved one yet. — Maya Angelou Some people are easy to hate. Their words and actions are cruel, heartbreaking, and unthinkable. Even when hate feels justified and right, it often comes with anger, stress, and anxiety…

Next steps for where to put your time and energy — It’s hard to know how to handle it when someone you care about says something repulsive. In our current political climate, it happens all the time. Families and friendships fracture. So far, I’ve refused to lose people over politics. I have several strong relationships with people who have very different…

She could‘ve really benefitted from my hard-earned wisdom. — I knew a lot when I was young, so I probably wouldn’t have listened. But these things would have made a world of difference if I’d figured them out early in life. Expand your world Visit new places, and read good books. Seek out classics, biographies, and captivating adventures. Learn about different places…

The past few years have been a handful. Most people are a little worse for wear. But in any situation, you can bring out a person’s best. It works for people you love, respect, and agree with, people you don’t, and everyone in between. Treat them with dignity. Acknowledge their…

Sending love to grieving hearts — Grief shifts and transforms. It rises and falls, but it doesn’t end. Last week was the second anniversary of my dad’s death. I felt the heaviness and remembered the acute pain of his final week and the night that he died. …

A meditation series for real life — In Glennon Doyle’s bestseller Untamed, she tells the story of one of her first Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. She gathered up the courage to speak and told them that she’d been sober for six days. She felt awful. She yearned to exist without it being so hard. Afterward, a wise woman…

Journaling prompts for uncovering your core values — Do you choose a word for the upcoming year? Two years ago, I chose focus because 2021 was a scattered mess. Last year, I chose four words: health, relationships, contribution, and adventure. 2022 was a year of recovery. I have no idea what’s in store for 2023. But if I…

Polarization, dehumanization, demonization, and . . . belonging? — Geoffrey L. Cohen is a psychology professor at Stanford University. His research focuses on addressing complex social problems by developing interventions that facilitate a sense of belonging and self-worth. …

Sitting with grief is a gift. — In 2007, George O’Malley put losing his father into words. I saw this episode of Grey’s Anatomy 13 years before I lost my own father, but it made an impression. In December 2020, I joined the club, and George’s words were right there waiting for me. “I don’t know how…