Amanda Block

Thanks for all the birthday wishes! Overall my birthday had a few things to teach me this year.  First, I really embraced the “ask for what you want” school of birthday celebration. I asked my son and my partner if they’d go see a musical with me. We did and it was excellent! I asked all my closest people to send me a voice note or a written note for my birthday and to focus on a message they want me to listen to not just on my birthday but whenever I want a reminder of our connection. ...

For my birthday. I want to tell you about something I’ve started to do to celebrate. Write a thank you note. Here’s one now, for you. Dear person who’s willing to open my email, or any email that isn’t absolutely necessary, Thank you. Thank you for giving the bandwidth to the possibility that something not on your to do list might still be worth a few minutes. Thank you for reading someone else’s thoughts and ideas and considering if – and how – they might be of use in your own life or work....

I asked you if you had any "slow bleeds" in your life that are draining your resilience and wow did you ever answer! Slow bleeds in the form of loved ones with big mental health challenges, co-workers who don't step up, bosses that over-promise and under-deliver, marriages that haven't been strong for years, markets that change constantly, economic struggles, a sick pet...  So what do you do?  Most of us try to "put a bandaid over it" and keep moving. But that doesn't work. If you can't do...