What if the doorway to lasting freedom, peace, and happiness was at the end of a long, dimly lit hallway? You can't see the door, but you've heard that it's there. All you can see are strange, shifting shadows. Some of these shadows are familiar, but others are not. You look around and notice that there … Continue reading Shifting Shadows
Author: Jessica Traylor, Ed.D.
Dr. Jessica Traylor is an educator, researcher, and student of life. Her areas of interest include psychology, biofeedback, holistic nutrition, meditation, yoga, Reiki, and hiking. Dr. Traylor's goal is to take what she has learned and translate it into simple, actionable steps to help others in their quest to live a happy, fulfilling life.
There’s a Reason Why Basics are Basics
Have you ever wondered why we are seeing this "back to basics" movement in areas like education, healthcare, and nutrition? Do we really want to go back to basics? In order to go back to basics, we have to accept that the whole system is integrated. We can no longer work on isolated parts of … Continue reading There’s a Reason Why Basics are Basics
Looking For The Positive
Life is full of experiences. The way we interpret the meaning of those experiences is up to each of us. Just like we all have different preferences in music and food, we also have different ways of understanding the people and events that happen around us. A few weeks ago, I started to feel frustrated. … Continue reading Looking For The Positive
Four Tips for Riding the Wave of “13 Reasons Why”
If you haven't seen or heard of 13 Reasons Why, chances are you haven't talked to enough teenagers over the past few weeks. This series, based on the book by Jay Asher, has become a powerful force in the lives of our young people. They are watching it, reading it, and talking about it. It is up … Continue reading Four Tips for Riding the Wave of “13 Reasons Why”
Stop Pushing the Same Rock Up the Same Hill
Do you ever find yourself feeling frustrated when you really want to feel fulfilled and happy? A few years ago, I was very frustrated with my job. I felt like I was close to getting burned out. I know all the signs, but that doesn't mean that I'm immune to feeling easily fatigued, being short … Continue reading Stop Pushing the Same Rock Up the Same Hill
Don’t Let Your Past Dictate Your Future
Have you heard the saying, "there are two sides to every story?" One of my students corrected me the other day. He informed me that there are at least three sides to every story: my side, your side, and the truth. I believe he was right. Embracing the Story Our memories are the stories we … Continue reading Don’t Let Your Past Dictate Your Future
Ignorance Is Bliss, … Until It Isn’t
Do you remember the last time you tried to learn something new? Chances are you went through a typical process: you realized that what you were doing wasn't working and you needed to do something different, you struggled for a while, and then finally it all came together. The realization that you got it, that … Continue reading Ignorance Is Bliss, … Until It Isn’t
“13 Reasons Why” Should Be Required
Do you remember middle school and high school? For most people, these were not the best years of their lives. Maybe you are one of the few who would say that your teenage years were amazing. Or, maybe you were more like the rest of the people I know who wouldn't go back to that … Continue reading “13 Reasons Why” Should Be Required
Confirmation Bias: The Power of Our Beliefs
Why take the time to figure out what we believe? Whether we are aware of them or not, our beliefs about a specific area can greatly impact the assumptions that support those beliefs and the values we hold that are based on those beliefs. Our beliefs guide our thoughts and behaviors. We tend to look for or create situations that … Continue reading Confirmation Bias: The Power of Our Beliefs
Backward Logic: Why who you are matters
The caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland asks Alice a very important question, "Who are you?" Alice can't answer him. She doesn't know who she is. Alice has experienced so many changes that she is no longer sure of anything. I've asked people this same question. Their answers reveal a lot about what is important and what fuels … Continue reading Backward Logic: Why who you are matters