

EILEEN MCDARGH'S
Resiliency Report
Published monthly and when the mood strikes.

Update from Eileen
The year that just ended was filled with far too much anger, hatred, threats, name-calling, and violence. I am calling a stop to all within my sphere of influence… beginning with me. While I think I am kind and loving, I find myself shouting at the news and using language my mother would have punished me for saying.
So, while I will continue working to save this fragile democracy, I am restricting my news intake. I do not watch television, and I have unsubscribed from most posts. I will continue to run, smile at everyone I meet, pet dogs, and take lemon cakes to households that need cheer.
How about you? What do you resolve to work on in 2025?
While you are considering, I wish all my dear readers health, happiness, and humor! The latter is vital. It keeps one from crying ☺.



TAKE the Decent Human Being Test
Give yourself a grade from 1-4.
Never
Sometimes
Most of the Time
Always
A decent human is kind and compassionate to others and refuses to name-call, bully, demean, or degrade.
A decent human being seeks to help others, not just herself.
A decent human being admits mistakes, seeks to improve, shares knowledge, and seeks it from others.
A decent human disagrees with her strongest opponent but figures out how to work with them.
A decent human knows when to decline work that doesn’t jeopardize their sense of ethics.
A decent human being has integrity and respect for others.
A decent human also cares for this planet in all its many varieties.
So, how did you rate it? Where might be your next frontiers of growth?
January Resiliency
January 2025
The Dance Of The Starlings
One of life‘s most wondrous and joyful expressions is the flocking of starlings, murmuration when thousands of individual birds become a sensuous, unending expression of harmony and beauty.
Starlings "dance" in the sky, a phenomenon called a murmuration, primarily as a defense mechanism against predators, where the complex, swirling movements of a large flock confuse potential attackers and make it challenging to target a single bird; essentially, safety in numbers by creating a seemingly chaotic mass that is hard to navigate through.
Hmmm… something for us to learn? You can see them in the video below:
Famous Mother Moments
Paul Revere's Mother: "I don't care where you think you must go, young man. Midnight is past your curfew."
Michelangelo's Mother: "Mike, can't you paint on walls like other children? Do you know how hard it is to get that stuff off the ceiling?"
Goldilocks’ Mother: "I've got a bill here for a busted chair from the Bear family. You know anything about this Goldie?"

The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times by Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams
One look at the headlines—worsening climate crisis, loss of biodiversity, political upheaval, warring factions—and it’s hard to feel optimistic. But hope has never been more desperately needed.
Jane Goodall, the world’s most renowned living naturalist, and Douglas Abrams, bestselling co-author of The Book of Joy, are stepping into this troubled world. In this candid and inspiring account, Jane shares how she became a messenger of hope. Jane offers profound personal insights from her experiences living through WWII to her groundbreaking years in Africa and the difficult decision to leave her beloved chimpanzees to advocate for environmental justice worldwide. She explores what it truly means to be human and how we can hold onto hope in adversity.
Indeed, this is a must-read book for anyone seeking encouragement and hope.

Auld Lang Syne—What Does it Mean?
This is a Scottish song that the English-speaking world traditionally sings at midnight on December 31 to bid farewell to the old years. Although Robert Burns wrote it in 1788, it is based on an older Scottish folk song.
The title may be translated as “old long since” or “long long ago,” followed by the admonition to drink a cup of kindness and not forget people from the past. We should sing to remember what is good about departed family and friends and celebrate our living friends.
Of course, being a Scot-Irish lass, I will sing it often ☺
How to Boost Psychological Resilience
Recent studies have emphasized the importance of building psychological resilience to cope with stress, anxiety, and trauma. A 2023 study published in the Journal of Psychological Resilience found that people who practice mindfulness, social connectedness, and emotional regulation techniques are likelier to exhibit greater resilience in the face of stress.
According to research from the American Psychological Association, in 2023, people who engage in regular physical exercise reported a 30-40% higher stress resilience than those who do not. EXERCISE!!!!! Who knew it was the answer?
If Very Different Animal Species Can Love, Why Can’t We?
Watch, smile, AND emulate! And in case you need more to smile about, click here.

About Eileen
If you are looking for a unique keynote speaker in resiliency, a facilitator for executive retreats, a speech coach or an emcee/moderator, then you want to work with Eileen McDargh, CSP, CPAE. Eileen has spoken for audiences as large as 15,000 and facilitated groups as small as 18! She is the author of seven books and other products that you can find in her online store. The British Research firm of Global Gurus ranked her #4 among the top 30 communication gurus worldwide. Why not hire Eileen for your next event?

Ranked 3rd!

This is the 6th year in a row that I have been ranked in the top 5 in communication. Global Gurus surveys some 26,000 business professionals to determine rankings plus professionals also vote.
Dear Friends,
It’s that time of year again to vote for Global Gurus in various categories. I’ve been in the top 5 of Communication Gurus for many years. Global Gurus is a British research firm that goes out to some 20,000 people to determine standing.
Click below to nominate me as inspirational. It might ask you to log in using either Linked in or Google. You are asked to log in to assure people can only vote once. You’ll then see my face pop up along with other nominees. Select and then near the bottom, you can rank me as “inspirational ”or not.
Please let me know if this works. You are all the best.
Many thanks. I am most grateful for YOU!!!!!

