Every year on the first Friday of August, glasses are raised in unison across continents for International Beer Day. What started as a small celebration in a Californian bar in 2007 has become a global ritual observed in more than 80 countries by people who perhaps have little in common beyond their shared appreciation for […]
International Beer Day: A Toast to Culture, Connection and Coming Back to Life Read More »
The Role They Play in Post Traumatic Growth In a world that rushes relentlessly, there exists an ancient companion who walks at the rhythm of healing, listens without judgment and mirrors the human soul with unflinching honesty. The horse, a majestic, primal and intuitive animal, is not just a relic of our shared past but
The Dark Reality of Intimate Partner Abuse and the Journey to Freedom When we hear the word toxic, what do we really mean? Is it just someone who’s bad for us? Someone who drains our energy, dismisses our feelings or fails to respect our boundaries? Or is there something more sinister lurking beneath the surface
“Slavery is not an issue of the past. It’s an issue of today.” – Kailash Satyarthi January marks International Human Trafficking Month, and 30 July is World Day Against Trafficking in Humans – a time to shine a light on one of the darkest corners of our global society. Human trafficking, often referred to as
October marks Eye Care Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the importance of vision, raise awareness of eye health and address the challenges individuals face when losing their eyesight. As a resilience practitioner and post-traumatic growth specialist, I’ve had the privilege of guiding individuals through some of life’s most difficult transitions. One of these
Eye Care, Vision Loss and How to Protect Our Sight Read More »
International Self-Compassion Day, celebrated annually on July 20th, is a profound opportunity for individuals worldwide to pause and reflect on the importance of self-kindness, especially in the face of adversity. For many, trauma and hardship can leave deep scars, but through self-compassion, we can begin the journey towards healing and growth. Understanding Self-Compassion Self-compassion, a
Self-Compassion: A Path to Post-Traumatic Growth Read More »
A Pathway to Post Traumatic Growth and Resilience Conflict is an inevitable part of life, woven into the fabric of our daily interactions, relationships and personal experiences. Whether arising from interpersonal disagreements, societal challenges or internal struggles, conflict can feel overwhelming and destructive. However, it also holds the potential to be a powerful catalyst for
In our journey through life, we often encounter challenges that test our resilience and emotional strength. While Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are widely recognised as significant stressors, there are other life events that can deeply impact us. Understanding and acknowledging these stressors is the first step towards overcoming them and fostering post-traumatic growth. Let’s delve
Acknowledge Your Stress – Top Five Stressors in Life Read More »
In our journey towards holistic wellness, understanding and nurturing each facet of our lives is crucial. The Wellness Wheel, a concept embraced by wellness counsellors, coaches and practitioners, serves as a comprehensive framework to guide us in this endeavour. Each spoke of the wheel represents a different aspect of our well-being and mastering the skills
Cultivating Resilience in the Wellness Wheel Read More »
How to Achieve Post Traumatic Growth and Resilience Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are pivotal events that occur during childhood and have lasting impacts on an individual’s mental, physical and emotional well-being. Coined by Dr. Vincent Felitti and Dr. Robert Anda in the 1990s, ACEs encompass various forms of abuse, neglect and household dysfunction experienced before
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Read More »
In the intricate tapestry of family structures, both nuclear and extended families offer unique advantages and challenges. While nuclear families provide autonomy and independence, they may also face isolation and limited support systems, potentially leading to trauma for family members. On the other hand, extended families offer built-in support networks and intergenerational wisdom, but they
Nuclear versus Extended Family Dynamics Read More »
From time to time I make short videos that are usually in response to common questions I receive from clients. They are posted on my Youtube channel and other social media platforms, so if you follow me or subscribe there, you’ll get notified whenever a new video is uploaded. Here are a few of the
Common Questions Answered on Video Read More »
In our journey through life, each of us carries a unique tapestry of experiences, emotions and memories. One often-overlooked thread in this intricate weave is our hair. Hair isn’t just about fashion or aesthetics – it’s a powerful emblem of our self-image, identity and expressions of self-worth. Cultural Rituals Cultural rituals related to hair are
The Profound Significance of Hair Read More »
We commemorate International Women’s Day and International Day of Indigenous Peoples on 9 August. It’s a poignant time to honour the remarkable stories of indigenous women from diverse corners of the globe. Some have left an indelible mark on history. They defied norms and emerged as a symbol of strength and leadership. It reminds us
Resilience Stories of Indigenous Women Read More »
The True Essence of Friendship Let’s delve into the beautiful world of friendship and explore its true meaning and the vital qualities that make it a cherished and enduring connection. Friendship, like a delicate flower, blooms with time and care. It is a profound connection that goes beyond casual acquaintanceship. True friends become an indispensable
How to Nurture Resilient Bonds Read More »
Have you ever felt so wronged or injured that you wish you could get back at that person or give them some of their own medicine just so that they can feel how awful you are feeling and what their behaviour is doing to you? Retaliation is a human response that involves responding to perceived
Drowning incidents can have devastating consequences, not only physically but also mentally. When safety measures and precautions are not adhered to, individuals and families may be confronted with the harrowing aftermath of traumatic experiences. Let’s explore five real-life examples of drowning incidents and the profound impact they had on both the victims and their immediate
The Unseen Wounds of Drowning Read More »
The Mental Health Implications of Neglecting Farm Safety: Unveiling the Traumatic Consequences Farm safety isn’t just about physical well-being. It also significantly impacts our mental health. Failing to adhere to essential safety measures on farms can lead to traumatic incidents that leave lasting emotional scars on individuals and their families. Please scroll down for a
Farm Safety: Unveiling the Traumatic Consequences Read More »
Fear is an inherent part of the human experience and plays a significant role in shaping our relationships. It is a complex emotion that can be triggered by various factors, including perceived threats to our physical or emotional well-being, uncertainty, vulnerability or past negative experiences. Fear can have both a positive and a negative impact
Divorce is a significant traumatic event that brings so many changes to your family’s life that they are often overwhelming and seem impossible to cope with. It helps to take a step back and see the big picture so that you can be better prepared. Here are some of the most common changes that can
Life Changes of Divorce Read More »
I’ve heard so many mothers say “I haven’t worked in years because I’ve been raising my children. How will I ever get a job? I have no skills.” Well, being the primary caregiver and full-time parent to your children can develop a wide range of skills that are very valuable in the work environment. Some
Parenting Skills Valued in the Workplace Read More »
I am a big believer in critical thinking because it really has the power to shift our perspectives on challenging situations. So whenever we are facing adversities or struggling to come to terms with life changes or even working through very traumatic experiences, thinking about it critically with emotional intelligence can be very helpful. What
Critical Thinking with Emotional Intelligence Read More »
The Family Contribution Calculator provides an accurate measurement of the daily contributions of each parent (partner) to their own well-being and that of their children – in other words, how they both meet the needs of every family member and contribute to a healthy, happy family. This is a valuable tool to cultivate resilience in your family.
Family Contribution Calculator Read More »
Sometimes, emotional abuse can be so subtle that we don’t even realise we’re being emotionally and mentally abused by someone’s words or actions. Even though there are no visible bruises, the damage should never be underestimated. How can it be abuse if it is so subtle? This kind of conduct systematically undermines your dignity and
25 Signs of Emotional Abuse Read More »
Silent Treatment is emotional abuse and stonewalling is passive-aggressive. Period. There are times when we go silent for valid reasons, like when we want to avoid saying something that we might regret afterward or when we need time to think about the situation, gain some perspective and formulate a good response. Other times we might
Silent Treatment is Emotional Abuse. Read More »
Is truth absolute or can it be relevant to one’s perspective? In the 1200’s there was the so-called “Double-Truth theory”, which distinguished between two types:Philosophical truth – the world of nature, this perceivable world (matters of reason)Theological Truth – the origin of the world, beginning of time, the mystery of creation (matters of revelation) There