“No, you can’t” or “it can’t be done” or “it’s impossible” are some of my least favorite statements to hear, but they are also my biggest motivators. Growing up as a Christian Assyrian minority in a Muslim country, living as an outcast, moving from house to house, and country to country, I heard these words often. It started with my parents, my extended family members, my teachers, the government, and even other countries. I heard the word NO enough to last me several lifetimes. Having desires and dreams of a better life existed only in fairytales. It was ingrained within…

Tranquility and the absence of disturbance – is one of the many definitions of peace.  How often do you find yourself in a state of tranquility or lacking disturbance, especially during 2020? In a year of never-ending eruptions, it’s important to spend more time focusing and talking about our inner peace than it is focusing on our stress level.  Stress is wrapped up in our circumstances, it’s inevitable, and trying to eliminate it is near impossible, but embracing peace…that is something that can be achieved by living in the moment, living for today.  We can’t change yesterday and we definitely…

It’s easy to feel sympathetic, to tell someone I’m sorry for your loss, or I’m sorry about your breakup, loss of job, your financial struggle, or anything else life throws at them.  But it’s so much harder to walk a mile in their shoes, and tell them I empathize with you, I see you and I hear you.  When people are hurt, angry, sad, or depressed, they are not looking for a reaction, they are seeking a compassionate response instead.  According to Brené Brown, “Empathy is communicating that incredible healing message of ‘you’re not alone.’”  In a world that seems…