My Courageous Mom In 1956, this was the title of a book authored by John F. Kennedy with Ted Sorenson as a ghostwriter.  It was the biography of eight senators who defied the opinions of their party and constituents to do what they felt was right and suffered severe criticism and losses in popularity.  I can’t help but wonder who would be in such a book if it were written today. This is not a political blog but a questioning of courage in an environment without truth and the rule of law.  It Takes Courage It takes courage to leave a decade-long employment rather than abandon principles. It takes courage to point out fact over fiction. It takes courage to seek many long-term benefits rather than a few short-term ones.    And yes, even my ever-faithful operations manager is aghast that I would share these thoughts with my readers. But if I don’t, where is my courage? Is playing safe and writing about general work and communication topics better? Indeed, there is much to think about. I am Best Supported by the Courage of My Mom, a WWII WASP I am best supported by remembering my mother, who, against some public sentiment, flew for the military in WWII. Mom was a WASP, a Women’s Air Force Service Pilot.  She put her country before the fact that politicians and journalists would state that women didn’t belong in military planes—that they would be disbanded and sent away without any acknowledgment that they flew 60 million miles of military service. And yes, 36 of them died in duty—a service that freed up male pilots for combat duty.  Courage?  You bet. So, I suspect I will continue to carry on her legacy and do whatever I can to save this fantastic nation.  Do you want to join me?

I admit, I am a peanut in stature. Always said it was because I have a twin brother, and half of me just retired as a professor from Boston College. But this idea of stretching is about growing my resiliency muscle. Three years ago, I made a January resolution to do at least one thing I had never done every month.  I write down what I did and then capture it in my monthly journal.  You get the picture from taking Pilates to eating a raw oyster, from going to a huge farmer’s market to traveling along Bake Oven Road in Oregon. But the biggest “never done” has been happening for 14 months. I study Spanish twice a week, for one hour each class, with a marvelous virtual instructor from Columbia.  Christian DeSilva has created a language school with students from around the world. Most want to learn English. I’m into Spanish. I don’t always have the best discipline, but I am determined.  So here is my challenge for this month:  What is at least one thing you will DO that you have never done before? It doesn’t have to be big. It doesn’t have to be scary. But it needs to be an activity that you stand just a little taller when you have done it. Maybe you feel a little braver.  Perhaps a little wiser (as in I will never do THAT again)! We discover strengths and insights when we push ourselves out of our comfort zone—even in small ways.   I will go tandem hang-gliding in the spring with Owen Morse, a dear speaker buddy and a champion hang glider.  Note that I did not pick anyone off the street. Owen knows what he is doing. Will I be scared? Yes. Excited? Yes!  I will keep you posted. Now, it’s your turn. What is the stretch you will make?  Hasta pronto! Tengo que estudiar ahora mism.

Could being grateful extend your life?  A Harvard study found that among women ages 69-96, those who reported themselves as most thankful for their lives had a 9% lower all-cause mortality rate than the less grateful, The study was conducted among older, primarily white nurses. The results were fascinating but not hard-core. However, “Gratitude is powerful,” said co-author Tyler Vander Weele.” From my experience, expressing or feeling gratitude certainly eases some of the burdens of living in a world torn apart with too much hatred, greed, disasters, political fighting, and a planet at peril. The good news is that you can unleash the power of gratitude. Try asking and answering these questions: What happened today that was good? What am I taking for granted that I can be thankful for? Which people in my life am I grateful for? What is the last book I read, movie, show, or social media clip I saw that I appreciated, and why?  (Try videos of animals on The Dodo) What am I most looking forward to this week or month, and why? What is the kindest thing someone has said or done lately? Where did I express gratitude or kindness to someone today? I’d love to know some of your answers! Please write to me at eileen@eileenmcdargh.com .  The subject is gratitude! Or share it by leaving a comment below.

In the dynamic world of healthcare and education, challenges are as constant as change itself. One particular challenge I often face is facilitating a diverse team of professionals from various backgrounds— healthcare , pharma, education , and even the military —and integrating them into a cohesive unit capable of tackling complex projects with agility and creativity. The solution? Find a path with a future-focused, collaborative approach that celebrates differences while uniting everyone under a common goal. Here's how it's done: 1. Embrace Diversity Recognize that each team member brings unique skills and perspectives. Fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and heard makes a significant difference. 2. Encourage Open Communication Regular team meetings and open-door policies ensure ideas flow freely. This not only builds trust but also sparks innovative solutions to the challenges the team faces. 3. Focus on Continuous Learning Implement regular training sessions and workshops to encourage team members to share their knowledge and learn from one another. This enhances skills, keeps everyone future-focused, and fosters adaptability. 4. Celebrate Successes Together Whether it's a small win or a major milestone, make it a point to celebrate as a team. This approach strengthens a sense of community and motivates everyone to aim higher. 5. Leverage Technology Use collaborative tools to streamline processes and improve efficiency. These tools enable the team to work smarter, not harder, and stay connected, even when working remotely. By addressing this challenge, you not only enhance the team's performance but also create a work environment that is optimistic and supportive. This experience is a reminder that, with the right mindset and strategies, any challenge can be transformed into an opportunity for growth. Now, I’d love to hear from you! How have you turned challenges into opportunities? Share your thoughts in the comments below. If you found this post insightful, give it a like or share it with your network. Let’s continue to learn and grow together!

As we enter the 2nd month of 2025, I am struck by the numerous losses I am hearing about: loss of a job despite years of service, loss of a beloved parent or friend, loss of a pet, loss of a home (think LA Fires!). Heavy sigh. My colleague, John Blumberg, shared with me what former Arthur Anderson professionals did when the Enron scandal brought down this accounting firm: Seek people who have walked your journey. Make sure they are folks who understand the process of loss AND renewal.  Mourning is needed and some people need more time to grieve than others. Allow for that!  Talk about the present as well as the future. Honor the past but don’t stay there. Find the lessons in every event. Celebrate your spirit Comparison is deadly. There is no one exactly like you. Laugh much. Lift a glass. And laugh some more. Pretty good advice, I’d say.  Now, what might you add to make that human connection?

That’s what I thought when I saw the tiny black speck on the pad of my right thumb.  “Just ignore it, and it will work its way out,” said the voice in my head. That voice was wrong.  That night, I woke with my thumb throbbing. By morning, my thumb had ballooned to twice its size and was very painful. I asked my sweet hubby to take a sterile needle and get it out.  No amount of painful digging worked. I soaked it in hot water. No luck. Splinter or Not, Time for the ER By day three, I had given up and gone to Urgent Care. The doctor used a more prominent instrument and x-rayed it. He could see nothing.  He put me on a week of antibiotics and said he thought it would eventually work its way out. The Splinter Lesson So, here I am, days later and pondering the lessons learned from my “splinter”: Take care of minor irritations before they become more extensive. I realize that we all get “irritated.”  It can be a comment or a gesture that can take a single incident and turn it into something bigger if ignored.  Gently dig. Chances are it is just a “splinter.” Don’t wait to ask for another opinion if it is bothersome. That’s what friends, confidants, and therapists are for. Do you take “small” things for granted? Honor the “small.” I had no idea that not being able to use my right thumb meant I couldn’t hold a pencil, open a bottle, peel an apple, or brush my hair. Now I know why, in evolutionary terms, thumbs moved a creature up the scale. How about you? What minor irritation are you ignoring that could become unpleasant? I’m trying to learn the lesson of my “splinter.

Here’s why. By the time we get to the New Year, chances are you are exhausted. The house is a mess. Your work obligations have piled up, and folks are clamoring for attention. You ate more sweets than you thought possible and alcohol—well, let’s say it was a celebration.  No wonder “resolutions” are often good intentions but rarely kept. Long ago, I decided to make my September birthday the time for resolutions. I keep a monthly journal of my work, what I have learned, how I fared with physical exercise and sleep, and what people I connected with.  It takes about 20 minutes each month to make that entry. Then, for my birthday, I read those journal pages and quietly contemplate what I’d like to do better in the coming birth year, what I would like to experience, and what I would like to learn. Easy peasy. No fanfare. No party. No horns or confetti. Try it. Think in simple terms. Just wait until you catch your breath from the holiday bustle.   Remember, small steps make more sense than giant leaps. May this New Year find ways to reclaim kindness, connection, and courage.

Please enjoy this video as we enter the Holiday Season—Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza.  It's not in English, but you don’t need to hear it to be warmed by the sentiment: My deepest wish for our world is to love all. Bonnie and I are taking December off to rest, regroup, and recharge.  See you in 2025! Blessings and peace to all!

I am writing this post in October as I will be gone for half of November. Today, we’re hearing about far too many divisions and hate camps springing up across this nation—in fact, across the world. We humans seem to want to only live with people who look like us, worship our way, and follow a prescribed order in life. How foolish.  The natural world presents a totally different way of living.   Please watch these and consider who is “different” in your world. Can you have a conversation with them? Share a cup of coffee?  At least smile and say, ‘Good Morning.”  It’s time to mimic our animal teachers. Watch how kindness allows two very different species to live together How about interspecies friendships?How about interspecies friendships? And let’s not duck our responsibility to care for other species Lastly, difference requires courage and compassion. Watch Nubby! I hope you enjoy these short segments. If you have any questions, let me know. We need more care and light in this world!

I’ll explain the headline in a minute—but first: context!  I’m writing this post on the way to my granddaughter’s wedding.  It’s a first for me (and for her) and hopefully—her last. Part of me is holding my breath in the face of what will be the MOST consequential election in U.S. history—an election that will determine whether democracy and the rule of law survive. The other part of me is joyous about our family gatherings and celebrations.  In short, despite trepidation, I am grateful.  Yes— I am grateful. Being Grateful is a Healthy Exercise In such crazy, juxtaposed times, gratitude plays a huge part in our mental stability and health. The latest study ,  released this summer using data from some 50,000 women between the ages of 69 and 96, discovered that the more grateful one is, the longer one lives, enjoys better health and has better relationships. Amid anxiety and genuine concerns, take a moment to pause: Stop. Chill. Fill. Fill your mind and heart with gratitude. Focus on what you have right here, right now. Here’s what I’m thankful for: morning coffee, thoughtfully delivered by my incredible husband, a refreshing run by the ocean, the dogs I can pet, a hot shower, a clean house, my fabulous virtual assistant, Bonnie Davis and my brilliant webmaster Thomas Joel (TJ), playing Wordle with my sister, even virtually, the gift of running water and beautiful flowers blooming in the garden. What is on your list?

This year I had circled September 28 on my calendar. Finally, a bucket list wish would come true:  Hang gliding!!! Mom was a pilot in WWII and flying has always fascinated me. Don’t know that the machinery of an aircraft is for me but floating through the sky is something I have dream of doing. I was slated to go with friend and fellow speaker, Owen Morse.  Owen is the other half of The Passing Zone ,  an amazing duo of jugglers, speakers and entertainers.  Watch their video! On a shared ride from a conference, I discovered that Owen is also a record-setting hang glider. In fact, his huge purple glider hangs in the Orange County Airport, along with a plaque proclaiming his ten-hour flight down the Owens Valley (no relation!) YAHOOOO!  We picked the date. I was to meet him in San Bernardino, in the national forest mountains. Alas—the fires that broke out a month ago have made San Bernardino National Forest off limits until at least December.  Sigh.  Owen assured me that we would pick another date.  Here is my lesson: it is now up to me to be the squeaky wheel. Taking me hang gliding is not in his top-of-the-charts goals. So, it’s now up to me to persist.   I’ll keep you posted.  Up, up and away!

Imagine watching a different graduation ceremony that has none of your kids in it and you still laughed and cried.  Imagine that the seniors (called 2nd years) come from all over the globe: Israel, Ukraine, Scotland, Palestine, the United States, and many South American countries. Imagine that these junior and senior high school students have lived for two years in a community discovering how to build a world that transcends nationality, language, religion, or gender identity (and many students need to be there on scholarship).  I’ve just described United World College Costa Rica , founded some 11 years ago as part of a world-wide educational movement.  At UWC-CR, junior and senior high school students earn the International Baccalaureate Degree. The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (DP) is a two-year comprehensive and rigorous pre-university curriculum leading to an IB diploma. Successful IB candidates are typically granted advanced placement credit at the finest universities and colleges in the nation. I learned that the seniors begin their final year with a retreat. They gather to collectively talk about their hopes, dreams, and how do they want to be remembered.   The class of 2024 proclaimed themselves “The Determined Generation”.  Together with faculty, staff, and the “first years”, they developed a mission: To cultivate in young people the passion and ability to serve humanity and our planet—learning from nature and from each other for a lifetime. It gives me goose bumps.  I urge you to watch some of this celebration: My amazing sister, Susan Mullins, has been board chair for years. “These students give me hope,”  Susan exclaims adding “I’ve never worked so hard for no money and I love it.”