Self-awareness promotes self-care

Early in June 2020, my wife’s mother passed. Thankfully, we were able to gain essential traveller status for compassionate reasons to enter South Australia and be with her a few days before. (The state borders were closed for COVID-19.) Mum was ready to go, clearly letting everyone know she knew where she was headed. Such wonderful faith. She was the …

2 Failures Of Limited Self-Awareness.

One of the major things for sustained emotional health is a developed and growing self-awareness.All of us have some awareness and some blindness of who we are.The Johari Window technique gives insight to this. Some areas of our life are visible to others and ourselves. We have a secrete area where things are hidden from others. We have areas we …

3 Key Strategies for Personal Wellbeing – Guest Blog: Dr. Chris Adams

Guest Blogger: Dr. Chris Adams Executive Director Center for Vocational Ministry Azusa Pacific University Senior Research Associate: The Flourishing in Ministry Project University of Notre Dame Keep perspective. God is with us, no matter what happens. The hope of Easter resurrection is alive! The Christian Church is the most resilient movement in history, having survived and even thrived during wars, …

Adaptability — A key to thriving relationships during life’s storms

Why do many relationships survive life’s traumas but some do not?The death of a child, major injury, acute sickness or intense financial pressure are some of the reasons given for relationship breakdown. Yet, some relationships grow stronger and deeper through similar difficulties. The passion to live in harmony One major characteristic of relationships that thrive in difficulty is their ability …

2 steps to managing conflict

Healthy key relationships don’t just happen. They are built over time, flowing out of a healthy well-being, with intentional interactions to develop relationships. In three blogs we have have explored the following builders of healthy key relationships. 1 Experiencing belonging and connectedness. 2 Proactively construct enduring relationships 3 Communicate effectively and transparently Today we explore the fourth builder: healthy conflict …

2 builders, 2 impeders and 2 destroyers of Effective Communication

2 things that build trust: Listening and Affirmation Have you noticed that when you talk with emotionally healthy influencers and leaders you feel listened to, affirmed and encouraged? There is something about the way they consistently listen with empathy and speak with clarity that builds trust. You are made to feel safe and valued and that you belong. There are …

Identifying Depleters

The gravity that pulls me under The last blog spoke of buoyancy upthrust. Today we examine the gauges that indicate weight that pushes one under. What pulls you down?I call these things depleters. It took about six months to accumulate the list of things that drain my buoyancy. Here are eight depleters I have identified. Conflict I don’t run from …

5 Things that give emotional buoyancy.

How is your buoyancy? Buoyancy is the ability to float. Also, it’s the cheerful and optimistic attitude or disposition. It’s your verve, your vim, your va-voom. In floating terms, there are two forces at play, weight that pulls down and buoyancy that is upthrust. One of the 5 key gauges to keep watch on is your emotional well-being. This measure …

3 Keys to thriving COVID-19

3 more Gauges Continuing on with Thriving through COVID-19, here are some more thoughts on paying attention to your gauges for well-being. Gauges help you know how you are doing, and reflecting on this allows you to make plans to replenish.You are designed to make a difference. Running out of fuel or oil will stop you. Filling your tank gives …