The Secret to Happiness Isn’t What You Think...

Gallup’s 2025 World Happiness Report just dropped (https://www.gallup.com/analytics/349487/world-happiness-report.aspx), and if you think the happiest people are the ones with the most money, success, or Instagram-worthy vacations—think again.

👉🏼The report confirms what we’ve probably known: Happiness is about connection.

That’s right—people who feel deeply connected to others, trust their communities, and engage in meaningful interactions report the highest levels of happiness. And yet, there’s a problem...

We’re lonelier than ever.

💔 Feeling like division is everywhere? Wondering if we’ll ever find common ground again?

You’re not alone. The tension is real—politically, socially, even within families. Some days, it feels like the world is pulling apart at the seams.

But history tells a different story. We’ve been here before. And we’ve healed before.

🕊️ After war, communities rebuilt.
🤝 After conflict, relationships were restored.
🌍 After deep division, unity was possible.

This season will pass. Healing is possible. And the future is still full of hope. 💛

Are You Being Led or Being Played?

Ever pause and wonder if your decisions are truly yours? Sometimes it feels like someone else is steering your choices—whether it's subtle manipulation, transparent persuasion, or the gentle pull of genuine influence.

• Manipulation: When you're tricked into decisions you never really wanted.

• Persuasion: When clear, honest reasons make you rethink your options.

• Influence: When you follow a leader whose example inspires you naturally.

The key is to recognize which one is at work. Ask yourself: Am I choosing this freely, or am I just going along with someone else's agenda?

Embrace your inner critical thinker and reclaim your power to decide!

We’ve only been logical for about… 5 minutes. (Okay, not literally, but close.)

For most of human history, we’ve made decisions based on instinct, emotion, and gut reactions. Our rational brain—the one that actually thinks things through—showed up embarrassingly late to the party.

In my latest blog, I break down:
🐘 Why our emotional brain (the elephant) still runs the show
🧑‍🎓 How logic only recently started flexing its muscles
📜 A timeline of when (and why) we actually started thinking critically

And most importantly… how to stop letting your emotional elephant drag you into bad decisions.

If you’ve ever wondered why people—including you—make irrational choices, this is a must-read.

The recent federal workforce reductions have many feeling uncertain and demotivated—a state known as "languishing." In Languishing: How to Feel Alive Again in a World That Wears Us Down, Corey Keyes explores this phenomenon and offers insights on reclaiming well-being. Prioritizing mental health and fostering open communication are key steps to combat these feelings. Let's work together to build resilience in these challenging times.