“Gratitude is the heart’s memory.” —French Proverb

The practice of expressing gratitude and being thankful is a choice that unleashes positive energy into our lives. Many psychologists agree that gratitude is the healthiest human emotion.

Focusing on things that we are grateful for will put things in perspective and change our mood. It keeps us from thinking negative thoughts. It produces inspiration and motivation to focus on the positive and nurture the things that really matter to us.

When I was a boy I received a King Kong action figure for my birthday. At that time I really liked King Kong and this gift was very special. While playing with my toy I soon found out that my little brother (around 3 years old) was afraid of my King Kong doll. So like a good big brother I ran around the house scaring him by showing him the doll and by roaring like King Kong.

My brother, of course, would run and tell my parents. My parents would take my doll away and then give it back with the condition that I not scare my brother. This process happened many times. On one occasion they even told me that if I did it again they would burn my King Kong doll in the fireplace.

“Nonviolence is not a garment to be put on and off at will, its seat is in the heart and it must be an inseparable part of our very being.” —Mahatma Gandhi 

The principles of nonviolence that Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. practiced, modeled, and lived out have impacted billions of people and led to many social change movements marked in history.

Nonviolence is rooted in the principle of ahimsa, which literally means to be without harm to oneself, others, and all living things.

Many times people focus on changing other people's behaviors and are only concerned with getting what they want. When this occurs, the person asking has a closed heart to the other person's feelings and needs. If the other person says "yes" to their request and does so unwillingly, it will come with a price. Resentment and bitterness may be present and disconnection occurs.

There seems to be a widespread assumption that praise is always a good thing. It is not uncommon for teachers to be told to praise a child every day.

Some are even evaluated on how close they come to this standard. Many books on parenting encourage praise and don't mention any negative effects of using it. 

Yet there is now research that shows that using praise can be unhealthy.

We all communicate in different ways in conflict situations. Some of us communicate in healthy ways and others in unhealthy ways. Below are some different types of communication personified by animals. Which do you most identify with? Which do you want to most identify with?

The Turtle - This person is hesitant to share his feelings and needs with others if it is not safe. He is scared to be honest and vulnerable with others. He may hide in his shell for some time before facing the situation.