In a world often overshadowed by troubling headlines, stories of hope and kindness remind us of the good in humanity. This week, we celebrate...

I’ve always loved animals — every kind of creature, big or small. As a child, nature documentaries like Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom captivated me, fueling dreams of someday seeing Africa’s majestic wildlife up close. I longed to live among these creatures, study their behaviors, and dedicate myself to protecting them. Yet, as many journeys do, my trip to Africa in 2004 unfolded into something far more complex and transformative than I had imagined. Setting Out to Live a Dream For my 40th birthday, my boyfriend and I planned a trip to Uganda, aiming to explore the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest near the volatile Democratic Republic of Congo. We were aware of the risks but felt it was...

In our hyper-connected world, many of us wrestle with the question: How much news and information should I really consume to stay informed without losing myself? The relentless stream of headlines, podcasts, influencers, and streaming content promises that if we miss out, we won’t belong or stay relevant. Yet beneath this bombardment lies a powerful force engineered to capture and hold our attention—often at the expense of our well-being. The truth is, rules alone won’t save us. Deleting apps or enforcing digital detoxes may help temporarily, but these measures often fall short against technology designed to weaponize our focus. The battle for our attention is fiercer than any personal willpower or best intention. But—and this is...

For over a decade, my husband and I have opened our home to foster children—17 young souls aged 3 to 17, each carrying their own stories etched in trauma. Despite the differences in their backgrounds and personalities, one thread unites them all: the deep impact of trauma, often invisible yet profoundly shaping their emotional worlds. Trauma in children can manifest in many ways—emotional turbulence, behavioral struggles, mistrust, and difficulty forming attachments. More than anything, these children need safety, stability, and grounding. But beyond meeting their basic needs, a vital part of their healing journey is learning to self-regulate emotions. This begins with what I call holding space—a practice of co-regulation, where patience, mindfulness, and empathy create...