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This year International Women’s Day on March 8 will celebrate accomplishments of women around the world.  In my book Living Forward, Giving Back I have devoted a chapter entitled Women Ushering in the Future to celebrate women’s leadership which is showing up in all fields of endeavours across the planet. This title was inspired by Kofi Annan’s quote which states: The future of the world depends on women. While Annan’s quote acknowledges the power of women to affect, heal and transform the world, it also implies a heavy responsibility.  The current times of rapid change and uncertainty call for us all to grow the inner capacity to attune to our foundation of resourcefulness and inner genius. Regardless of our present circumstances, our resilience and...

In recent years a body of research on happiness and the brain has revealed strong evidence for a genetic inheritance towards a particular set point or level of happiness. However, what is being further understood is that although you may have a genetic susceptibility to a particular range of happiness, this propensity requires certain circumstances in order for that gene to be triggered into expression. Such circumstances can include financial loss, a painful divorce, too much stress at work, etc. Although you may have a somewhat unchangeable set point of happiness, you can still cultivate the circumstances, the mindset and the habits that are, for you, conducive to experiencing a greater happiness flow – like the river here. I will address this as part of...

As our sunny days are making way for autumn, we can appreciate the shared moments of summer which served to deepen our relationship with loved ones and with nature. Perhaps you too felt the joy of discovering yet more beauty in the majesty of nature in the past weeks? (The photos included here were taken by my 16 years old daughter Natasha Samorodin). On the threshold of fall time, many of us seek moments of introspection and new opportunities to learn. If you value life-long learning you may set your sights on new horizons of personal and/or professional development. For those who are meandering through the middle passage of life, consider attending the workshop Midlife: A Call to Passionate Engagement which I will lead through Hollyhock – in Vancouver on...

With its theme of growth and renewal, springtime invites you to take a bold new look while attuning yourself to what is emerging within and around you. Thinking of your mind as a garden you may choose to plant new seeds of possibilities and focus on what is conducive to flourishing in various aspects of your life at this time. Stimulating questions to ponder could include: What limiting belief do I need to discard for more empowering thoughts to flow brightly through the garden of my mind? What new opportunities, and what action can I take to better thrive in my personal and/or professional life? Are there aspects of my personal identity (simply put: who I think I am) that are holding me in limitations rather than fostering expansiveness and growth? In what area...

With my commitment to lifelong learning I am continually searching and finding thought leaders that spark fresh insights and generate new knowledge in my mind. Having discovered the field of interpersonal neurobiology a couple of years ago, I have recently been excited to learn more about the brilliant work of Daniel J. Siegel PhD. In Mindsight, Dr. Siegel speaks eloquently about the practice of mindsight as a potent skill that is the basis of social and emotional intelligence. In the framework of the Triangle of Wellness, which comprises of the mind, the brain and relationships, Dr. Siegel explains how the flow of information and energy in the mind can actually shapes the brain through neuroplasticity. Along with its richness of content this most readable book...

Beyond resolutions, consider a gentle yet rigorous course correction towards your vision of an improved quality of life. January is an auspicious time to cultivate a deeper kind of resolve which intensifies as you make moment to moment choices that are in alignment with your vision. Much like a small shift of the tiller on a sailboat can result in a very different arrival point on the distant shore, a small change in your mindset can enable significant new opportunities to arise in your life.   I suggest you find moments of solitude to consult both your inner sage and your inner child. Your wise elder can compassionately point to aspects of status quo that you may not have wanted to see but that need to change; your inner child could help freeing you up to...